2018 Hyundai Elantra: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Engine · TX

While the car is in drive, it would power off in the middle of driving. Took the car to repair and advised regarding the engine. My safety was at risk because I loss power to operation the car in the middle of traffic, which could have called an accident for myself and others. The problem have been confirmed a repair shop. No, the manufacture stated since my vin # is not included in their recall, it will not be cover but clearly its something wrong with the car. When the engine light came on, I took it to the repair shop and was advised regarding the engine.

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Engine · WI

The engine in my 2018 Hyundai Elantra suffered a sudden internal failure at 118,444 miles. The vehicle began knocking, losing power, and running roughly. A dealership inspection confirmed heavy scoring on cylinders 1, 3, and 4, oil intrusion into the cylinders, and piston top slapping. The engine is not repairable and requires full replacement. This failure matches the known defect pattern of Hyundai’s Nu 2.0L MPI engine, which has widespread issues with piston ring wear, oil consumption, cylinder scoring, and internal mechanical failure. The failure occurred without warning/messages and created a safety hazard due to loss of power while driving. My VIN is not included in any recall, but the defect is identical to other Hyundai engine failures that have resulted in recalls and investigations. I am reporting this because the engine failure appears to be part of a larger safety‑related defect affecting this engine family.

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Electrical · PA

Alarming rate of oil consumption causes sudden loss of power / acceleration which definitely increases probably of causing an accident. Local repair shop confirmed extremely low oil level with no evidence of where oil went shortly after oil change and annual safety inspection. All the dashboard warning lights came on when it happened but low oil warning light came on prior to event. No warning whatsoever, just sudden loss of power and completely lit up dashboard.

Filed May 22, 2026 · Engine · AZ

Engine has consumed an alarming rate of oil for years. I brought to a mechanic and they performed a $2,600 repair on engine. It ran fine for while and got much worse with oil consumption to the point that I needing to add oil monthly. It has been difficult to keep up on keeping enough oil in car and engine has now sustained damaged. There is no ticking or noise, but there is a loss of power and sometimes, the engine runs rough. I continue to drive it and add oil. But I have researched this is an apparent problem with the elantra.

Filed Jun 8, 2025 · Engine · TX

I am filing this Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ) regarding critical safety defects in my 2018 Hyundai Elantra related to: - Recurrent ignition coil pack failures (3 replacements since 10/2018) - Engine stalling at low speeds (6 incidents since 10/2018) - Dealer refusal to apply TSB 20-01-008H ECM update despite matching symptoms Technical Background: Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 20-01-008H (February 2020) specifically addresses: - Misfire detection logic flaws in 2018-2019 Elantra 2.0L engines - Required ECM software update (ROM ID AD8SP2AS673D) - Updated ignition coils (P/N 27300-2E601) Safety Incidents: 2025: Stalling event at 25 mph approaching traffic light (no crash) 2021, 2023, 2024: Multiple misfire codes (P0300-P0304) with check engine light Dealer Interactions: - Round Rock Hyundai refused ECM update on 05/2025 claiming "VIN not in campaign" - Round Rock Hyundai refused coil replacements on 05/2025 claiming not under warranty - Service advisor acknowledged stalling/coil failure pattern matches TSB criteria Formal Requests: - Investigate Hyundai's VIN filtering for TSB 20-01-008H applicability Require Hyundai to: - Perform ECM software update per TSB specifications - Replace all coils with updated P/N 27300-2E601 - Reimburse previous coil replacement costs $1700 (6 coils over 7 years) - Open recall investigation for 2018 Elantra ignition systems Attachments available upon request. I authorize the federal safety agency to share my contact information with Hyundai Motor America. This defect creates unreasonable safety risks through sudden power loss and compromised vehicle control.

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Engine · ME

My car lost power on a busy highway which almost caused a tractor trailer to rear end me. I had the car towed and the mechanic said the engine is bad because of issues with this engine losing oil quickly and there is no recall on it but on other years. Now I have no car but still owe money on it and can’t get to work. Luckily i wasn’t hit by the tractor trailer but this should be a recall and i should be able to get it fixed without being out thousands of dollars.

Filed Oct 26, 2024 · Steering · PA

My car's steering wheel is making a weird rubbing noise after driving for a short time on wet roads. It sounds like rubber is being turned against something (ie not metallic-sounding) This occurs whether I am in park, drive, reverse, and occurs when turning the wheel in any direction. No warning lights turn on. Currently, it only occurs after driving on wet roads (it doesn't actually have to be actively raining; just for the roads to be pretty wet from a recent rain). My mechanic did hear it one time when I was able to drive over immediately after it rained, and said it sounded like it was coming from the area of the MDPS, but, was later unable to duplicate it (the sound usually goes away after sitting for 2-3 hours). I've contacted the dealer because there are numerous TSBs out regarding the steering column; however, they said since they can't duplicate it, they will not repair it under warranty or as a courtesy (the jury is out as to whether it is covered under my drive-train warranty, but, as I said, since it's only a TSB, they won't cover it anyway at this point). I am concerned it will get worse and cause me to lose power steering/cause an accident.

Filed Dec 31, 2023 · Engine · MN

I noticed around 100,000 miles that my car was going through oil when I heard a ticking in the engine. I pulled over and checked and there was no oil on the dipstick. No warning lights or nothing. I just kept adding oil after that and thinking that I will never buy another Hyundai again but never thinking my engine would fail full of oil. In June of 2023 my car lost power just as I got off the freeway. Thankfully it happened just as I got out of rush hour traffic otherwise it could have caused an accident. I had it towed home and the repair shop said my engine failed. I had it towed to a dealer and they confirmed that the engine failed. After many email and phone discussions with the dealership and Hyundai, they said they would cover 50% and then 70% of the repairs. The repair shop in town said this was common in Hyundai's and after checking online I found out that this has been an issue for 6 years before my car was built so Hyundai KNOWINGLY put a defective motor in my car. I have 149,000 miles on it but I still had over a year left to pay on it. just to get it moving I accepted the 70% and 9/27/23 I received an email saying it was done. The same day I received another email saying that they were wrong and it needed another part but should be ready early October. 3 months later I still have no car. I had to use an old truck I have that gets half the mpg. I've been paying insurance and payments on a car I don't have and don't want back. A page on Facebook, Engine Failure Kia/Hyundai describes many people's frustration with the same issue. When most get their car back, the engine fails again. I drive 110 miles a day just for work and its freeway 95% of the drive. If I have to drive in rush hour and my engine fails again, it could be disastrous. I want the dealer to buy my car back with compensation for lost money. I should not be forced to drive something that is a proven hazard on the road. I can mail all pertaining documents if needed. I can't scan them.

Filed Feb 2, 2023 · Engine · OH

I fill up my oil at regular service intervals. When i drive my car after 3500 miles if i turn the engine stalls. This is dangerous due to loss of power. This has happened multiple times.

Filed Jun 16, 2022 · Engine · TX

Multiple events of engine shutoff while driving. This results in loss of power braking, power steering and any acceleration. This occurs both at highway and non-highway speeds. This is obviously a safety concern, as, until the engine is restarted, there is difficulty in safely manuevering the vehicle. The engine may or may not be immediately able to restart. This occurs with the vehicle in gear during normal driving conditions (IE, driving at a steady speed on flat road) This is accompanied by multiple CEL faults relating to CCV timing, engine misfire, etc. This was a known issue in prior engine revision (Theta 2.0L), and appears to be subject to a recall of the same engine (Nu 2.0L) in other models. This vehicle was taken to the local dealer and confirmed to need an engine replacement with a similar failure mechanism as the Theta 2.0L (failed lubrication of pistons resulting in premature wear leading to early failure resulting in misfire/"piston slap")

Filed May 28, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · TN

no warning at all the engine blew apart sling oil in the road car lost all power I was turning into the drive way or about too when this happened I had to clean the road way and tow the vehical home hundyai would not help I cannot get help from hundyai dealer which told me it would be 3 months becor they could look at it or pay for it to be towed to Memphis

Filed Apr 26, 2020 · Engine · 20 miles · CA

In february 16 driving in freeway at 67 miles and the engine light come on at 10468 and blinks while driving the engine loss some of power and pulled over turn off the engine and attempted to star engine and took 5 cranks to start engine next day february 17 take to dealer and the dealership tool me no faults codes in the system before toke to dealership use scanners have 2 generics codes po128 (termostart no open properly) the other code no posible yo read due to limited scanner . The dealer the dealership the add b 90c042r1 elantra ECM software update (20-01-008h and no more details about the codes o the update in saturday's april 18 2020 at 9:10 am the engine light come on again this case no engine loss of power appears go home and recheck the codes and same codes at mileage 11539