2014 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (113) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (46) · Service Brakes (29)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
214 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-22 · campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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 2017-11-30 · campaign 17V769000 · 390,467 vehicles
Defect: 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 condit
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (150)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-08-26 · 26-BE-022H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use for original & subsequent owners.
Air Bags 2026-08-25 · 26-BE-022H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
the warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. refer to the warranty and service parts information outlined in this bulletin whenever clock spring replacement is required.
Showing the 6 most recent of 150 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-08 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 80,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owned a 2014 hyundai elantra. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off with the contact seated inside the vehicle, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. the contact had previously been smoking a cigarette. the vehicle was idling high, and hesitating while accelerating with a weak battery.…”
2026-10-08 · Engine“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 ev…”
2026-09-28 · Power Train“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. th…”
2026-09-28 · Engine“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) document…”
2026-08-28 · Engine · 🔥 fire“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. …”
2026-07-27 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 52,000 mi“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 …”
2026-07-22 · Engine“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 vehi…”
2026-05-21 · Engine“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 …”
2026-05-14 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2026-04-29 · Power Train“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 rep…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.