2014 Hyundai Elantra Electrical Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11737763

Incident

May 13, 2026

Vehicle Information: 2014 Hyundai Elantra SE Sedan, 4-Cylinder, 6-Speed Automatic, FWD Build Location: USA-Built Version (Montgomery, AL - VIN '5NP') Ownership: Second owner, purchased Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) from the Hyundai of New Port Richey dealer (Florida) in March 2016. Vehicle is owned outright. Mileage: 128,638 Approximate Date Incident Noticed: October 1, 2025 DESCRIPTION OF CRITICAL SAFETY DEFECT & WARRANTY REJECTION I am reporting a failure of the clock spring assembly, which compromises critical safety features and poses an unreasonable risk, especially since this vehicle regularly transports passengers, including children. My VIN was rejected by the Hyundai TXXA Clock Spring Extended Warranty validator despite exhibiting the exact failures covered by the campaign. Safety Failures: Airbag (SRS): Warning light is constantly illuminated; driver-side airbag is disabled and will not deploy, endangering the driver and front passenger. Horn: Completely inoperable, eliminating a vital safety communication feature required to warn other drivers. Cruise Control: Buttons on the steering wheel are non-functional. These failures are caused by a broken electrical connection within the clock spring (which typically runs the Airbag, Horn, and Cruise Control circuits). I believe the denial is related to my vehicle being the USA-Built version (VIN '5NP'). I request that NHTSA investigate why this safety campaign arbitrarily excludes USA-built Elantras (but not Korean-built) experiencing the identical failure, thereby placing an unreasonable repair cost burden on owners for a critical safety component.

NHTSA ID

11699634

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11672635

Incident

Jun 21, 2025

A significant class action settlement, known as the Hyundai Engine II Class Action Settlement, was established to address allegations of engine defects in various Hyundai models. This settlement includes vehicles equipped with the Nu 2.0-liter GDI engine, such as the 2014–2020 Elantra GT. The lawsuit claimed that these engines could suffer from issues like engine seizure, stalling, and potential engine fires. My vehicles engine is the engine listed above and has been experiencing those exact problems. My engine has been stalling and making a knocking noise. A professional mechanic evaluated my vehicle and diagnosed it with first stage engine failure. Engine failure of any kind while driving is extremely dangerous and could lead to sudden stopping on a highway, collision, and result in the loss of life of both the driver and other drivers sharing the road. In addition to the Engine II settlement, there was a separate class action settlement related to the Theta II engines, which are also found in some Hyundai vehicles. This settlement addressed allegations of engine defects that could lead to engine failure. Hyundai Motors is refusing to honor their warranty coverage for my vehicle. They claim their refusal is due to my vehicle having a rebuilt title, however, nowhere on their website or per any other guidelines do they explicitly deny coverage for rebuilt title vehicles. They clearly state that only salvage titles and 'total loss' vehicles will not receive any warranty assistance, which my vehicle was never considered a total loss. Additionally, when speaking to a Bob Howard Hyundai representative, they informed me that they have previously honored warranties for people in my exact situation. The engine in my 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT is the original engine with a matching VIN number and the engine failure is strictly due to the malfunction of said part produced by Hyundai Motors. I have maintained and preformed regular maintenance on this vehicle with receipts.

NHTSA ID

11660767

Incident

Apr 5, 2025

Breaks lock my car after driving for about 30 minutes and traction control light comes on

NHTSA ID

11595261

Incident

Jun 10, 2024

This has occurred three separate times, but this report explains what happened during the most recent occurrence. I was driving at 40 mph. The car in front of me hit their brakes, so I lightly tapped my brakes to slow down. When I tapped the gas pedal, the car would not increase speed. The check engine light, oil light, and battery light each turned on simultaneously. The car then stalled completely, but the lights remained on and the car didn’t lose power. I hit the brakes (which were now hard to push down), hit my emergency flashes so that the car behind me would pass me, pulled over to the side of the road, and then I turned off the car. When I turned the car back on, 30 seconds later, all of the lights were off and the car started with no issue.

NHTSA ID

11593241

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

The car has little ticks..buzzy sounds,rough idle,decease power,loss in the fuel economy, had regular tune up, but the car stillnot right and could possibly be the computer

NHTSA ID

11584047

Incident

Mar 21, 2024

The positive battery terminal melted from an electrical issue and cannot be fixed due to the model and year of my car. The whole car has fully died and is not functional. My car is available for inspection. The car has only been inspected by a mechanic. The car would have trouble starting and staying on for the last 2 months or so and right before it died it was showing the steering wheel light for 2 days and then all the lights were blinking.

NHTSA ID

11580931

Incident

Mar 26, 2024

Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I'm writing out of deep concern and frustration regarding the unrepaired safety recall on my 2014 Hyundai Elantra. Recall #23V651000 warns of an alarming risk of engine compartment fires, yet there's still no fix available from Hyundai. This isn't just a theoretical risk for me. I have no choice but to park my car in a public garage, making the fire hazard much worse. Hyundai's advice to park outside is impossible to follow, leaving me feeling trapped and unsafe. I find it difficult to understand why Hyundai can source parts for new vehicles, yet struggles to prioritize a fix for a potentially life-threatening safety issue affecting existing cars. I urge the NHTSA to take the following actions: * Investigate why this fix is taking so long. People's safety is on the line. * Push Hyundai to find a solution immediately. Each day of delay is unacceptable. * Keep me and other affected owners informed. The lack of updates is adding to the stress. This isn't just about my car. An engine fire in a garage could be devastating. Please act quickly.

NHTSA ID

11580568

Incident

Sep 22, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11576600

Incident

Mar 3, 2024

Mileage

120,000 mi

This is with regard to recall 23V651000 which has been active since 9/22/23 and the statement on your website: "If the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner...file an online complaint with NHTSA." It's been over four months and there's no remedy in sight. I don't consider that timely, particularly since we've been told to park the vehicle outside. In our upper-Midwest environment, that renders our garage worthless in the winter--we're likely to have to scrape the ice off of the windows every morning before using the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11569585

Incident

Sep 22, 2023

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 alternator was prematurely replaced due to an electrical overcharge. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle responded with delay. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the ABS system. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle 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 made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for vehicle rental assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 316,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11564690

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

Mileage

316,000 mi

Multiple safety recalls issued for many models of hyundai cars. most recent that affects the 2014 hyundai elantra and other models is faulty ABS system which could result in engine compartment fire while parked or driving. There is no available repair for this problem. I received notice in the mail on 01/03/2024. I noticed that the safety recall was issued in September of 2023. How is it acceptable that I was informed of a serious safety issue 4 months after it was found out? As I stated previously, there is not an available repair for this serious safety issue and fire risk. They are not offering free services to determine if this issue is affecting my car. Seriously negligent of Hyundai.

NHTSA ID

11563861

Incident

Jan 3, 2024

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ("ABS") MODULE remains a threat to my life. Hyundai should be required to fix this in a timely manner, yet has failed to do so. This recall has no remedy from the manufacturer STILL nor the appropriate replacement parts/services available. 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11555956

Incident

Nov 19, 2023

Brake Lights, constantly on. The vehicle, while driving, the brake lights come on and do not turn off. you must force the pedal all the way down, to, sometimes, turn them off. while driving, the lights being on, disables the ECS system, and Cruise Control. while the vehicle is parked and off the lights stay on, unless you depress the pedal, this causes power drains and dead batteries. if the lights do not work, this is a hazard to drive at any time of day. lights will also come on while car is off and has been off for some time.

NHTSA ID

11555784

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

My car randomly stalls when driving. I was recently driving the 101 freeway when in the middle of the lane my car stalled while driving roughly 10-15 mph. I noticed in that time my brakes malfunctioned in that when I tried to press on the brakes it did not feel like they were responding. I was able to move over to the shoulder of the freeway thankfully but was panicked an accident was going to happen. I had my car inspected previously in which hyundai said the issues was related to engine coils that had since been replaced and this incident happened after. I currently have my car being inspected by my mechanic to determine possible causes. When the car stalled it flashed the check engine and battery lights on my dashboard.

NHTSA ID

11551103

Incident

Oct 19, 2023

The brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. The brake switch plunger is not retracted, which caused the transmission to be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. This condition increases the risk of a crash. Hyundai is recalled certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574. The issue here is my vehicle/VIN didn't qualify for this recall because it was made a few months after a specific manufacturing date, although it is a 2014 Elantra. Hyundai announced this recall over 3 years after the manufacturing date so I was confused as to why my vehicle didn't qualify to be repaired by the dealer.

NHTSA ID

11549412

Incident

Sep 25, 2023

Recall

NHTSA ID

11547486

Incident

Sep 30, 2023

I was out running errands and I was taking a break Midway through the day and I had the seat laid back and the car was off the key wasn't even turned forward and I just started to fall asleep when I started feeling something get really hot I opened my eyes and the car was full of thick black smoke so I swung the door open and with all the smoke went out my passenger seat was on fire on the bottom of the seat I burned my hand really bad in the process of trying to put it out which I have some lawyers working on getting me compensated for all this but it seems to have started in the seat heater all of the wires for the seat heater are all melted and you can clearly see how they started to catch the foam on fire I also googled it and there's been a few other cases of people's Hyundai's catching on fire sitting in their driveway and it started in the seat on their cars too I think I'm the first person that's actually been hurt by it though my hand was burned so bad that the hospital wanted me to go to the burn center I was not able to go to the burn center for financial reasons and work reasons which it ended up putting me out of work anyways I still don't have a feeling in three of my fingers on the ends of them and this whole situation really screwed things up for me and it almost killed me.

NHTSA ID

11497675

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

When stopping at a light or parking lot, the car seems to struggle and shuts off. When I turn the engine on, the car struggles to start up and all of the car dash board lights tend to cut off with no warning sounds. I Installed new battery, changed the oil and had a repair shop look over the car and was told nothing was found.

NHTSA ID

11482131

Incident

Aug 23, 2022

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 matter. This is not ethical practice and we should not be worried about our safety on a manufacturing defect.

NHTSA ID

11463812

Incident

Apr 24, 2022

Car has shut off while driving twice. Engine was replaced in 2021 for the same issues. First incident occurred while attempting to park after driving 40mins Second incident occurred while at a red light. The car also has problems starting up.

NHTSA ID

11459477

Incident

Apr 2, 2022

Passing a car on the highway when the Elantra died. Pulled over on the side of the road and all service lights came on. Fire started coming up from the hood. Barely got out of the car before the entire car was engulfed in flames.

NHTSA ID

11431970

Incident

Sep 4, 2021

AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRIP. NO WARNING, JUST A QUICK ENGINE SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH FORCES ME TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO CRANK IT BACK UP. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURS, AND IT'S A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11396818

Incident

Jan 4, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

TROUBLES WITH THE POWER/BATTERY. TROUBLES STARTED AROUND 80K MILES. AT FIRST THE BATTERY WAS A SUSPICION. A NEW BATTERY WAS BOUGHT AND THEN WE WERE TOLD A SPECIFIC BATTERY WAS NEEDED WHICH WE OBTAINED AND PUT INTO THE CAR. I AM UNSURE IF THE BATTERY IS THE ISSUE (AT THIS POINT I DON'T THINK IT IS). RECENTLY, THE CAR AT ABOUT 86K MILES, HAS HAD TIMES WHERE IT DOES NOT START. FOR EXAMPLE, TIMES WHERE WE GO TO THE STORE OR EVEN LEFT OVERNIGHT, THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON. NO SIGN OF LIFE AT ALL. WE WAIT A WHILE THEN TRY IT AGAIN. AFTER A WHILE, THE CAR EVENTUALLY TURNS ON BUT THERE IS NO TELLING HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE. THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHERE WE ARE DRIVING AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS WILL ALL TURN ON AT ONCE THEN TURN OFF. OTHER TIMES WE WILL BE DRIVING AND THE RADIO/CLOCK SCREEN WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF AND ON AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. AT THIS POINT WE ARE WORRIED WE WILL BE STRANDED IF WE TAKE THIS CAR OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY. THE CAR HAS NOT TURNED ON WHILE AT HOME, VISITING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, AND AT WORK. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND RADIO FACE ACTS UP WHILE DRIVING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS EVER CAME ON.

NHTSA ID

11388734

Incident

Jan 13, 2021

Mileage

86,000 mi