Problems · NHTSA complaints
2014 Hyundai Elantra GT problems
Owners filed 378 complaints about the 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT with NHTSA between Apr 2014 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is engine (161).
Complaints
378
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
34
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine161
- Electrical system46
- Service brakes, hydraulic45
- Service brakes39
- Air bags31
- Steering28
- Vehicle speed control26
- Fuel/propulsion system22
- Power train20
- Suspension14
- Electronic stability control (esc)12
- Exterior lighting10
- Structure9
- Wheels7
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
18
26
26
22
37
37
35
27
36
40
64
10
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2020 | 35 |
| 2021 | 27 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 64 |
| 2025 | 10 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
161 reports7 crashes8 fires
“While driving at approximately 70MPH on the highway, my 2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited suddenly locked up with no warning lights, no noise and no prior symptoms. The engine completely seized, causing immediate loss of power. I was barely able to coast off the highway exit to a final stop on the feeder shoulder, in a desolate area. The vehicle has always been properly maintained and is in excellent condition. Upon research, I learned that Hyundai has known of internal engine defects caused by metallic debris left from manufacturing since 2010, which can cause bearing failure and engine seizure. My Tucson's failure matches the same pattern described in Hyundai's Theta II engine recall and warranty extension campaigns. This sudden failure created an extremely dangerous situation at highway speed and possibility of injury while being stranded on an open road. Many owners, myself included, were never properly notified of the risks. I am filing this report because this incident represents a serious safety defect and potential recurrence among similar vehicles that may not yet be covered by recall. I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety…”
Electrical system
46 reports2 crashes3 fires
“I started to see the oil light on the dashboard and i heard a hard sound from the engine so that i changed the oil then after a couple days i saw the light again on with a little bit high temperature, so stooped by a gas station and i added some more oil after i shut the car off and waited to cool the engine down and i started the car, the oil light was gone and the engine sound was smoother then i started to get the same issue every couple days and i used to fix it the same way and I've had the same experience with my previous car which was the same brand but different year band model which i found a recall on the engine after it blown and the agency or the manufacturer changed the engine for free for that car and the current car has the same issues and it's included in the year range for that recall which from 2012 to 2019, that scares me because i drive everyday for rideshare and that can be dangerous for me and my clients who ride with me, also some of them stopped calling me for rides once they knew about that issue. And today i noticed the car beep which i used to hear when i lock the car with the remote has stopped too.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
45 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated momentarily. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Service brakes
39 reports11 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that her daughter was driving the vehicle when the failure occurred. While driving on a city road at 25 MPH, a tractor-trailer crossed in front of the contact's lane. The contact stated that her daughter immediately reacted by taking a sharp left turn in order to avoid a collision. However, upon attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brakes failed to engage, therefore causing the contact to crash into a utility pole. The front passenger side of the contact's vehicle was crashed upon impact with the utility pole, and the vehicle came to a stop upon impact. No property damage was reported. The airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local body shop. The Traction Control Warning light was illuminated. A police report was filed. No injuries were reported. No one outside of the vehicle was injured. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,300.”
Air bags
31 reports15 crashes
“Good Morning, This model and year of vehicle has had so many defects. I have paid hundreds of dollars over simple vehicle factors that Hyundai Manufacturers should really assess while pushing them to the market. This mode has had many brake light defect all consisting of the electrical wiring. I have changed MANY times the Brie lights bulbs only for them to blowout within a week. This is a roadway safety issue. Worse of all the ENGINE Is Faulty and the vehicles for this specific year tend to seize up or blowout due to the vehicle burning oil WAY BEFORE 3000 miles. I’ve had to change oil now every month because the engine will literally start making a screeching noise under the hood. Only to realize that the car has zero oil yet zero leaks under 1000 miles of driven. The dealership recently changed my oil and filter and after 1,500 miles I realized the engine making this noise for the 3rd time. I have now filed a complaint with their head office, to only have them dismiss me and not care for the safety of others. I am most definitely not the first person that owns this model and has been phasing with this SAFETY problem. Please help us out and investigate this…”
Steering
28 reports
“I OWN A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LIMITED. IT HANDLES NORMALLY WHEN IN TOWN DRIVING BUT WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERS SLIGHTLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND YOU CANNOT KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT IN CENTER. IT IS HARD TO MANEUVER AS THE STEERING APPEARS TO STICK IN EITHER POSITION AS YOU FIGHT TO KEEP IT IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. IT STICKS MORE TO THE LEFT THAN TO THE RIGHT. I AM AMAZED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THESE CARS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY HYUNDAI'S HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I CANNOT PUT A SPECIFIC DATE ON THE INCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DOES THIS ALL THE TIME WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY SO I JUST PICKED THE DATE THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALER.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.