HyundaiELANTRA AD2018Overview/hyundai/elantra-ad/2018/base/

2018 Hyundai ELANTRA AD

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Elantra.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra presents as a passenger car specified with a 4.2-quart oil capacity accepting 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-30 API grades, and its reliability record shows 274 total owner complaints with the engine category leading the tally despite zero recalls issued. Placed against the model's complaint history spanning 1992 through 2026, the 2018 figure sits well below the 2013 peak of 1,325 complaints but remains above the 2025 low of 21, positioning this model year in the lower-middle tier of the nameplate's long-term data. That placement suggests a comparatively stable entry in the Elantra lineage, with the engine-focused complaint pattern warranting attention even in the absence of formal recall actions.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 60 O.E. AmpHrs CCA battery, OE oil filter 2630035505. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 60 O.E. AmpHrs CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter2630035505
Fuel filter31112B1000

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight2811 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Elantra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2018 GT Sport 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018GT Sport 5-door Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.90 sec201 hpFWD
2018GT Sport 5-door Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.00 sec201 hpFWD
2018GT Sport 5-door Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-47.20 sec15.50 sec201 hpFWD
2018GT 5-door Hatchback 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec161 hpFWD
2017Sport Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.10 sec201 hpFWD
2017Sport Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.60 sec201 hpFWD
2017Sport Sedan 1.6L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.40 sec201 hpFWD
2017Eco Sedan 1.4L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.20 sec128 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidGL-4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity6.4
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)47.0-54.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)47.7-56.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79-94 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)680 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.05-1.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.50-4.25 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance60 O.E. AmpHrs cca
Standard BCI Group Number47

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum69.6 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum72.5 psi
RPM69.6-72.5 @ Idle. rpm
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)69.6-72.5 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum290.1 High Pressure Fuel Line. psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum2175.6 High Pressure Fuel Line. psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)69.6-75.4 psi
RPM69.6

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .840; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
Maximum Drum Diameter8.079

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.0-11.0 ft. lbs.8–11 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
288.0-92.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
149.0-53.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59-6149–53 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees; Apply liquid gasket on the edge of the cylinder block and cylinder head gasket. Threebond 1217H or equivalent. Assemble the cylinder head gasket and the cylinder head within 5 minutes after applying sealant.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

19.0-12.0 ft. lbs.9–12 ft. lbs
2140 degrees-145 degrees140 degrees
3140 degrees-145 degrees; Apply liquid gasket on the edge of the cylinder block and cylinder head gasket. MS721-40AA or equivalent.140 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees; Apply liquid gasket on the edge of the cylinder block and cylinder head gasket. Threebond 1217H or equivalent. Assemble the cylinder head gasket and the cylinder head within 5 minutes after applying sealant.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
2120.0-125.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 42,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 12,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 15,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
Every 18,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 24,000 miFuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 42,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra represents a significant stabilization in quality compared to the 2017 model, which saw 759 complaints and 4 recalls, while remaining closely aligned with the 2019 model's 243 complaints. Within the broader record, the vehicle experienced high volatility and a peak in complaints in 2013, but the 2018 model falls into a downward trend of reported issues. Notably, 2018 recorded zero recalls and zero federal investigations, a stark contrast to the years immediately preceding it. While the data does not specify root causes, the primary complaint areas for this year were the engine (81) and "Unknown Or Other" (29), with 12 reported crash complaints and 7 fire complaints. Given the absence of recalls and the sharp decrease in complaints relative to 2017, this is a good year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
120
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
274
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 274 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine81
Unknown Or Other29
Structure8
Air Bags8
Steering8
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Unknown Or Other,Engine6
Power Train6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 120 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
26-BD-002H TSB2026-04-28Unknown Or OtherCertain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on…
26-BD-002H DN2026-04-28Unknown Or OtherSome Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
P33 OL2025-12-19Electrical SystemIn response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Elantra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Elantra take?

4.2 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SM, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SM, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Elantra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.