VehicleVerdict

2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid carries two red flags at once: 40 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

40

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

6

Investigations · 1 open

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Sonata Hybrid years?

Sonata Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted216 complaints2011: 144 complaints2012: 216 complaints2013: 169 complaints2014: 40 complaints2015: 83 complaints2016: 183 complaints2017: 123 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 21 complaints2021: 69 complaints2022: 30 complaints2023: 23 complaints2024: 12 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Sonata Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sonata Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1230%
Electrical System1128%
Brakes1025%
Seat Belts25%
Steering13%
Transmission13%
Fuel System13%
Lighting13%
Other13%

Does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have recalls?

3 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.

17V617000Seat BeltsOctober 4, 2017 · 443,545 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V152000Seat BeltsMarch 8, 2017 · 977,778 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

“EL CARRO TRYNA CUANDO VOY DE REVERSA Y CUANDO ESTOY AN STOP EL CARRO TIEMBLA Y LOS BRAKES YA SE LOS CAMBIE Y SIEMPRE ME HACE RUIDO..”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 16, 2017 · crash

“2014 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN A GARAGE. EARLY IN THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2014 IT CAUGHT FIRE RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HOME. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE HOME WITHOUT INJURY. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 24, 2014 · fire

“EL CARRO TRYNA CUANDO VOY DE REVERSA Y CUANDO ESTOY AN STOP EL CARRO TIEMBLA Y LOS BRAKES YA SE LOS CAMBIE Y SIEMPRE ME HACE RUIDO..”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 16, 2017 · crash

“TRAVELING AT 60 MPH IN A 2014 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID . A DEER APPROXIMATELY WEIGHING 150 POUNDS JUMPED ON TO THE ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH MY BEFORE MENTIONED VEHICLE. CAUSING DAMAGE ON THE FRONT BUMPER, HOOD, AND PASSENGER SIDE FENDER. THE CONCERN IS THAT DESPITE THIS IMPACT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 30, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED AND "HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 14, 2018

2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 40 complaints put the 2014 model at #8 of 16 Sonata Hybrid years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Sonata Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (12 complaints), electrical system (11 complaints), brakes (10 complaints).

Does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 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 Sonata Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sonata Hybrid years to avoid are 2012, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2017, 2015, 2021, 2014. The cleanest record among Sonata Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 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.