I woke up to my neighbor banging on my door that my car was on fire. My car was in flames. The fire department had already been called. The entire front of my car as well as the interior was completely destroyed.
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
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.
Engine complaints
163 reportsOn XXX the vehicle stalled on a busy road, with no warning/ messages appearing until the car died. It was left at Dakota K Auto Repair in Buffalo Grove, IL the same day. They replicated the stalling issue four times, but were unable to diagnose the issue. The vehicle was then brought to Hyundai Auto Nation O'Hare in Des Plaines,…
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On XXX the vehicle stalled on a busy road, with no warning/ messages appearing until the car died. It was left at Dakota K Auto Repair in Buffalo Grove, IL the same day. They replicated the stalling issue four times, but were unable to diagnose the issue. The vehicle was then brought to Hyundai Auto Nation O'Hare in Des Plaines, IL on XXX. The vehicle stalled twice while they drove it. On XXX their diagnosis stated the timing chain system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to Arlington Performance Center in Arlington Heights, IL and on XXX they added there was also engine failure which needed replacement. The vehicle was purchased from Patrick Hyundai in [XXX] on XXX and has 101,876 miles on it. It is available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am writing to formally log a safety defect complaint regarding a severe mechanical failure in my 2014 Hyundai Elantra, equipped with the Nu 1.8L engine. The vehicle has been professionally diagnosed with severe internal engine knocking stemming from catastrophic piston slap, a manufacturing defect inherent to this engine famil…
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I am writing to formally log a safety defect complaint regarding a severe mechanical failure in my 2014 Hyundai Elantra, equipped with the Nu 1.8L engine. The vehicle has been professionally diagnosed with severe internal engine knocking stemming from catastrophic piston slap, a manufacturing defect inherent to this engine family block that causes premature cylinder wall scuffing, piston ring degradation, and unmetered oil loss. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has previously acknowledged that manufacturing issues in Hyundai engine blocks can cause rotating internal components to fail, leading directly to sudden, un-alerted engine stalling at highway speeds, a severe and immediate safety hazard to drivers, passengers, and surrounding traffic. Despite this being a well-documented mechanical defect (originally addressed under the [XXX] , et al. v. Hyundai Motor America Class Action Settlement / Service Campaign TXXK), Hyundai Motor America is currently refusing to remedy this hazardous component. The manufacturer has repeatedly denied corporate assistance based strictly on an arbitrary calendar timeline (stating the vehicle has passed the 10-year settlement window). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle was parked and turned off in a residential driveway when a fire spontaneously ignited in the engine compartment. There were no warning lights, unusual sounds, or symptoms prior to the incident. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire using dry chemical suppressant and water. The vehicle was a total loss.…
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Vehicle was parked and turned off in a residential driveway when a fire spontaneously ignited in the engine compartment. There were no warning lights, unusual sounds, or symptoms prior to the incident. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire using dry chemical suppressant and water. The vehicle was a total loss. The fire appears to have originated in the front engine compartment area. The vehicle was not involved in a collision. The vehicle has a 1.8L Nu DOHC engine and 4-wheel ABS system. This vehicle falls under known NHTSA recalls and class action litigation related to spontaneous engine fires in Hyundai Elantra vehicles, including issues related to defective ABS/HECU modules and engine defects associated with the Nu engine series.
The 2.0L Nu GDI engine in this vehicle is experiencing terminal internal failure. Following a P1326 KSDS warning event, a borescope inspection at an authorized dealership documented severe cylinder wall scoring in all four cylinders. Despite this documented internal block destruction, the manufacturer has denied the mandated set…
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The 2.0L Nu GDI engine in this vehicle is experiencing terminal internal failure. Following a P1326 KSDS warning event, a borescope inspection at an authorized dealership documented severe cylinder wall scoring in all four cylinders. Despite this documented internal block destruction, the manufacturer has denied the mandated settlement warranty repair based on a software-based proxy test (BCT). The vehicle was returned in an unsafe condition and is currently stalling and vibrating violently while in traffic, posing an immediate risk of loss of power and traffic collision. The manufacturer is ignoring the documented physical failure of a core engine component.
the car only has 76000 miles on it. there are no check engine lights and the oil has always been perfect and changed on time. There is a known issue apparently with Piston slap that will lead to engine failure. Hyundai refuses to replace the engine, knowing the issue. Driving it puts my safety and others at risk. the Hyundai de…
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the car only has 76000 miles on it. there are no check engine lights and the oil has always been perfect and changed on time. There is a known issue apparently with Piston slap that will lead to engine failure. Hyundai refuses to replace the engine, knowing the issue. Driving it puts my safety and others at risk. the Hyundai dealership in Merriam KS has confirmed the issue.
Noticed symptoms about a week before I had it towed to a garage for what I thought was a timing chain tensioner, Tech scoped it and found out it was much worse.
Engine is burning too hot its burning though oil. Oil change sept 3rd 2025 and by nov 7 2025 car had NO OIL. this is an oil burn off issue with the sport engine in this model Elantra. i cannot get an oil change every month. that is ridiculous. this time it caused my car to have flashing engine light due to insanely low oil after…
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Engine is burning too hot its burning though oil. Oil change sept 3rd 2025 and by nov 7 2025 car had NO OIL. this is an oil burn off issue with the sport engine in this model Elantra. i cannot get an oil change every month. that is ridiculous. this time it caused my car to have flashing engine light due to insanely low oil after just TWO MONTHS. i only drive 60 miles a day. shop told me in april15 20205 i had an oil leak and they fixed it, resealed again in july cuz the oil was still going low. now they told me nov 11th they did a test and the engine is running too hot and is burning off the oil.
The vehicle caught fire while it was in motion; there were loud bangs and a lot of noise, and smoke started coming out of the front, and the engine and the undercarriage caught fire.I managed to turn it off, but when they were towing it, the mechanics did the diagnostic and found wires were faulty and damaged the engine.
I started to see the oil light on the dashboard and i heard a hard sound from the engine so that i changed the oil then after a couple days i saw the light again on with a little bit high temperature, so stooped by a gas station and i added some more oil after i shut the car off and waited to cool the engine down and i started t…
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I started to see the oil light on the dashboard and i heard a hard sound from the engine so that i changed the oil then after a couple days i saw the light again on with a little bit high temperature, so stooped by a gas station and i added some more oil after i shut the car off and waited to cool the engine down and i started the car, the oil light was gone and the engine sound was smoother then i started to get the same issue every couple days and i used to fix it the same way and I've had the same experience with my previous car which was the same brand but different year band model which i found a recall on the engine after it blown and the agency or the manufacturer changed the engine for free for that car and the current car has the same issues and it's included in the year range for that recall which from 2012 to 2019, that scares me because i drive everyday for rideshare and that can be dangerous for me and my clients who ride with me, also some of them stopped calling me for rides once they knew about that issue. And today i noticed the car beep which i used to hear when i lock the car with the remote has stopped too.
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.
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