IllustrationWhen stopping at a light or parking lot, the car seems to struggle and shuts off. When I turn the engine on, the car struggles to start up and all of the car dash board lights tend to cut off with no warning sounds. I Installed new battery, changed the oil and had a repair shop look over the car and was told nothing was found.
2014 Hyundai Elantra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Elantra years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Hyundai Elantra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Elantra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
630–25K
3225–50K
3850–75K
3275–100K
39100–150K
9150K+
213 reports with mileage · 169 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 163 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
35 crash reports15 fire reports22 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
47 reportsGood Morning, This model and year of vehicle has had so many defects. I have paid hundreds of dollars over simple vehicle factors that Hyundai Manufacturers should really assess while pushing them to the market. This mode has had many brake light defect all consisting of the electrical wiring. I have changed MANY times the Bri…
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Good Morning, This model and year of vehicle has had so many defects. I have paid hundreds of dollars over simple vehicle factors that Hyundai Manufacturers should really assess while pushing them to the market. This mode has had many brake light defect all consisting of the electrical wiring. I have changed MANY times the Brie lights bulbs only for them to blowout within a week. This is a roadway safety issue. Worse of all the ENGINE Is Faulty and the vehicles for this specific year tend to seize up or blowout due to the vehicle burning oil WAY BEFORE 3000 miles. I’ve had to change oil now every month because the engine will literally start making a screeching noise under the hood. Only to realize that the car has zero oil yet zero leaks under 1000 miles of driven. The dealership recently changed my oil and filter and after 1,500 miles I realized the engine making this noise for the 3rd time. I have now filed a complaint with their head office, to only have them dismiss me and not care for the safety of others. I am most definitely not the first person that owns this model and has been phasing with this SAFETY problem. Please help us out and investigate this matter. This is not ethical practice and we should not be worried about our safety on a manufacturing defect.
Car has shut off while driving twice. Engine was replaced in 2021 for the same issues. First incident occurred while attempting to park after driving 40mins Second incident occurred while at a red light. The car also has problems starting up.
Passing a car on the highway when the Elantra died. Pulled over on the side of the road and all service lights came on. Fire started coming up from the hood. Barely got out of the car before the entire car was engulfed in flames.
AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRIP. NO WARNING, JUST A QUICK ENGINE SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH FORCES ME TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO CRANK IT BACK UP. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURS, AND IT'S A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM.
TROUBLES WITH THE POWER/BATTERY. TROUBLES STARTED AROUND 80K MILES. AT FIRST THE BATTERY WAS A SUSPICION. A NEW BATTERY WAS BOUGHT AND THEN WE WERE TOLD A SPECIFIC BATTERY WAS NEEDED WHICH WE OBTAINED AND PUT INTO THE CAR. I AM UNSURE IF THE BATTERY IS THE ISSUE (AT THIS POINT I DON'T THINK IT IS). RECENTLY, THE CAR AT ABOUT 86K…
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TROUBLES WITH THE POWER/BATTERY. TROUBLES STARTED AROUND 80K MILES. AT FIRST THE BATTERY WAS A SUSPICION. A NEW BATTERY WAS BOUGHT AND THEN WE WERE TOLD A SPECIFIC BATTERY WAS NEEDED WHICH WE OBTAINED AND PUT INTO THE CAR. I AM UNSURE IF THE BATTERY IS THE ISSUE (AT THIS POINT I DON'T THINK IT IS). RECENTLY, THE CAR AT ABOUT 86K MILES, HAS HAD TIMES WHERE IT DOES NOT START. FOR EXAMPLE, TIMES WHERE WE GO TO THE STORE OR EVEN LEFT OVERNIGHT, THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON. NO SIGN OF LIFE AT ALL. WE WAIT A WHILE THEN TRY IT AGAIN. AFTER A WHILE, THE CAR EVENTUALLY TURNS ON BUT THERE IS NO TELLING HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE. THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHERE WE ARE DRIVING AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WILL ALL TURN ON AT ONCE THEN TURN OFF. OTHER TIMES WE WILL BE DRIVING AND THE RADIO/CLOCK SCREEN WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF AND ON AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. AT THIS POINT WE ARE WORRIED WE WILL BE STRANDED IF WE TAKE THIS CAR OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY. THE CAR HAS NOT TURNED ON WHILE AT HOME, VISITING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND AT WORK. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND RADIO FACE ACTS UP WHILE DRIVING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS EVER CAME ON.
WHEN BEING DRIVEN AND SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT, CAR DECELERATES AND STALLS, GOES TO 0 MPH. BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION. LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHEN YOUR FOOT IS OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. SIMILAR TO THE RECALL # 170. HOWEVER THIS MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RE-CALL.
CAR JUST STOPPED AND I RECEIVED A CALL AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS OUT!
WHEN I START MY CAR ON A DAILY BASIS IT WORKS PERFECTLY FINE. SUDDENLY ILL GO OUT TO START MY CAR AND ITS NOT STARTING AFTER REPLACING THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS, BATTERY, STARTER AND MORE. IVE GOT MY CAR PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AT THE ACTUAL DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS NOTHING SHOWN. IVE HAD MY CAR TOWED TWO TIMES TO DIFFERENT DEALER…
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WHEN I START MY CAR ON A DAILY BASIS IT WORKS PERFECTLY FINE. SUDDENLY ILL GO OUT TO START MY CAR AND ITS NOT STARTING AFTER REPLACING THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS, BATTERY, STARTER AND MORE. IVE GOT MY CAR PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AT THE ACTUAL DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS NOTHING SHOWN. IVE HAD MY CAR TOWED TWO TIMES TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND IVE MANAGED TO FIND THE ISSUE WHICH AFTER REASEARCHING AS WELL THAT THE "RANGE SWITCH" COULD BE THE PROBLEM OR "SHIFT INTERLOCK". SOMETIMES IT WILL START AND SOMETIMES IT WONT START AT TIMES UNTIL I HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED THESE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MY EVERYDAY LIFE GETTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND WITH A CHILD! ITS STRESSFUL! IT DOESN'T MATTER IF ITS HOT OR COLD OUTSIDE THE CAR WILL NOT START CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR.
Official recalls
223V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Sep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
17V769000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Nov 30, 2017
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.