NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
382 reports10,000 miles · Feb 6, 2015
Power Train
THE CAR WON'T START AT TIMES. I TURN THE KEY, ALL THE LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON, NO POWER TO START THE ENGINE, NO NOISE, NO CRANK, NOTHING. IF I WIGGLE THE GEAR SELECTOR GENTLY IT WILL START. LAST NIGHT IT WAS STUCK IN PARK AND I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, WIGGLE THE SELECTOR A LITTLE AGAIN, AND THEN IT STARTED AND UNLOCKED THE GEA…
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THE CAR WON'T START AT TIMES. I TURN THE KEY, ALL THE LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON, NO POWER TO START THE ENGINE, NO NOISE, NO CRANK, NOTHING. IF I WIGGLE THE GEAR SELECTOR GENTLY IT WILL START. LAST NIGHT IT WAS STUCK IN PARK AND I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, WIGGLE THE SELECTOR A LITTLE AGAIN, AND THEN IT STARTED AND UNLOCKED THE GEAR SELECTOR. AND YES, MY FOOT IS ALWAYS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WHEN I TRY TO SHIFT GEARS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10681786
14,000 miles · Jan 15, 2015
SteeringSuspension
ON THE ELANTRA GT, THERE IS NOTABLE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHEN HOLDING THE VEHICLE IN A TURN TO GO AROUND A CURVE, SUCH AS A HIGHWAY RAMP, THE VEHICLE'S REAR END WILL HOP IF IT HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. I IMAGINE THIS HAPPENS WHEN GOING STRAIGHT AS WELL, BUT IS NOT AS NOTICEABLE. WHEN GOING AROUND A CURVE, T…
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ON THE ELANTRA GT, THERE IS NOTABLE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHEN HOLDING THE VEHICLE IN A TURN TO GO AROUND A CURVE, SUCH AS A HIGHWAY RAMP, THE VEHICLE'S REAR END WILL HOP IF IT HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. I IMAGINE THIS HAPPENS WHEN GOING STRAIGHT AS WELL, BUT IS NOT AS NOTICEABLE. WHEN GOING AROUND A CURVE, THE BACK AND WILL FISHTAIL SLIGHTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE IN ITS PATH. ON DRY ROAD, THIS DOESN'T USUALLY PRESENT A PROBLEM AS TRACTION IS RESTORED QUICKLY. HOWEVER, ON A WET OR SLICK ROAD THE SITUATION COULD PROVE TO BE MORE DANGEROUS. LUCKILY, THAT SCENARIO HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME. YET. THERE ARE VARIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ACROSS THE INTERNET FOR ALL MODELS OF THE CURRENT GENERATION ELANTRA (COUPE, SEDAN AND HATCHBACK). SOME PEOPLE REPORT THAT CHANGING THE REAR SHOCKS WITH BETTER AFTERMARKET ONES SEEMS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10672698
1,500 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UP TO 55-70 MPH, I NOTICED WHEN I GO OVER POTHOLES THE ENTIRE BACKEND FISH TAILS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I HIT A POTHOLE, UNEVEN TRAIN TRACKS OR UNEVEN ROAD CONDITIONS.TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T EITHER. NOW I'…
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WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UP TO 55-70 MPH, I NOTICED WHEN I GO OVER POTHOLES THE ENTIRE BACKEND FISH TAILS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I HIT A POTHOLE, UNEVEN TRAIN TRACKS OR UNEVEN ROAD CONDITIONS.TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T EITHER. NOW I'M AT ANOTHER HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO ALSO CANNOT REPLICATE. I'VE NOTICED A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AND NOW IT'S WINTER. LOTS OF ROADS ARE HORRIBLE IN ILLINOIS AND I'M AFRAID IF I HIT A POTHOLE WHILE THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND THAT MY CAR WILL SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASH. I AGREE WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINANT THAT IT WILL TAKE A DEATH BEFORE HYUNDAI DOES ANYTHING. I SAW ON CAR COMPLAINTS THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE SINCE THE 2013 MODEL YET HAS DONE NOTHING. I FEEL BAD FOR GIVING THE DEALERSHIP A BAD REVIEW BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO NOTICE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND I WENT BACK TO HYUNDAI BECAUSE I HAD SUCH GREAT LUCK WITH MY 2003 ELANTRA, ALSO BRAND NEW. I CAN'T SAY THE SAME ABOUT MY 2014 ELANTRA, THEY LOOK NICER BUT NOT SURE ABOUT THE QUALITY UNDER THE BODY. ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TIRES SPIN ON THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF WET CONDITION, LOOKED THAT UP AND THE HANKOOK OPTIMOS HAVE BEEN GIVEN HORRIBLE REVIEWS. MIGHT WANT TO RETHINK THE MODEL AND TIRE USED, I'VE OWNED A NO-NAME BRAND TIRE AND DIDN'T HAVE THAT ISSUE. THEY MAY NOT LAST LONG BUT AT LEAST I FELT SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10670763
2,500 miles · Jan 2, 2015
SteeringSuspension
PURCHASED VEHICLE MAY 2013. NOTICED IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT SEVERELY. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE. TOOK SHOP FOREMAN FOR A RIDE ON 3 LANE 65 MPH HIGHWAY. TAKING A LEFT CURVE I LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL. CAR PULLED TO RIGHT AND CROSSED TWO LANES. THEY DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. ALL I REMEMBER IS ROTATION OF TIRES A…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE MAY 2013. NOTICED IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT SEVERELY. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE. TOOK SHOP FOREMAN FOR A RIDE ON 3 LANE 65 MPH HIGHWAY. TAKING A LEFT CURVE I LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL. CAR PULLED TO RIGHT AND CROSSED TWO LANES. THEY DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. ALL I REMEMBER IS ROTATION OF TIRES AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NEVER BE ROTATED AGAIN. CAR IS EASIER TO DRIVE BUT NOT COMPLETELY REPAIRED. TIRED OF MESSING WITH IT. I HATE THIS CAR AND DO NOT LIKE DRIVING IT. THERE IS A STEERING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON MY TIRES, THEY HAVE 18,000 MILES ON THEM AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669673
15,000 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT READING ACCURATELY AND FLUCTUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10668980
10,550 miles · Dec 26, 2014
Electrical System
THE STARTER MOTOR SPORADICALLY REFUSES TO CRANK. IT SEEMS JARRING THE SHIFT LEVER OR TOWING THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. ONE TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP THUS FAR WITH NO REPAIR DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668337
1,500 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Seat Belts
BOTH FRONT SEATBELTS ARE DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND DETERMINE IF THEY ARE SECURE. SEVERAL TIMES, THE DRIVERS SEATBELT HAS FAILED TO BE SECURED PROPERLY (COME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION) DUE TO SHORT LENGTH OF STATIONARY PORTION OF SEATBELT. THE STATIONARY PORTION IS TOO SHORT, AND LOCATED IN A "HOLE" BETWEEN THE DRIVE…
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BOTH FRONT SEATBELTS ARE DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND DETERMINE IF THEY ARE SECURE. SEVERAL TIMES, THE DRIVERS SEATBELT HAS FAILED TO BE SECURED PROPERLY (COME UNLATCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION) DUE TO SHORT LENGTH OF STATIONARY PORTION OF SEATBELT. THE STATIONARY PORTION IS TOO SHORT, AND LOCATED IN A "HOLE" BETWEEN THE DRIVERS HIP AND CONSOLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS OPERATING "AS DESIGNED" AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I ADVISED THEM THAT THEY DESIGNED THE SYSTEM THAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING, AND THEY WERE FAILING TO "OWN THEIR PROBLEM". HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED (IN WRITING) TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I ENCOUNTER NO PROBLEMS WITH OTHER HYUNDAI VEHICLES WHICH I HAVE OPERATED EXTENSIVELY. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10662044
8,080 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES, BUT YESTERDAY WAS THE LATEST. WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON (WHICH IS FOR THE ESC) AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DE-ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 35 MPH. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. THE CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND SOUNDED LIKE IT HAD A …
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THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES, BUT YESTERDAY WAS THE LATEST. WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON (WHICH IS FOR THE ESC) AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DE-ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 35 MPH. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR BRAKE. THE CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND SOUNDED LIKE IT HAD A FLAT TIRE - IT WAS HARD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT FINALLY RETURNED TO NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY CHECKED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THE SENSORS ON THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND TRACTION CONTROL AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG EITHER BY COMPUTER ERROR CODES OR BY VISUALLY INSPECTING THE PARTS OR SENSORS. SO, I HAVE NO RECOURSE OTHER THAN CALLING HYUNDAI AND GETTING A CASE SET UP SO THAT IT CAN BE DOCUMENTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653128
1,000 miles · Oct 16, 2014
Traction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT SHUT OFF, THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT SHUT OFF, THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
NHTSA ODI #10648167
1,900 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN PREMIER CP671 TIRES, SIZE P215/45R17. AFTER DRIVING OVER A SMALL POTHOLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AND THE SIDEWALL FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN PREMIER CP671 TIRES, SIZE P215/45R17. AFTER DRIVING OVER A SMALL POTHOLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AND THE SIDEWALL FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 1,900.
NHTSA ODI #10641638
Official recalls
2Sep 22, 2023
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 cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Nov 30, 2017
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. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.