2014 Hyundai Elantra: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
383 NHTSA owner complaints · 2 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The fifth-generation Elantra (2011–2016) carries complaints about the engine's piston-slap ticking, premature brake wear, and — with the highest counts — steering that pulls and wanders, which Hyundai addressed with a software update to the electric power steering. The 2011–2013 years are the worst of it; 2014–2016 score above 78. Read the full note on the model page. 2014 specifically: a year the record favours — 383 complaints, score 78/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe and Elantra: beyond the engine recall, including 2014 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 383 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 31.92
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
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.
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 …
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 t…
Recalls: 2 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 23V651000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 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… |
| 17V769000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 31 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine164 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Service Brakes87 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
- Electrical System47 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other46 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Hydraulic45 complaints · typical job: Brake master cylinder or ABS module replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,520
- Air Bags32 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
Other Hyundai Elantra years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (164 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2014 Hyundai Elantra a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 78/100, computed from 383 NHTSA complaints and 2 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2014 Hyundai Elantra's most common problem?
164 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2014 Hyundai Elantra sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2014 Hyundai Elantra cost to run per year?
About $4,986 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $24,930 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2014 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for the 2014 Hyundai Elantra, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 22/09/2023. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compacts of about the same age.
What will a 2014 Hyundai Elantra really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 383 complaints, 2 recalls on record
- 383 NHTSA complaints on record (31.9/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (32.7/yr)
- 2 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems