2014 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 219 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Elantra, most often about engine. There are 2 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 219
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 10
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 8
- Median mileage
- 98,000 mi at time of problem
Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 115 of 219 complaints (53%).
- Brakes (70) and electrical system (28) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 98,000 mi.
- Owners reported 10 crashes, 11 fires and 8 injuries.
- The 2014 Hyundai Elantra has 2 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 5th of 22 Hyundai Elantra model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 60% fewer complaints than the 2013 model year (543).
2014 Hyundai Elantra problems by category
- Engine · 2 crashes115 complaints
- Brakes · 5 crashes70 complaints
- Other / Unknown28 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash28 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion17 complaints
- Airbags · 3 crashes13 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control12 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain11 complaints
- Steering5 complaints
- Lighting4 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash4 complaints
- Wheels & Tires · 1 crash3 complaints
- Suspension · 1 crash2 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash2 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 113 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 45 |
| Electrical system | 28 |
| Unknown or other | 27 |
| Service brakes | 25 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 |
| Air bags | 13 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2014 Hyundai Elantra recalls (2)
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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.
Risk: 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.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- AQ23002Opened Nov 17, 2023Open
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
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, …
- DP21003Opened Nov 12, 2021Closed Jun 20, 2023
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
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 b…
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Hyundai Elantra 2 DR FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| 2014 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2014 Hyundai Elantra complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 8, 2026MOEngine
I was sold this car in July of 2025, and I was sold an extended warranty. I didn’t know about the recall, the recall caused engine failure so the warranty company refuses to pay for the new engine and Hyundai refuses to pay for the new engine even though the recall caused it and the dealership that sold it to me refuses to pay for the new engine even though they sold it to me with the open recall please help!
NHTSA complaint #11769829 · source - Filed Sep 28, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain
I am reporting a failure I personally witnessed while servicing a 2014 Hyundai Elantra; I am not the vehicle owner. On September 24, 2026, at approximately 11 PM and approximately 124,160 miles, both stop/retaining tabs on the automatic transmission oil-level check plug broke during rotation while attempting to remove it for a fluid-level check. The plug continued turning, and I discovered the two broken tabs. I did not deliberately pry or manipulate the tabs. Photographs…
NHTSA complaint #11767589 · source - Filed Sep 28, 2026CAEngine
Component: Engine (oil intrusion cylinders 1, 2, and 4). Vehicle currently at Stevens Creek Hyundai, available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: Large volume of smoke while driving, reduced visibility, and risk of further engine damage while unresolved. Reproduced/confirmed: Yes. Independent mechanic (Liberti's Automotive, 7/13/26) documented oil entering cylinders 1, 2, and 4. Dealership's own inspection gave inconsistent findings after one week delay saying they do…
NHTSA complaint #11767496 · source - Filed Aug 28, 2026OHFireElectrical SystemEngine
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.
NHTSA complaint #11760458 · source - Filed Jul 27, 202652,000 miKYBrakes
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the brakes made abnormal grinding sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the front brakes, but the rear brakes were leaking brake fluid. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the independent mechanic for the repair. The…
NHTSA complaint #11752987 · source - Filed Jul 22, 2026ILEngine
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…
NHTSA complaint #11752043 · source - Filed May 21, 2026COEngine
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…
NHTSA complaint #11739387 · source - Filed May 14, 2026PAFireElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
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…
NHTSA complaint #11737763 · source
Compare the 2014 Hyundai Elantra with another vehicle →
Other 2014 Hyundai models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology