Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while at a stop when the contact accelerated to move forward and the vehicle accelerated at high speed and the contact noticed white smoke was coming from the exhaust of the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the rings around the engine needed to be replaced and that the vehicle had an oil leak, The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
I am reporting a failure I personally witnessed while servicing a 2014 Hyundai Elantra; I am not the vehicle owner. On September 24, 2026, at approximately 11 PM and approximately 124,160 miles, both stop/retaining tabs on the automatic transmission oil-level check plug broke during rotation while attempting to remove it for a fluid-level check. The plug continued turning, and I discovered the two broken tabs. I did not deliberately pry or manipulate the tabs. Photographs document the damaged plug and two detached pieces. I believe the plug may have a design or durability defect. My safety concern is that damaged retention features could compromise sealing, potentially allowing transmission-fluid loss and loss of propulsion. These are potential consequences, not events that occurred here. The failure occurred during stationary maintenance, not while driving. …
Car engages into drive with a jolt. Sometimes at traffic lights, it just doesn't move forward when brakes are let go & then I have to raise the RPM to 3K+ to bring it back to motion, again with a big jolt. While driving on the freeway or streets, if you slow down, the car might choose not to engage back in up gears until you rev up the RPMs, and again with a big jolt. Took it to a mechanic shop to find out, as per Hyundai Repair Guidelines, if the car is put to drive, brakes on & the input speed in the scan tool shows non-zero value, which means its an internal Tranny failure and Tranny needs replaced. Such a premature failure of transmission. The car only has 130K miles on it & Tranny fluid has been always replaced as per the manufacturer-recommended intervals. …
The 2.0L Nu GDI engine in this vehicle is experiencing terminal internal failure. Following a P1326 KSDS warning event, a borescope inspection at an authorized dealership documented severe cylinder wall scoring in all four cylinders. Despite this documented internal block destruction, the manufacturer has denied the mandated settlement warranty repair based on a software-based proxy test (BCT). The vehicle was returned in an unsafe condition and is currently stalling and vibrating violently while in traffic, posing an immediate risk of loss of power and traffic collision. The manufacturer is ignoring the documented physical failure of a core engine component.
There is a significant problem with this car where the check engine and dashboard lights flicker on and then the car stalls and loses all power immediately. This has happened multiple times, including on the highway, which was a significant safety hazard. Upon taking the car to a Hyundai dealer, they indicated problems with the engine that require an engine replacement that would cost on the order of $8,000-9,000. Upon further research, we found two class action settlements related to engine problems for Hyundai vehicles of this type/age, but Hyundai says this vehicle is not covered due to mileage of 101,400.
I own a 2014 Hyundai Elantra. When the accelerator pedal is engaged, the vehicle hesitates and only accelerates to about 20 mph. The vehicle also stalls while at a complete stop and while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed multiple times, but a failure code could not be found. The mechanic cleaned all the sensors; however, the failure was not corrected. The mechanic stated that the throttle body was causing the vehicle not to accelerate and stall while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall and The vehicle was not repaired.
I had my vehicle serviced to diagnose a ticking problem I had. I was told that it's an engine issue & known to Hyundai. As I was traveling 177 miles from home, the engine lost power and failed. Thankfully it didn't cause an accident. My engine has less than 100,000 miles!!! This should not happen and every engine that experiences this ought to be replaced through a recall!! Probably, most people don't even realize this is a problem and let themselves be taken advantage of.
Engine has failed at 67,000 and resembles the 2018 class action lawsuit. Dealership/Hyundai Motor will not fix it because vehicle is not in a "cold weather state" even though it is a known issue in the car. I have had the vehicle for not even four years, the vehicle came from a cold weather state where it spent over half the vehicle life and 1/3 of its miles.
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.
Engine was experiencing ticking/knocking. Car stalled on freeway, and now the Engine must be replaced. Identical problem as seen in the 2018 class action lawsuit. Car experiencing same symptoms and confirmed by mechanic, despite not being in a cold-weather state.
Transmission complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Hyundai Elantra, 6% of the model year's 396 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2014 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.