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
What owners actually said
382 reports
85,000 miles · Nov 9, 2019
Engine
AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A SIGNIFICANT KNOCKING SOUND. I PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY PERFORMED AN ENGINE DIAGNOSIS AND REMOVED THE OIL PAN TO FIND A LOT OF METAL FLAKES. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE (ENGINE WOULD LIKELY SEIZE) AND INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED T…
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AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A SIGNIFICANT KNOCKING SOUND. I PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY PERFORMED AN ENGINE DIAGNOSIS AND REMOVED THE OIL PAN TO FIND A LOT OF METAL FLAKES. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE (ENGINE WOULD LIKELY SEIZE) AND INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE REPAIR QUOTES ARE $6,500-8,500, WHICH IS ALMOST WHAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORTH BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER WOULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS REPAIR DUE TO ME BEING THE SECOND OWNER. SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES I HAVE HAD EVERY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. NO INDICATION WAS EVER GIVEN TO ME ABOUT THERE BEING METAL IN THE OIL PAN OR ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEM ARISING. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THESE ENGINES HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE, AND THE MANUFACTURER FIGHTS TOOTH-AND-NAIL TO AVOID ACKNOWLEDGING A PROBLEM OR ASSISTING WITH REPAIR COSTS FOR SECOND OWNERS -- EVEN IF WELL UNDER THE 100,000-MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY PROVIDED TO ORIGINAL OWNERS.
NHTSA ODI #11279207
40,000 miles · Oct 2, 2019
Structure
SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2014 HYUNDAI ELANYRA IT HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH LEAKING WATER TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. APPARENTLY IT'S A LEAK FROM THE AC HOSE AND IT'S CLOGGED? NOW MY FLOOR IS WEAK AND IT IS ROTTING OUT DUE TO THE WATER DAMAGE. I'VE HAD IT REPAIRED BUT IT CONTINUES TO LEAK AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF BEI…
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SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2014 HYUNDAI ELANYRA IT HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH LEAKING WATER TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. APPARENTLY IT'S A LEAK FROM THE AC HOSE AND IT'S CLOGGED? NOW MY FLOOR IS WEAK AND IT IS ROTTING OUT DUE TO THE WATER DAMAGE. I'VE HAD IT REPAIRED BUT IT CONTINUES TO LEAK AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF BEING FIXED! I'VE HAD ENOUGH!!! THE WATER ONLY FLOWS WHEN ITS MOVING AROUND ANY CORNER... NO ONE CAN SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT BECAUSE THEY GET A SHOWER EVERY FEW SECONDS!!!
NHTSA ODI #11265629
121,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
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.
NHTSA ODI #11259079
15,000 miles · Sep 19, 2019
Unknown Or Other
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.
NHTSA ODI #11256636
121,358 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Engine
I PURCHASED A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT BRAND NEW. ADMITTEDLY I PUT A LOT OF MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND IT HAD 121000 MILES. HOWEVER, I ALWAYS KEPT UP ON MY MAINTENANCE AND ALWAYS USED SYNTHETIC OIL SINCE THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. AFTER GETTING AN OIL CHANGE I WAS ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE FACILITY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST RPM AND THE SPEED…
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I PURCHASED A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT BRAND NEW. ADMITTEDLY I PUT A LOT OF MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND IT HAD 121000 MILES. HOWEVER, I ALWAYS KEPT UP ON MY MAINTENANCE AND ALWAYS USED SYNTHETIC OIL SINCE THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. AFTER GETTING AN OIL CHANGE I WAS ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE FACILITY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST RPM AND THE SPEED DECREASED. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF. NO LIGHTS CAME ON, NOT ENGINE OR OIL. I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY LOCAL GARAGE. THAT MECHANIC SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DICKSON CITY HYUNDAI. THERE, THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I BEGAN SPEAKING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY HALF OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS. MY PORTION WAS $3250. THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS THAT A VEHICLE ALWAYS MAINTAINED WOULD HAVE THE ENGINE GONE A MONTH BEFORE THE FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF PURCHASING IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI IN MY LIFE.
NHTSA ODI #11256365
40,000 miles · Aug 18, 2019
Structure
HATCH DOOR RECALL. ON HOT DAYS THE REAR SPOILER ON THE HATCH DOOR SWELLS AND AS A RESULT IT WILL STICK AND JAM PREVENTING THE REAR HATCH FROM OPENING. THE JAMMING CAUSED THE BODY TO DENT AND CHIP THE PAINT, THIS COULD RESULT IN FUTURE PRE-MATURE RUSTING OF THE BODY.
NHTSA ODI #11244785
93,532 miles · Aug 13, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ONLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE MECHANIC CLEANED ALL THE SENSOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND ONLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE MECHANIC CLEANED ALL THE SENSORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,532.
NHTSA ODI #11243598
55,000 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Power Train
BOUGHT BRAND NEW, ORIGINAL OWNER WARRANTY VERIFIED AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT 5K INTERVALS INSTEAD OF 7500 MILES DUE TO BURNING OIL WITHIN FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED OPPORTUNITIES TO INSPECT AND REPAIR FOR OTHER WARRANTABLE DEFECTS IN BACKUP CAMARA, SUNROOF, ETC. CAR OUT OF SERVICE SINCE 3-28-19, AT 550…
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BOUGHT BRAND NEW, ORIGINAL OWNER WARRANTY VERIFIED AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT 5K INTERVALS INSTEAD OF 7500 MILES DUE TO BURNING OIL WITHIN FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED OPPORTUNITIES TO INSPECT AND REPAIR FOR OTHER WARRANTABLE DEFECTS IN BACKUP CAMARA, SUNROOF, ETC. CAR OUT OF SERVICE SINCE 3-28-19, AT 55000 MILES CLUTCH ASSEMBLY RIVETS DETACHED AND POWERTRAIN FAILED CAUSING A CRACKED ROD. CAR WAS PRESENTED TO DEALER. DEALER REFUSED. HYUNDAI ASSURANCE REFUSED TOW TO NEXT DEALER WITHOUT UPFRONT PAYMENT. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL AAMCO WHERE DEFECTIVE RIVETS WERE DIAGNOSED. OEM CLUTCH WAS RETAINED FOR EVIDENCE. CAR WAS EXAMINED BY SECOND ASE TECHNICIAN, CAR WAS DEEMED HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE AND COULD CAUSE FIRE IF ROD BROKE AND PUNCTURED ENGINE WALL DUE TO DIRECT INJECTION SYSTEM. COSTS FOR REPAIR/RENTAL/TOW APPROACHED 15000, SO RENTAL WAS TURNED IN AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION WHILE ARBITRATING COMPLAINT. ITS ONLY VEHICLE SINGLE PARENT AND WARRANTY COVERS REPAIR/TOW/RENTAL, BUT HYUNDAI CORPORATE AND DEALER HAVE YET TO PROVIDE ANY REMEDY (STILL AS OF 7-17-19) PER CFR RULE 703 OR MAGNUSSON-MOSS ACT CLAIM WITH BBB AUTOLINE WAS FILED CERTIFIED MAIL ON 5-15-19. BBB MEDIATOR FAKED PHONE CALL AGREEMENT AND PERJURED SETTLEMENT LETTER. OFFER WAS NEVER ACCEPTED BECAUSE NEITHER HYUNDAI NOR BBB ARE FOLLOWING RULE 703 PROCEDURES AND DID NOT COMPLETE RESPONSE FORM. INSTEAD BBB ASSIGNED A SPECIALIST TO PERSONALLY ATTACK AND INTERROGATE ATTEMPTING TO COERCE ME. MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR ARBITRATION HAVE BEEN NEGATED OR IGNORED. LOCAL BBB OFFICE IN TOWN OF RESIDENCE WAS CONTACTED END OF JUNE. THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT SAID SHE COULD GET ARBITRATION SETUP WAS FIRED THE DAY AFTER. WAS TOLD BY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS THEY MAY NOT HAVE ARBITRATOR AVAILABLE AND WILL REQUIRE TRAVEL 5 HRS AWAY TO ATTEND HEARING IF HYUNDAI AGREES TO ARBITRATE?
NHTSA ODI #11232747
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
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.
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.
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