What 378 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Elantra Gt

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 Administration investigate this issue and ensure Hyundai expands its recall and warranty coverage to include affected 2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited vehicles exhibiting this defect that was well-known to the Hyundai Corporation. Date of Incident: October 23,2025 in Houston Texas. Vehicle towed to Hyundai dealer which diagnosed Engine Seized and currently awaiting Warranty Extension Approval (TXXC/TXXI)

NHTSA ODI 11697541

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 ODI 11672635

There is a light is always on and it says passenger airbag off

NHTSA ODI 11672636

The traction contril indicator is always light is always showing up on the dashboard at the night time till morning since a couple of months so far.

NHTSA ODI 11672638

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, and the engine revved abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while stopped at a stopped sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle jerked forward before accelerating. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 94,512.

NHTSA ODI 11664789

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.

NHTSA ODI 11663504

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 ODI 11660767

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11638052

The engine in my car (Hyundai Elantra gt 2014) basically did everything I read about all the other Hyundai engines doing that are under engine recalls. Years ago it started having misfires, had the catalytic converter or parts of it replaced, sensors, over consuming oil, loud noises when it's lower on oil and eventually it just recently died. Unfortunately it's only 11,000 miles over the extended warranty period to get it replaced. The bad engine stuff basically broke the current catalytic converter and the dealership wants over 10,000 dollars to fix it and replace the engine... not including tax. The worse part is sometime like a year ago I went to a dealership because I had an apt for an oil change. The day before my check engine light turned on. So at the apt while checking in my car I mentioned to the guy taking photos of my car that the check engine light was on and please check it out. I waited two hours for them to give me my keys back and say I didn't make the appointment for the check engine light so they couldn't see what was wrong with it that day. And that had never happened before. At the time I had only been to dealerships to fix my car and The dealerships always agreed to check out the engine light when it was on except for this one time. Felt like I was getting pushed out the door. So I've spent the last year going to other mechanics attempting to fix the check engine light and it always just came back on when I got my car back. Tune ups, spark plugs, cylinder misfires. Elantra GT's are not represented in any of the recall articles I read about online so I felt the need to share my story because I think my car had the same engine as some of the other cars. RIP Elantra GT

NHTSA ODI 11637325

Engine failure related to piston slapping in upper motor. 3 months out of warranty and 115,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11635836

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The RPM decreased significantly, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 22-01-023H-2; however, the repair was not covered under the program. The failure mileage was 138,500.

NHTSA ODI 11633448

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.

NHTSA ODI 11624837

Having trouble with fuel pump. Have had many appts. With my mechanic. Has lost power while driving and had to have it towed in. Engine light stays on no matter sensors.

NHTSA ODI 11622665

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to stop. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,556.

NHTSA ODI 11618021

I submitted an online repair request to Capitol Hyundai of San Jose for ABS Fuse Replacement (XXX) Recall Code: 251. However, their website shows no available appointment dates in 2024, 2025, or 2026. My concern was that not having any repair appointment slots available for this recall amounted to a refusal to perform the recall work. I submitted a complaint to Hyundai Consumer Affairs [XXX] ) regarding Capitol Hyundai's refusal to service this recall, but was told the following: "State laws limit our ability to intervene with dealership transactions as each Hyundai dealership is independently owned and operated. We recommend you contact the manager of the service department or the General Manager of the dealership at (408) 445-1500 to discuss your concerns with there not being any availability at their location." In other words, Hyundai Consumer Affairs said that it could not require that Capitol Hyundai perform the recall work. I am concerned that Capitol Hyundai of San Jose is refusing to repair my vehicle by blocking all appointment dates related to this recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11618143

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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11615232

Air bag warning light repeatedly on due to a bad harness connection under the drivers seat. This is the fourth time.

NHTSA ODI 11612001

I got into a car accident because when I hit my brakes, instead of slowing the car down or stopping it. My car start it, skip it and you could feel it in the break like clicking like click boom, click boom, click boom.And then all of a sudden boom, I hit the car in front of me, could it stopped the car at all and I was only going thirty miles an hour

NHTSA ODI 11608389

Airbag sensor on dash board states air bag is off and driver dashboard still reflects issue. Air bag fuses were checked:they are okay.

NHTSA ODI 11607739

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 local dealer was contacted. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11607574

Ticking or knocking in the engine, as many other have described. Engine does not accelerator properly due to this issue, causing safety issues with accelerating to merge or enter traffic. Known defect that should be covered by Hyundai as regular scheduled maintenance has been completed.

NHTSA ODI 11607194

The contact owned a 2014 Hyundai Elantra.  The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the parking lot, the vehicle caught on fire.  The contact stated that the vehicle had not been driven in four days. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire.  The vehicle was towed to the local tow yard.  The contact stated that the vehicle was condemned total lost by the insurance company.  The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. 

NHTSA ODI 11604221

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was a loud sound coming from the vehicle and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact researched online and became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after waiting approximately two weeks, an appointment was scheduled for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for the recall repair, and the contact was informed that the brake module needed to be replaced but was not included in the recall repair. The contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The recall repair was performed; however, the brake module was not replaced. The contact stated that the reason the brake module needed to be replaced was because of the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

NHTSA ODI 11602777

unknown

NHTSA ODI 11602489

When I accelerate the gears grind and the car does not want to go any faster than 25 miles an hour.

NHTSA ODI 11596015