2014 Hyundai Sonata Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 9, 2026 · Filed: October 15, 2026

Summary of Event: This vehicle was brought to an authorized Hyundai dealership for a mandatory safety recall engine replacement under the Theta II Engine Recall Campaign. The dealership successfully installed a replacement engine provided by the manufacturer. However, the dealership and Hyundai Motor America are now refusing to return the vehicle to me in a functional, safe condition. Safety Hazard & Defect: The dealership states that the replacement engine shipped by Hyundai is mechanically and physically incompatible with the vehicle's original, factory-installed high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP). In an official written correspondence from a Hyundai Motor America Corporate Case Manager, Hyundai explicitly documented that: "dealership stated that it is not safe to drive the vehicle with old fuel pump." Despite acknowledging that the vehicle is now in an "unsafe to drive" condition due to the mismatched replacement parts provided by the manufacturer, Hyundai Corporate and the dealership are refusing to complete the safety recall remedy unless I pay $1,500 out-of-pocket for a new, compatible fuel pump.

Incident: September 3, 2026 · Filed: October 9, 2026

My 2014 Hyundai Sonata experienced a failure of the transmission shift cable connection, the same safety-related defect addressed by Hyundai Recall Campaign 123 (NHTSA Recall 14V-434). The gear selector stopped functioning correctly. Although I could physically move the shifter using the shift-lock release, the dashboard continued displaying Neutral even when I selected Park. The vehicle would not start because it was not recognizing the correct gear position. This malfunction raises serious safety concerns because a failure of the shift cable connection can cause the transmission’s actual gear position to differ from the driver’s selected position, potentially creating an unintended vehicle movement or rollaway hazard. On September 4, 2026, Courtesy Hyundai Tampa, an authorized Hyundai dealership, inspected my vehicle and diagnosed the shift-cable connection failure, confirming the problem I had reported. Hyundai Motor America verified that Recall Campaign 123 had previously been completed on my vehicle on September 16, 2014, when it had approximately 13,000 miles. Despite that prior recall repair, the same type of failure occurred again at approximately 187,000 miles. Hyundai refused to perform another recall repair at no cost, citing the previous completion of Campaign 123 and the vehicle’s expired warranty. Hyundai provided this denial in writing under Corporate Case #43215357. Because the dealership quoted more than $1,000 for the repair, I subsequently had the vehicle repaired at an independent repair facility. I am concerned that the original recall remedy may not have permanently addressed this safety defect. I request that NHTSA investigate this recurrence and determine whether the effectiveness of Recall Campaign 123 requires further review. No crash or injury is being reported in connection with this complaint.

Incident: January 15, 2022 · Filed: October 6, 2026

Shortly after we bought the vehicle in 2021, my 7 year old daughter (who weighed about [XXX] at the time) got in the car through the driver side rear door and closed it normally. When we got home, the door would no longer open and has not opened now for 5 years. A mechanic said it would cost more than $1400 to repair because he would have to remove the door paneling from the inside of the vehicle to even diagnose what the issue is. If we were to get into a car accident, having a door that will not open is a significant safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: October 5, 2026 · Filed: October 5, 2026

I was driving on the freeway about 100 miles outside of Boise, ID when the vehicle went into limp mode and a flashing check engine light came on. I had it towed to the Hyundai dealership in Boise where they ran a diagnostic check and it came back with a P1326 code, which is the issue related to the engine/ball bearings. They said it passed the bearing clearance test (BCT) so they updated the software and gave the car back. I picked it up a week later and while driving it from Boise to Salt Lake City (where I live), it went into limp mode again with a flashing check engine light. This happened about 100 miles north of Salt Lake City. I had it towed to a dealership in Murray. They indicated it passed the BCT again, but they replaced the knock sensor and did an oil change and gave the car back. I picked it up, and the next day, while on the freeway, the same thing happened again. I took it back to the dealership. They indicated the knock sensors they just installed the day before needed to be updated, so they updated the software for the knock sensors. I just picked it up, and within 45 seconds of being on the freeway, it went right back into limp mode with the flashing check engine light. This has happened 4 times now, on the freeway forcing me to immediately get over, and I have almost gotten into two separate accidents because of this. Hyundai says they will not replace the engine because it keeps passing the BCT. The vehicle is not safe to drive and it is likely causing irreparable damage to the other systems of the car.

Incident: June 15, 2018 · Filed: September 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, a bystander notified the contact that the brake lights were inoperable. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and determined that the brake light housing needed to be replaced. The brake light housing was replaced; however, the failure persisted.

Incident: July 15, 2026 · Filed: September 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's wife was driving 65 MPH, the engine seized. The vehicle rolled to the shoulder of the road. The driver attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle started. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH, and the engine shuttered. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer requested that the contact provide a fleet email associated with the VIN from Enterprise, which was the previous vehicle owner. The manufacturer was contacted by phone but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 141,000.

Incident: September 5, 2026 · Filed: September 9, 2026

Me and my friends are actually going to a trip on three cars. And I am the only one driving my car. All of a sudden when I am on US Highway 82. It started smoke. Immediately I tried to pull over. With in seconds it started fire. I inhaled lot a of smoke. I am a asthama patient so felt dozy immediately. Somehow I immediately came out of the car. I called 911 and whitesbore pd and fire engine team immediately arrived. But with in that time the front hood completely burnt and front seats as well.

Incident: August 13, 2026 · Filed: August 20, 2026

The vehicle suffered an abrupt, internal engine seizure while operating in active traffic at highway speeds. This sudden loss of power created an immediate crash hazard, as the vehicle decelerated rapidly in the travel lane, narrowly avoiding a rear-end collision and putting my family and other motorists at extreme risk. The vehicle was towed immediately to an authorized Hyundai dealership service center where it is currently awaiting the physical recall inspection. Prior to the complete engine failure, there were no warning lights, abnormal gauge readings, dashboard messages, or noticeable performance symptoms. The engine seized completely without warning. The vehicle has an open, uncompleted Federal Safety Recall 162 (NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V729000) for this exact engine manufacturing defect and bearing failure.

Incident: July 17, 2026 · Filed: July 18, 2026

I am submitting this complaint because I believe this issue presents a serious safety concern. My 2014 Hyundai Sonata experienced a failure related to the steering angle sensor, causing the ESC, ABS, and traction control warning lights to illuminate while driving. As a result, these important safety systems lost functionality and were no longer available to assist in maintaining vehicle stability and traction during normal driving conditions. This failure occurred without warning and required replacement of the steering angle sensor, followed by a required calibration. A critical steering-related component should not fail under normal driving conditions, especially when its failure can disable multiple electronic safety systems. Drivers may not immediately realize that these systems are no longer functioning, increasing the potential risk during emergency maneuvers, wet road conditions, or sudden avoidance situations. While researching this issue, I found that many other Hyundai owners have reported similar steering and electronic stability control problems. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether steering angle sensor failures, related steering system components, or the associated calibration requirements represent a widespread defect affecting 2011–2014 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. If this issue is determined to be common, I ask that Hyundai be required to address the defect through an appropriate recall or extended warranty program so owners are not responsible for repairs involving a critical vehicle safety system.

Incident: July 3, 2026 · Filed: July 13, 2026

The check engine lights blinking, it overheats and it shuts down.