2014 Hyundai Sonata problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 459 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata, most often about engine. There are 7 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 459
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 14
- Fires
- 28
- Injuries
- 12
- Median mileage
- 95,563 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 218 of 459 complaints (47%).
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (77) and electrical system (77) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 95,563 mi.
- Owners reported 14 crashes, 28 fires and 12 injuries.
- The 2014 Hyundai Sonata has 7 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 7 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 7th of 22 Hyundai Sonata model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 52% fewer complaints than the 2013 model year (957).
2014 Hyundai Sonata problems by category
- Engine · 4 crashes218 complaints
- 77 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash77 complaints
- Lighting · 1 crash61 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 3 crashes60 complaints
- Brakes · 3 crashes36 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash30 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 3 crashes28 complaints
- Airbags · 4 crashes13 complaints
- Body & Structure11 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts9 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash8 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash7 complaints
- Suspension1 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 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 | 203 |
| Electrical system | 74 |
| Unknown or other | 57 |
| Exterior lighting | 51 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 39 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 34 |
| Service brakes | 34 |
| Steering | 29 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2014 Hyundai Sonata recalls (7)
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Risk: A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 227. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 20V-121. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-121 that did not receive a replacement fuel hose will need to have this new recall remedy performed.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Risk: If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the low-pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 189. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.
- ENGINE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Risk: If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
NHTSA defect investigations
- DP22003Opened Sep 12, 2022Closed Dec 12, 2023
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complain…
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine …
- 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…
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles equipped with Theta II and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field data of other Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda engines (approximately 4.8 million). As a result of this PE, Hyundai has issued NHTSA Rec…
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)…
Scope and Timeliness
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-004 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Hyundai?s Theta II GDI engine recalls (Recall Nos. 15V-568 and 17V-226), and Hyundai?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Hyundai to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-004. NHTSA?s assertions included that Hyundai may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including the untimeliness of Recall Nos. 15V-568 and 17V-226, inaccuracies in Hyundai?s recall reports, and that a required…
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Hyundai Sonata 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Recent 2014 Hyundai Sonata complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 6, 2026UTBody & Structure
Shortly after we bought the vehicle in 2021, my 7 year old daughter (who weighed about [XXX] at the time) got in the car through the driver side rear door and closed it normally. When we got home, the door would no longer open and has not opened now for 5 years. A mechanic said it would cost more than $1400 to repair because he would have to remove the door paneling from the inside of the vehicle to even diagnose what the issue is. If we were to get into a car accident,…
NHTSA complaint #11769320 · source - Filed Oct 5, 2026UTEngine
I was driving on the freeway about 100 miles outside of Boise, ID when the vehicle went into limp mode and a flashing check engine light came on. I had it towed to the Hyundai dealership in Boise where they ran a diagnostic check and it came back with a P1326 code, which is the issue related to the engine/ball bearings. They said it passed the bearing clearance test (BCT) so they updated the software and gave the car back. I picked it up a week later and while driving it…
NHTSA complaint #11769189 · source - Filed Sep 22, 2026ILLighting
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, a bystander notified the contact that the brake lights were inoperable. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and determined that the brake light housing needed to be replaced. The brake light housing was replaced; however, the failure persisted.
NHTSA complaint #11766112 · source - Filed Sep 11, 2026141,000 miCATowedEngine
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's wife was driving 65 MPH, the engine seized. The vehicle rolled to the shoulder of the road. The driver attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle started. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH, and the engine shuttered. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to…
NHTSA complaint #11763730 · source - Filed Sep 9, 2026MOFireOther / Unknown
Me and my friends are actually going to a trip on three cars. And I am the only one driving my car. All of a sudden when I am on US Highway 82. It started smoke. Immediately I tried to pull over. With in seconds it started fire. I inhaled lot a of smoke. I am a asthama patient so felt dozy immediately. Somehow I immediately came out of the car. I called 911 and whitesbore pd and fire engine team immediately arrived. But with in that time the front hood completely burnt and…
NHTSA complaint #11763238 · source - Filed Aug 20, 2026VAEngine
The vehicle suffered an abrupt, internal engine seizure while operating in active traffic at highway speeds. This sudden loss of power created an immediate crash hazard, as the vehicle decelerated rapidly in the travel lane, narrowly avoiding a rear-end collision and putting my family and other motorists at extreme risk. The vehicle was towed immediately to an authorized Hyundai dealership service center where it is currently awaiting the physical recall inspection. Prior to…
NHTSA complaint #11758160 · source - Filed Jul 18, 2026CASteering
I am submitting this complaint because I believe this issue presents a serious safety concern. My 2014 Hyundai Sonata experienced a failure related to the steering angle sensor, causing the ESC, ABS, and traction control warning lights to illuminate while driving. As a result, these important safety systems lost functionality and were no longer available to assist in maintaining vehicle stability and traction during normal driving conditions. This failure occurred without…
NHTSA complaint #11751285 · source - Filed Jun 29, 2026NCElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown
I was driving my 2014 hyundai sonata that I only had for 3 months when it just quit on me. I pulled over and seen when white smoke was coming from the wires.
NHTSA complaint #11747161 · source
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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