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2018 Hyundai Elantra Lights Problems

8 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

8
Complaints
Jan 2018Oct 2018
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (8)

highEXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Oct 2025

Your passenger side brake light keeps going out even though it's been replaced twice. This could indicate a wiring issue, a faulty socket, or a problem with the electrical connection rather than just a bad bulb. You should have a mechanic inspect the brake light wiring and socket to find the underlying cause.

NHTSA #: 11694695
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2026

Your brake lights are working properly, but your dashboard keeps displaying a "Check rear brake light" warning message on and off. This appears to be a sensor or wiring issue rather than a problem with the actual light bulb. The fix will likely involve diagnosing and replacing the brake light sensor or repairing the wiring circuit that triggers the warning.

NHTSA #: 11709714
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE
Filed: Oct 2022

My headlights on left side (low beam)and right side (high beam) have each burned out three times. My high mounted brake light has been replaced at least five times as well as my left and right brake lights. Now both of my tag lights went out and a right tail light. Also brakes keep grinding even after I replaced pads and rotors and NTB National Tire is telling me it’s in electrical braking system or calipers. My car had 94,000 miles on it and I’ve never had any car have caliper problems with low mileage.

NHTSA #: 11491405
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2022

While driving at night the headlights turn off. The headlights are set to auto at all times. The headlights will come back on when the switch is moved to the on position. This occurs almost nightly.

NHTSA #: 11474962
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2022

Starting summer 2021, we began having an issue with the parking lights randomly coming on and off when the car is parked (engine off and car locked). The dealer could not duplicate the issue and therefore did not repair anything. The car went to college with our daughter and mostly sat parked and was rarely checked on. Now that she is home for the summer, we are again aware of the problem. The safety issue began on Saturday June 18, 2022 when the headlights spontaneously turned off while driving at night on a dark road. TWICE! I am trying to work through the local dealer to remedy the issue; however, they say there is no known issue. In the meantime, I am reporting it here. My daughter was able to get the headlights to turn back on by turning the control knob until they came on. Other details: The headlight control is always in the Auto position. The steering column has had two prior warranty repairs. The first time it was completely replaced. The second, they did some other repair that I am unsure of the details. Given the wiring goes through the steering column I can't help but wonder if it is somehow related. The dealer of course says it is not.

NHTSA #: 11471865
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2020

THE REAR LIGHTS, BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS , BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHT WIRING HAS MELTED. HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE!!

NHTSA #: 11362914
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2018

ON 10/13/2018 I TURNED IGNITION ON CAR TO START AND THE CAR BEGAN RUMBLING AND BUMPING AND THE SHUT DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS STATIONARY IN MY PARKING SPACE AT HOME WHEN THIS HAPPEN...IT ALSO BEGAN BUMPING AND DRAGGING IF TO SHUT DOWN AGAIN ON 10/20/2018. EACH TIME CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP..NEXT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN BLANK WHILE DRIVING ON 10/20/2018. NOW THIS TIME IT WAS DRIVEN TO DEALER, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE MAL FUNCTION. THIS WAS ON 10/23/2018 AND 10/29/2018 AT LYNNES HYUNDAI..ON 10/16/2018 VECHICLE WAS TOWED TO HUDSON HYUNDAI FOR THE SAME BUMPING. THEY SAID THE TECH FOUND A SHORTAGE IGNITION COIL AND A CYLINDER MISFIRED AND HE CLEARED THE CODES. COMING HOME FROM LYNNES ON 10/29/18 AFTER THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR, IT BEGAN TO RUMBLE AGAIN. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR. WHAT IF YOUR IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC AND IT SHUTS DOWN AND YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES BLACK.COULD BE A TRAGEDY, IF NOT SOMEONE'S DEATH

NHTSA #: 11144561
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2018

THE HEADLIGHTS BEAMS HARDLY REACH ACROSS AN INTERSECTION.. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE ROAD SIGNS LIKE SPEED LIMIT, AND STREET NAME SIGNS.. ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE ON RURAL ROADS THAT HAVE DIPS IN THEM UNLESS YOUR SLOW DOWN TO 15MPH (NOT GOOD WHEN THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45 ON THESE ROADS.... THE HEADLIGHTS DISAPPEAR ON SUBURBAN STREETS AS WELL... THE FIRST IMAGE THERE ARE TWO STOP SIGNS .. ..YOU CAN SEE THE POST THEY ARE ON BUT CAN YOU SEE THE SIGNS ? THE SECOND IMAGE SHOWS THE BEAMS OF THE CAR ON A FENCE .. THE CAR IS PARKED 26' AWAY FROM A 74" HIGH FENCE IM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT NIGHT.... YOU CANT SEE STOP SIGNS.. YOU CAN SEE THE LEGS OF PEDESTRIANS BUT NOT THEIR TORSOS

NHTSA #: 11060983

Other 2018 Hyundai Elantra Issues