← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
1 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR JUST STOPPED AND I RECEIVED A CALL AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS OUT!

NHTSA ODI #11232618

85,000 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

VEHICLE AIR BAGS SYSTEMS JUST WENT OUT. ALSO MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING EITHER

NHTSA ODI #11231857

71,000 miles · Jan 6, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineStructureCrashInjury

TAKATA RECALL ON 9/23/2018, ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER A RAINSTORM (CAR WAS GARAGED DURING STORM) MY CAR WAS IN MOTION AT 40 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE ON A CURVE OF A SOUTHBOUND INTERSTATE EXIT I275. THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT SIDEWAYS, AND BEGAN FISHTAILING. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BREAKS BUT THEY WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE THEN SMASHED THE FRO…

Read full complaint

TAKATA RECALL ON 9/23/2018, ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER A RAINSTORM (CAR WAS GARAGED DURING STORM) MY CAR WAS IN MOTION AT 40 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE ON A CURVE OF A SOUTHBOUND INTERSTATE EXIT I275. THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT SIDEWAYS, AND BEGAN FISHTAILING. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BREAKS BUT THEY WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE THEN SMASHED THE FRONT SIDE OF BUMPER INTO THE GUARD RAIL, AND PUSHED ME ACROSS TWO TRAFFIC LANES. THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE RIGHT LANE, FACING NORTH IN A SOUTHBOUND EXIT. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE TO GET INTO THE SHOULDER, AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE HAD SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FAILED THE ENGINE, OR WHY IT SHUT OFF. HYUNDAI CORPORATE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OPENED A CASE, AND PERFORMED A FULL INSPECTION. ON 11/12/18 HYUNDAI CLAIMED "WE CANNOT AGREE THAT THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED A PRODUCT DEFECT AND ARE DECLINING ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE." A THIRD PARTY MECHANIC WAS THEN CONTACTED, AND FOUND CODE C1555 AND A FAILING VVTI CYLINOID. THERE IS NO RECALL. THERE IS NO WAY TO PROVE THIS CAR IS UNSAFE WITH THE ROUTES I HAVE TAKEN SO FAR. I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS ANSWER. THE ENGINE OF THIS CAR SHUT OFF AND COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. IT IS ALSO TERRIFYING TO THINK ABOUT WHO WOULD TO BE BLAMED FOR SUCH A FATAL OR DANGEROUS ACCIDENT SINCE HYUNDAI "COULDN'T FIND ANY DEFECT." I ASKED FOR RESULTS OF THE SCAN AND THE CASE MANAGER, CHRISTINA REPLIED THAT I AM NOT AUTHORIZED TO SEE THEM, FOR "RESULTS ARE FOR PROPRIETARY USE ONLY." THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR RISKY PRODUCT!

NHTSA ODI #11165490

56,000 miles · Jul 7, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLICKERED AND SPEED STARTED TO DECREASE TO AROUND 40 MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR I BEGAN TO DRIVE AGAIN AND THE LIGHT FLICKERED MORE WHILE DRIVING. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND WARM. NO WET ROADS. THIS…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLICKERED AND SPEED STARTED TO DECREASE TO AROUND 40 MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER I RESTARTED THE CAR I BEGAN TO DRIVE AGAIN AND THE LIGHT FLICKERED MORE WHILE DRIVING. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND WARM. NO WET ROADS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. EACH TIME HAS BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE.

NHTSA ODI #11110022

54,000 miles · May 23, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON FOR OVER 30 SECONDS AND DRASTICALLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO UNDER 20MPH. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE COMPLETELY DRY AND ROAD SURFACE WAS SMOOTH. HAZARD LIGHTS WERE PUT ON TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS FROM POSSIBLE COLLISION AND I PULLED OVER. THIS HAS HAPPE…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON FOR OVER 30 SECONDS AND DRASTICALLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE TO UNDER 20MPH. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE COMPLETELY DRY AND ROAD SURFACE WAS SMOOTH. HAZARD LIGHTS WERE PUT ON TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS FROM POSSIBLE COLLISION AND I PULLED OVER. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS IN A 3 WEEK PERIOD. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID NO CODES CAME UP AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE DESCRIBED PROBLEM. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2011-2012 FOR SIMILAR ISSUE ON SAME MAKE AND MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #10991263

22,000 miles · Jan 10, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesCrash

THE ESC (TRACTION CONTROL) RANDOMLY COMES ON WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON STRAIGHT, LEVEL, DRY ROADS (OFTEN ON INTERSTATES). SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHTS ALSO LIGHT UP. BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND POWER TO THE ENGINE IS SUSPENDED MAKING THE CAN NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL PROPERLY. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NOW UNDER WARRA…

Read full complaint

THE ESC (TRACTION CONTROL) RANDOMLY COMES ON WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON STRAIGHT, LEVEL, DRY ROADS (OFTEN ON INTERSTATES). SOMETIMES THE ABS LIGHTS ALSO LIGHT UP. BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND POWER TO THE ENGINE IS SUSPENDED MAKING THE CAN NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL PROPERLY. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NOW UNDER WARRANTY FOR OVER 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS AND THE DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI CANNOT DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. AFTER REPEATED REQUESTS TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE ASKED HYUNDAI TO DETERMINE THE RELEVANCE OF THIS REPEATED MALFUNCTION IN THE ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP QUICKLY ENOUGH TO AVOID ANOTHER MOTORIST. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 20,185 MILES ON IT AND CURRENTLY HAS AROUND 22K MILES AND IS UNDER A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10944056

37,000 miles · Aug 1, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

AFTER LESS THAN 2 YEARS, THE CAR BATTERY DIES AND DISABLES THE CONTROL OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND YEAR. MANY CUSTOMERS, ACCORDING TO REVIEWS, SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD THE BATTERY FALTER WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, SERIOUS ACCIDENTS COULD RESULT. MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A SLOW PACE IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE BATTERY…

Read full complaint

AFTER LESS THAN 2 YEARS, THE CAR BATTERY DIES AND DISABLES THE CONTROL OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND YEAR. MANY CUSTOMERS, ACCORDING TO REVIEWS, SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD THE BATTERY FALTER WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, SERIOUS ACCIDENTS COULD RESULT. MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A SLOW PACE IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THE BATTERY TO DIE AS IT IS ONLY ABOUT 18 MONTHS OLD. I DO NOT HAVE A PICTURE. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10892323

6,400 miles · Aug 21, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringUnknown Or Other

THE ISSUE IS WITH THE STEERING. NO POWER STEERING, VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. CALLED THE DEALER. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. 08/04/2015. DIAGNOSE: THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MAKE OF THIS CAR IS A 2014 ELANTRA GT WITH ONLY 6400 MILES. 08/21/2015 STILL WAITING ON THE PART THAT IS BA…

Read full complaint

THE ISSUE IS WITH THE STEERING. NO POWER STEERING, VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. CALLED THE DEALER. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. 08/04/2015. DIAGNOSE: THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MAKE OF THIS CAR IS A 2014 ELANTRA GT WITH ONLY 6400 MILES. 08/21/2015 STILL WAITING ON THE PART THAT IS BACK ORDER TO COME IN.

NHTSA ODI #10750407

1,580 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)CrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DECLINED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DECLINED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AFTER IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,580. UPDATED 7/7/15*CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10706092

8,080 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES, BUT YESTERDAY WAS THE LATEST. WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON (WHICH IS FOR THE ESC) AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DE-ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 35 MPH. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. THE CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND SOUNDED LIKE IT HAD A …

Read full complaint

THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES, BUT YESTERDAY WAS THE LATEST. WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON (WHICH IS FOR THE ESC) AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DE-ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 35 MPH. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. THE CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND SOUNDED LIKE IT HAD A FLAT TIRE - IT WAS HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT FINALLY RETURNED TO NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE SENSORS ON THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND TRACTION CONTROL AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG EITHER BY COMPUTER ERROR CODES OR BY VISUALLY INSPECTING THE PARTS OR SENSORS. SO, I HAVE NO RECOURSE OTHER THAN CALLING HYUNDAI AND GETTING A CASE SET UP SO THAT IT CAN BE DOCUMENTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653128

Official recalls

2

23V651000 · 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

2

AQ23002 · 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.

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems