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Hyundai · NHTSA safety record

2014 Hyundai Elantra

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 384 safety complaints about the 2014 Hyundai Elantra with the US government. Of those, 35 describe a crash, 15 mention a fire, 29 people were injured and 2 deaths are recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 164 complaints, 43% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 55,000 miles, the median across the 213 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2014 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

384 complaints on file

384

Complaints

35

Describe a crash

15

Mention fire

29

People injured

2

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints fell 32% year on year: 13 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 19 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 164 · 43%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 47 · 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 46 · 12%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 45 · 12%
SERVICE BRAKES 41 · 11%
AIR BAGS 32 · 8%
STEERING 28 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 27 · 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22 · 6%
POWER TRAIN 22 · 6%
SUSPENSION 14 · 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 12 · 3%
0 69 138

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 384.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 61.

68 51 34 17
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2014 Hyundai ELANTRA, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

23V651000 · September 22, 2023

Park outside until repaired

The 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.
The risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The 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 America · up to 1,649,478 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

17V769000 · November 30, 2017

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 390,467 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

2 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

AQ23002

Still open audit query · opened November 17, 2023

the hydraulic brakes

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.

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

DP21003

Closed defect petition · opened November 12, 2021 · closed June 20, 2023

vehicle speed control

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.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 deaths · 10,000 miles

I CAN HARDLY SEE 6-8 METERS WHEN DRIVING ON DARK STREET, IF I TRAVEL MORE THAN THE SPEED OF 35 MPH , I CANNOT SEE THE DIVIDER UNITIL I COME CLOSE TO IT. COMPLAINED TO HYUNDAI SEVERAL TIMES FOR FEW YEARS TO DIFFERENT DEALERS. NONE OF THEM HAD TAKEN ANY ACTION AND THEY SAY THE LIGHTS ARE ACCORDING TO SPECS. THE LIGHTS FALL CLOSE AND SPREAD WIDE BUT THEY DO NOT FOCUS STRAIGHT AND FAR. THIS IS HAPPENING FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE CAR PURCHASED IN 2014. TILL NOW IT IS USED ONLY DURING DAY TIMES BUT RECENTLY I HAVE STARTED USING AT NIGHT TIMES AND FEELING MORE UNSECURE. MANY TIMES I HAD TO HAVE THE HIGH BEAM TO BE SAFE.

NHTSA complaint 11073416. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

4 injured · crash · 1,666 miles

I WAS ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING THE VEHICLE (A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA) AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN IT INEXPLICABLY "STALLED" FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM. I QUICKLY LOST SPEED AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE DESPITE THE FACT THAT I WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AT ONE POINT. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY DID NOT RESPOND. THERE WAS PLENTY OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE, SO I HAD NOT RUN OUT OF GAS. THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION. THIS RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON A HIGHWAY WHERE I, ALONG WITH THE OTHER OCCUPANTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE, SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES. NOTABLY, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED--EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK SEVERAL TIMES FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES AND SUSTAINED

NHTSA complaint 10598934, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 41,345 miles

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 11/30/17 THAT HAD THREE IMPACTS AND NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN 10/2016 AND IT DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER, BUT I FIGURED MAYBE BECAUSE IT WASN'T AS VIOLENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE NOVEMBER ACCIDENT WAS HARD AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WERE SHOCKED THEY DID NOT DEPLOY INCLUDING A DEPUTY, A COUPLE OF DOCTORS, AND TWO INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVES. MY CAR WAS TOTALED SO I DO NOT OWN IT ANYMORE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND A PERSON CAME FROM SIDE STREET STOP SIGN AT ME TO CLIP THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, CAUSED FRONT DRIVER SIDE TO HIT A GUARDRAIL, AND FINALLY THE CAR WENT HEAD FIRST INTO SHALLOW DITCH (HIT ROTTEN POST AND A

NHTSA complaint 11054556, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 73,000 miles

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER BEING HIT BY COMMERCIAL BOX TRUCK GOING OVER 50 MPH

NHTSA complaint 11157060. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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) documented oil entering cylinders 1, 2, and 4. Dealership's own inspection gave inconsistent findings after one week delay saying they do not have the tool to look at the engine, a week later first stating cylinders 1-3 "looked okay" with cylinder 4 unable to be checked due to a broken connector, later stating the engine looked "clean," then offering two

NHTSA complaint 11767496, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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. The plug continued turning, and I discovered the two broken tabs. I did not deliberately pry or manipulate the tabs. Photographs document the damaged plug and two detached pieces. I believe the plug may have a design or durability defect. My safety concern is that damaged retention features could compromise sealing, potentially allowing

NHTSA complaint 11767589, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint 11760458. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

52,000 miles

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 vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who replaced the rear brake calipers. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The

NHTSA complaint 11752987, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 vehicle stalled twice while they drove it. On XXX their diagnosis stated the timing chain system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to Arlington Performance Center in Arlington Heights, IL and on XXX they added there was also engine failure which needed replacement. The vehicle was purchased from Patrick Hyundai in [XXX] on XXX and has

NHTSA complaint 11752043, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 premature cylinder wall scuffing, piston ring degradation, and unmetered oil loss. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has previously acknowledged that manufacturing issues in Hyundai engine blocks can cause rotating internal components to fail, leading directly to sudden, un-alerted engine stalling at highway speeds, a severe and

NHTSA complaint 11739387, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Hyundai Elantra

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 54 1 —
2023 98 2 —
2022 101 5 —
2021 131 5 1
2020 252 3 2
2019 251 1 1
2018 282 0 1
2017 767 4 —
2016 292 2 —
2015 262 3 —
2013 1,314 4 —
2012 653 4 —
2011 433 5 —
2010 379 3 1

Other 2014 Hyundai models

Sonata 746 Santa FE 493 Tucson 202 Santa FE Sport 163 Veloster 85 Accent 79 Azera 48 Equus 36

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Hyundai on this site — 205 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst