What 741 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata

Updated NHTSA Complaint DraftVehicle Information: 2014 Hyundai SonataVIN: [XXX] Incident Date: XXX Description of Safety Defect:While driving on XXX, the vehicle's engine experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure and completely shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of motive power. This sudden engine stall created an extreme, hazardous traffic safety risk.A subsequent professional inspection revealed that the vehicle's odometer had been illegally rolled back and tampered with by the selling dealership (Johny's Auto Center in 120 bleu hill ave Roxbury, MA) 02119 prior to purchase. The true, undocumented mileage of the engine is significantly higher than indicated, directly causing this sudden component failure. I am reporting this incident both as a critical vehicle safety defect and as a case of illegal odometer fraud. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11747015

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after driving over a pothole, the steering wheel became difficult to handle, with a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11728583

I am having an issue with the driver's front airbag clock spring assembly in my 2014 Hyundai Sonata. I see that there is a recall on the 2011-2014 Elantra vehicles, 2011-2013 Sonata vehicles, and 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid vehicles for up to 15 years, but my 2014 Sonata is having the same issue. My car is not a hybrid, but what do I need to do in order to get this covered? Everything that the recall is describing is going on with my vehicle. The airbag light stays on, a non-functional horn, and/or inoperative steering wheel controls, the steering column makes a noise when turned.

NHTSA ODI 11653408

Just purchased the sedan and took it to a shop to get checked Reason for the doing was because vehicle felt a lil rough after getting the vehicle checked they came to the conclusion that the motor had seized

NHTSA ODI 11651934

I was driving and the linkage on the left side of steering column broke off. I could only go to the right. Thank god it did it right after I got off the interstate.

NHTSA ODI 11639999

Steering wheel issue. It jolts and shakes around when going over bumps or when parking the vehicle and steering the vehicle to a parked position, you can feel the steering shake around. Had it inspected locally and was told to take it to a dealership for a steering column issue. Feels unsafe to take on longer drives or for too long on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11594236

On Feb 15th 2023 my daughter was driving my 2014 Hyundai Sonata at the posted speed limit of 55 MPH on a 2 lane blacktop when the car suddenly and without any warning at all, lost all power and became unresponsive while traveling with other vehicles behind her, in front of her and in the opposing lane of travel. Without enough of an improved shoulder to pull to the right and a steep embankment on that side of the roadway as well, she was forced to veer to the left with other cars approaching. She had minimal braking, steering and no response to depressing the accelerator pedal at all. She was able to direct the car onto a paved portion of a feeder road and finally got the car stopped. The cabin filled with smoke and there was smoke all around the car but no fire was ever found. These vehicles are dangerous to the public and have a known engine defect that because of this the manufacturer has implemented a software patch known as KSDS and with this recall in place should have allowed my daughter to reach a safer place than being stranding on the side of a busy hi-way. My car had this patch installed and I was assured that this recall would allow the car to be driven a safe distance and it would be obvious when this patch was active and the engine would be put in "Limp mode" This did not happen, the engine locked up

NHTSA ODI 11584571

Steering Column had to be replaced with only 42000 miles on the car

NHTSA ODI 11573958

On the dashboard showing " Hybrid system warning. Safely park and do not drive" sign while the vehicle is being driven and slowly loose its power till completely stall. After I turn off the engine and try to turn on again ,the "Ready" sign keeps blinking. I was twice stall by the exit of a freeway. It's very dangerous. I also found a few recalls related to this issue in the past.

NHTSA ODI 11537194

While driving normally on the highway I received the "Hybrid Safety Warning: Do Not Drive!" error. The engine began sputtering uncontrollably, the brakes weren't fully responsive and I lost power steering. Thankfully I was able to coast down the road and pull over. If this had happened in traffic I can't imagine an accident would not have happened. Not being able to brake safely or steering properly while your engine is sputtering out of control is terrifying and a MAJOR mistake in design and implementation.

NHTSA ODI 11532594

My car has been at the dealer since 5/3 which i had an appointment for the TXXI engine failure and fuel pump 227 recalls. I was driving my lights all came on and the car decelerated and wouldn't speed up anymore the steering wheel also got tight.i just got oil change at the end of March and haven't been any long distances. I was told 2 days later that my car was being diagnosed it is now 5/10 and I'm still being told my car is being diagnosed with absolutely no update, they also refuse to give me a rental car or provide a out of house rental... They are making me pay out of pocket for rentals then can only post for reimbursement which isn't guaranteed after the work is done but cannot give me any type of word on even when the diagnostic will be done. I asked if they have any order to diagnosing like is it in order he said no i said so someone can bring their car in after mine and get completed before for same thing just depending on which the technician decides to do the advisor said yes candidly. I've been calling for updates and have not received anything other than the diagnosis is still not done after 7 days. I'm paying for a car that i don't have access to and it's not being expedited in order. When i dropped the car off they said it would take 4 days tops with are they starting my car then not finishing.

NHTSA ODI 11521336

Check Charging system warning pops on and the car slowly loses power. Steering and braking are effected. So many people with this issue. It's scary. No highway driving for me!

NHTSA ODI 11514349

The contact owned a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated there was play in the steering wheel while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown repair was completed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle made abnormal sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the engine oil. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel loosened up inadvertently and she lost control of the vehicle. The contact depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to respond, causing the vehicle to crash into two occupied vehicles. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a seat belt mark, and soreness on the neck and shoulders. The contact also sustained numbness in the right hand. The contact later sought medical assistance. The occupants of the other vehicle did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was awaiting to be totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA ODI 11505840

Just recently my 2014 Hyundai Sonata started making a clicking noise when it goes over 35MPH I've had it inspected by two shops and they do not know where it's coming from. Less than a week later my car died while I was driving with my two children and the smell of burnt something was coming from inside the vehicle it seemed. The car only flashed the check engine light before it stalled. I do regular maintenance

NHTSA ODI 11466496

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering column started to shake and was making popping noises. The contact safely parked the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the flexible steering coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ODI 11456369

The coupling linkage in the steering system has a piece that is deteriorating. This causes the steering mechanism to slip and then clunks into place after turning the wheel a few centimeters. I have spoken with the mechanic about this he states this is a common issue with the Hyundai vehicles. The replacement of the part is extremely cheap but the labor cost is huge as the steering column has to be opened up and closed.

NHTSA ODI 11447681

MY STEERING SYSTEM IS LOOSE AND MAKE THE CAR HARD TO CONTROL AT TIMES. I HAVE HAD A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DONE WHICH HAS NOT HELPED. I HAVE HYUNDAI ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY HELP IN THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THE THE STEERING WHEEL COUPLER IS MADE OF PLASTIC. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11415711

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE, VIBRATE AND MADE A CLICKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS STEERING COLUMN FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. GREENWAY HYUNDAI OF THE SHOALS (122 US-43, TUSCUMBIA, AL 35674) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE 100,000 MILES WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI 11414997

AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ONE DAY MY WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF, I WAS UNABLE TO STEER. I ALMOST HIT TWO CARS WHILE DRIVING, ON MY DASH THE WHEEL LOGO WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT CAME ON AND SLEEPY ROAD ICON AS WELL. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE THAT DAY, I WENT TO AN ADVANCED AUTO PART BECAUSE I FELT LIKE IT WAS A POWER STEERING PROBLEM, I BOUGHT POWER STEERING FLUID ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MY CAR IS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND THE ICONS WENT AWAY, THE NEXT DAY IT DID THE SAME THING OUT OF NOWHERE BUT THANKFULLY I WAS IN A CLEAR ROAD. THIS DEFECT HAS PUT A RISK ON MY LIFE AND WILL TO OTHERS, PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11413883

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY GOING NO MORE THAN 45 MPH AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND IT SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. I TRIED TO GET A JUMP BUT IT STILL DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. THERE WAS NO ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ON MY DASHBOARD BESIDES ECO. THE CAR HASN'T HAD ANY ISSUES AT ALL. FOR SOME STRANGE REASON MY STEERING WHEEL BEEN LOCKING A LOT.

NHTSA ODI 11375665

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCED VOLKSWAGEN KIA HYUNDAI WHOLESALE PARTS (1530 W. MAIN ST, MERCED, CA 95340) WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11374874

STEERING COLUMN FEELS TO HAVE PLAY WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT DIRECTION

NHTSA ODI 11363837

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, APX 70MPH, OCCASIONALLY MY 2014 SONATA GLS WILL COMPLETELY DIE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES NOT IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, ALWAYS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION USUALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DASH LIGHTS ALL GO BLACK, RADIO CUTS OFF, AND ENGINE DIES, FOR APX 2-3 SECONDS, AND THEN USUALLY TURNS ITSELF BACK ON LIKE IT NEVER DIED. OCCASIONALLY THOUGH THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ITSELF BACK ON. WHEN IT DIES, THE STEERING ALSO BECOMES VERY STIFF AND THE BRAKES ARE EXTREMELY HARD TO USE. MY CAR HAS ONLY 112XXX MILES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON OR ANY CODES STORED WHEN CHECKED. I'VE CONTACTED HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTER MULTIPLE TIMES. EACH TIME THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CAN'T HELP ME, THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND I SHOULD 'CHECK MY BATTERY CONNECTIONS'. I HAVE, THEY ARE ALL FINE. I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY THREE CHILDREN. THREE MECHANICS NOW HAVE CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11340245

STEERING GETS REAL LOOSE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL COUPLER. CAUSES A LOT OF PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU TURN. THE COUPLER IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC I THINK AND IT WEARS AGAINST METAL.

NHTSA ODI 11338146

I HAD TOOK THE CAR TO DODGE CITY KS TO GET THE RECALL FIXED FOR THE ENGINE AND THEY SAID THEY CHANGED THE RODS THAT WHERE DEFECTIVE AND AS I WAS DRIVING THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE, SHAKES AS I CAN TELL NOTHING WAS FIXED THAN I JUST GOT ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE FUEL TUBE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331186