2014 Hyundai Elantra Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · 386 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Elantra years
More complaints than other years 5th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 386 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Elantra. That ranks 5th out of 32 Elantra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (166 complaints, 43%), typically at around 82,500 miles. Complaints mention 35 crashes, 16 fires, 31 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2014 Hyundai Elantra problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine166 · ~82,500 mi
Electrical System47 · ~34,500 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic46 · ~117,000 mi
Unknown or Other46 · ~50,000 mi
Service Brakes41 · ~49,000 mi
Air Bags32 · ~41,673 mi
Steering28 · ~14,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control27 · ~27,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System22 · ~69,000 mi
Power Train22 · ~55,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine problems16643%82,500“engine started” (5%)$6,900
Electrical System4712%34,500——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4612%117,000——
Unknown or Other4612%50,000——
Service Brakes4111%49,000——
Air Bags328%41,673——
Steering287%14,000——
Vehicle Speed Control277%27,000——
Fuel/propulsion System226%69,000——
Power Train226%55,000——
Suspension144%14,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)123%15,040——
Exterior Lighting103%81,076——
Structure92%40,000——
Wheels82%66,500——
Seat Belts62%19,677——
Tires41%1,900——
Visibility/wiper31%25,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling21%117,783——
Fuel System, Gasoline21%7,058——
Traction Control System21%2,000——
Visibility21%39,000——
Firerelated10%93,000——
Forward Collision Avoidance10%———
Seats10%52——
Service Brakes, Air10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2024, with 61 complaints
2014: 182014182015: 262015262016: 262016262017: 222017222018: 372018372019: 372019372020: 352020352021: 242021242022: 342022342023: 402023402024: 612024612025: 132025132026: 13202613

n = 386 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2014 Hyundai Elantra recalls (2)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles

Problem: 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 linkagesNov 30, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V769000 · 390,467 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires (AQ23002) — opened Nov 17, 2023, still open.
  • Throttle control system vulnerabilities (DP21003) — opened Nov 12, 2021, closed Jun 20, 2023.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Engine · received Oct 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769808

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…

Engine · received Oct 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11769829

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…

Engine · received Sep 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767496

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…

Power Train · received Sep 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767589

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.

Electrical System · received Aug 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11760458

Other Hyundai Elantra years

← 2013 Elantra · 2015 Elantra →

See all Hyundai Elantra problems by year, every Hyundai model, or the Hyundai VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Hyundai Elantra?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 166 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2014 Hyundai Elantra?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2014 Hyundai Elantra a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Elantra model years, the 2014 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.