2014 Hyundai Elantra Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: June 24, 2026 · Filed: October 8, 2026

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 that sold it to me refuses to pay for the new engine even though they sold it to me with the open recall please help!

Incident: October 1, 2026 · Filed: October 8, 2026

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 hesitating while accelerating with a weak battery. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the battery had melted. During a storm, there was a burst of wind followed by a cloud of smoke. The contact and a family member opened the hood and became aware that the engine compartment was on fire. The engine bay was engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished with rainwater, a shower towel, and a fire extinguisher with assistance from bystanders. The fire department inspected the vehicle and determined that there was no evidence of foul play and that the fire originated from the engine compartment. A good Samaritan sustained burns while assisting. The contact and others reported inhaling toxic fumes or chemicals from the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss, as there was no insurance coverage and the contact and her family were left without transportation and had to walk from the location of the fire. The contact referenced a thermal event involving the electrical system associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The local dealer had previously been made aware of the issue, but the claim was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Incident: September 24, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

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 transmission-fluid loss and loss of propulsion. These are potential consequences, not events that occurred here. The failure occurred during stationary maintenance, not while driving. After service, the vehicle shifted normally and I observed no leakage. The plug was replaced with an OEM oil-level plug, part 45285-26100, obtained from a Hyundai dealership. The dealership parts invoice is dated September 25, 2026 and also lists gasket 45284-26100. Purchasing replacement parts does not constitute a dealer diagnosis. No manufacturer or independent expert determination of the failure cause has been obtained. I have submitted a complaint to Hyundai requesting technical review. Prior warning indications and availability of the original part for inspection: UNKNOWN. I request investigation of the plug retention design, durability, and adequacy of service instructions.

Incident: July 13, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

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 conflicting theories: a possible fuel injector issue or an oil consumption issue requiring a 1,000-mile test, despite earlier being told the test wouldn't be needed since oil was already documented. Inspected by manufacturer: Yes, by authorized Hyundai dealer (Stevens Creek Hyundai). Not inspected by police or insurance. Warning lamps: None reported prior to the smoking incident. No written diagnostic report has been provided. Repair estimates: $6,000-$10,000 for the engine by depending on mechanic, $2,000 for the fuel injector by Dealer— far exceeding the vehicle's value ($2,900 CarFax, $500 as-is per dealership). Concerned this vehicle, despite completing the engine monitoring recall, still developed oil intrusion consistent with known Hyundai engine defects. Vehicle sat at dealership for over a week without a clear diagnosis or determination, remaining in an unresolved safety state longer than necessary.

Incident: June 3, 2026 · Filed: August 28, 2026

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.

Incident: January 1, 2025 · Filed: July 27, 2026

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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Incident: July 5, 2026 · Filed: July 22, 2026

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 101,876 miles on it. It is available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: April 29, 2026 · Filed: May 21, 2026

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 immediate safety hazard to drivers, passengers, and surrounding traffic. Despite this being a well-documented mechanical defect (originally addressed under the [XXX] , et al. v. Hyundai Motor America Class Action Settlement / Service Campaign TXXK), Hyundai Motor America is currently refusing to remedy this hazardous component. The manufacturer has repeatedly denied corporate assistance based strictly on an arbitrary calendar timeline (stating the vehicle has passed the 10-year settlement window). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: May 13, 2026 · Filed: May 14, 2026

Vehicle was parked and turned off in a residential driveway when a fire spontaneously ignited in the engine compartment. There were no warning lights, unusual sounds, or symptoms prior to the incident. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire using dry chemical suppressant and water. The vehicle was a total loss. The fire appears to have originated in the front engine compartment area. The vehicle was not involved in a collision. The vehicle has a 1.8L Nu DOHC engine and 4-wheel ABS system. This vehicle falls under known NHTSA recalls and class action litigation related to spontaneous engine fires in Hyundai Elantra vehicles, including issues related to defective ABS/HECU modules and engine defects associated with the Nu engine series.

Incident: March 24, 2026 · Filed: April 29, 2026

The 2.0L Nu GDI engine in this vehicle is experiencing terminal internal failure. Following a P1326 KSDS warning event, a borescope inspection at an authorized dealership documented severe cylinder wall scoring in all four cylinders. Despite this documented internal block destruction, the manufacturer has denied the mandated settlement warranty repair based on a software-based proxy test (BCT). The vehicle was returned in an unsafe condition and is currently stalling and vibrating violently while in traffic, posing an immediate risk of loss of power and traffic collision. The manufacturer is ignoring the documented physical failure of a core engine component.