VehicleVerdict

2014 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2014 Hyundai Elantra carries two red flags at once: 548 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.6× the Elantra norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Elantra years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 47 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 163 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

548

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

58

Crash-involved

23

Fires reported

47

Injuries

4

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Elantra years?

Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted1,858 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 46 complaints1993: 39 complaints1994: 110 complaints1995: 179 complaints1996: 138 complaints1997: 196 complaints1998: 75 complaints1999: 183 complaints2000: 259 complaints2001: 445 complaints2002: 431 complaints2003: 310 complaints2004: 209 complaints2005: 180 complaints2006: 209 complaints2007: 365 complaints2008: 424 complaints2009: 316 complaints2010: 501 complaints2011: 588 complaints2012: 917 complaints2013: 1,858 complaints2014: 548 complaints2015: 352 complaints2016: 387 complaints2017: 1,070 complaints2018: 397 complaints2019: 322 complaints2020: 324 complaints2021: 213 complaints2022: 135 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 93 complaints2025: 27 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Elantra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine16330%
Brakes8616%
Electrical System6011%
Other479%
Airbags326%
Steering285%
Speed Control275%
Fuel System244%
Transmission214%
Suspension143%
Tires & Wheels122%
Body & Structure102%
Lighting102%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Seat Belts61%
Seats10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2014 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

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.

Consequence

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.

17V769000BrakesNovember 30, 2017 · 390,467 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

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, 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The vehicle caught fire while it was in motion; there were loud bangs and a lot of noise, and smoke started coming out of the front, and the engine and the undercarriage caught fire.I managed to turn it off, but when they were towing it, the mechanics did the diagnostic and found wires were faulty…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 4, 2025 · crash · fire

“I got into a car accident because when I hit my brakes, instead of slowing the car down or stopping it. My car start it, skip it and you could feel it in the break like clicking like click boom, click boom, click boom.And then all of a sudden boom, I hit the car in front of me, could it stopped the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 26, 2024 · crash

“I believe there was an electrical issue. While driving the car started smoking and my daughter pulled over and the there was fire coming from the engine and after that it just engulfed in flames. Fire was also coming from underneath when 1st started.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 3, 2024 · fire

“DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AND CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND WITHIN A MINUTE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT. MY SON GOT OVER TO SHOULDER AND GOT PUT AND AWAY FROM CAR SAFELY. THE CAR IS 100 PERCENT DESTROYED. I HAD READ TODAY THE HYUNDIAS HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME FIRE ISSUES SO THOUGHT I WOULD REPORT THIS INCIDENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 2, 2018 · fire

“I WAS IN A FRONTEND COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK. I STRUCK THE VEHICLE GO 50 MPH WHICH WAS A FRONT END COLLISION. I ONLY SUFFERS MINOR SHOULDER INJURIES. MY CONCERN IS WHEN THE COLLISION SHOP COMPLETES THE WORK FIXING MY CAR, WILL I FEEL SAVE IF ANOTHER COLLISION OCCUS. I DON'T KNOW OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 6, 2016 · crash

2014 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2014 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 548 complaints put the 2014 model at #5 of 37 Elantra years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Elantra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (163 complaints), brakes (86 complaints), electrical system (60 complaints).

Does the 2014 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2014 Hyundai Elantra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Hyundai Elantra earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.