IllustrationI financed my 2014 Elantra a few months ago in September and this engine is failing
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
46 reportsThe car randomly caught fire while driving on the highway.
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle then inadvertently stalled. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to rest…
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The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle then inadvertently stalled. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road with assistance. The contact stated that the battery was jumped but the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact became aware of an unknown recall for rod bearings failure and the vehicle was towed to the dealer for the recall repair; however, upon inspecting the vehicle, the dealer informed the contact that her vehicle did not need the recall repair as the rod bearings had not completely failed. The contact also stated that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle onto the ground and the steering wheel was shaking while driving. The dealer diagnosed that the valve, the alternator, and the head gasket needed to be replaced. The alternator was replaced; however, the vehicle was not completely repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer also referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
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.
I GOT A TUNE UP ON MY CAR THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE MISFIRE IN MY ENGINE COILS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SOME TIMES WHEN I CRANK MY CAR THE ENGINE WILL TRY TO START BUT MAKES A CONSTANT SPUTTER AND THEN I CUT IT OFF I HAVE TO LET IT SIT FOR AN HOUR AND THEN TRY TO CRANK IT AGAIN TO SEEE…
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I GOT A TUNE UP ON MY CAR THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE MISFIRE IN MY ENGINE COILS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SOME TIMES WHEN I CRANK MY CAR THE ENGINE WILL TRY TO START BUT MAKES A CONSTANT SPUTTER AND THEN I CUT IT OFF I HAVE TO LET IT SIT FOR AN HOUR AND THEN TRY TO CRANK IT AGAIN TO SEEE IF IT WILL START. MY BATTERY, STARTER, AND ALTERNATOR ARE GOOD.
THE SUNGLASS HOLDER ON THE CEILING REPEATEDLY BREAKS AND HANGS DOWN BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. LESS THAN A YEAR OR 2 AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, THE CLASP WHICH HOLDS THE SUNGLASS HOLDER UP BROKE. I'VE HAD IT REPLACED 2 OR 3 TIMES NOW AND IT NEVER LASTS MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OR A YEAR BEFORE IT STARTS FALLING AGAIN. IT STARTS …
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THE SUNGLASS HOLDER ON THE CEILING REPEATEDLY BREAKS AND HANGS DOWN BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. LESS THAN A YEAR OR 2 AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, THE CLASP WHICH HOLDS THE SUNGLASS HOLDER UP BROKE. I'VE HAD IT REPLACED 2 OR 3 TIMES NOW AND IT NEVER LASTS MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OR A YEAR BEFORE IT STARTS FALLING AGAIN. IT STARTS JUST FALLING WHEN I HIT A BUMP AND THEN WON'T STAY UP AT ALL. NOW THAT MY CAR IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY, HYUNDAI IS TELLING ME IT'LL COST $420 TO FIX SO WE'VE KEPT IT DUCT TAPED UP SO THAT WE CAN SEE OUT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS SOMETIMES WORKS IN THE WINTER, BUT IN THE FLORIDA HEAT, EVEN THE STRONGEST GORILLA TAPE MELTS AND DOESN'T STAY UP FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES AT A TIME.
MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND IT EATS OIL . MY DAUGHTER IN BETWEENNOIL CHANGES HAD TO PUT 2 QUARTS IN THE CAR. WE USE SYNTHETIC OIL . THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SOME TIME NOW TILL I TOLD MY FAMILY AND THEY MENTIONED HYUNDAI HAD A RECALL. I DONT SEE ONE FOR MY CAR BUT THERE OBVIOUSLY IS AN ISSUE.
BRAKE PEDAL STOP PAD BROKE, PIECES FOUND ON THE FLOOR BOARD. TRACTION ON THE 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WAS TURNED ON AND MADE THE CAR DIFFICULT TO BRAKE AND STOP. BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON COMPLETELY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PARTS ARE NOT SOLD IN PART STORE FOR REPLACING.
HYNDAI DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED ON MULTIPLE OCCASION'S TO PERFORM THE RECALL AT A TIME THAT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE. I GAVE THEM MANY OPPERTUNITIES TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE AT TIMES I CAN BRING THE CAR TO THEM AND GHEY ARE REFUSING. THEY HAVE EVEN REUSED EVERYDAY UNTIL SEPT 30. AND ANY WEEKEND AFTER THAT OR AFTER 7 PM.
WHENEVER I USE THE AIR CONDITIONER OR VENTILATION THERE'S AN OVERWHELMING SMEL OF MOLD. THIS OCCURS IN STATIONARY AND WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION.
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.