Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
As I was pulling up to a gas pump, my car suddenly accelerated. Applied the brakes to stop but it kept accelerating. My choices were to hit the car in front of me or a snow bank. I chose the snow bank. Tons of damage to my car. Don't have that info yet, though.
I am the owner of a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. That car is 8 years old and has 69K miles on it. At no time did Hyundai Motor Company notify that my car was impacted by an engine failure recall. On November 10, 2022 the car was being driven. At no time did it give any potential warning, instead the car fully stopped while in motion at 25 mph. There was no warning, no lights appeared on the dashboard until the car had stalled itself out. When I called the local dealer where the car was purchased, I was promised a call back. That call never came. I was able to contact someone at corporate who did confirm the vin number of my car is on an engine recall. I was told to contact a local dealer to find someone to replace the recall alerts. Again the local SURESKY dealer cannot help me. …
Oct 24th, 2024 on highway had accelerated to 75, all of a sudden, car experienced mechanical shutdown, engine light came on would go fast slow down, felt like braking down, engine light was solid, had to get very slowly somehow into the brake down lane. Turned the car off, waited long time...got advice to try to power car back on because was night and was dangerous lane. Car started, drove very slowly home with hazard lights on. Next incident (that I was on hgwy) Nov 24th, 2024 went from 65 to work up to 80MPh, the car lights went on for engine, slowing down,no control of the speed, no accelerating, lights, made to pull over...turn car off...waiting 15 minutes, drove in break down lane, was only 7-8 minutes from my house off highway.
January 29th my check engine light came on and I was not able to go no more than 40mph. there is a knocking noise coming from the engine. took it to autozone and the code was P1326. Now when I start it up it has a smoking smell to it and the knocking is getting louder. I have not driven my vehicle since January 29 2022 The knocking noise first started January 24th. I see there is a recall for this issue with other Hyundai vehicles but for some reason it is not showed for my vin. One Hyundai dealership told me they can not look at my vehicle until march1
I was commuting home from work when suddenly there was smoke coming from under the hood and the vehicle completely stopped working in the middle of the road. It would not accelerate and I had to get help to move it into a parking lot. I had to get it towed to my home. The car will not start. If we turn the key to try to start it, the engine starts smoking.
Had a near death incident at freeway speeds in heavy rain when the car lost total control, hydro-planed from the 2nd to left lane and hit the cement barricade on the left and in the process the steering wheel is locked along with the brakes and with that impact, ricocheted all the way to the right hand shoulder of a 4-lane freeway before coming to a stop. Freeway is 280 s (san francisco to san jose). Location was palo alto, just a few miles after sand hill rd exit (menlo park) where the freeway is just straight for miles without any steep curves. Have driven so many other brands over the last 20 years in heavy rain on the same freeway without an incident. The car cannot handle freeway speeds and became very unstable. …
Steering wanders on a straight road. Driving in a straight line is nearly impossible. More noticeable at highway speeds, but also at city speeds, the vehicle requires constant correction to maintain a straight track. The car simply 'wanders' or 'drifts' left and right, with no real 'centered' feel to the steering. Maintaining a straight track is impossible and requires constant attention and correction. The steering wander creates hazardous driving conditions, especially on wet or icy surfaces and driver fatigue, which poses a public safety hazard. The vehicle has been brought to the Hyundai dealership over 10 times for resolution, and the manufacturer has been informed twice. The dealership and manufacturer denies there is a problem and states that the individual does not know how to drive and/or that the individual would have to wait for a recall. …
The check engine light illuminated intermittently at 92K miles, then the engine started making noises intermittently, and then the vehicle was slow to accelerate intermittently. The knock sensor software upgrade had previously been installed. The synthetic oil had been changed at 82K and 86K. South point Hyundai changed the oil, replaced the battery and turbocharger at 92381 miles. Around 93246 miles the intermittent engine noises and intermittent no acceleration and slow acceleration are back, and the check engine light is not illuminating. Returned my Sonata to south point Hyundai who reports the engine is bad, but there are no diagnostic error codes, and they are waiting to hear back from Hyundai on how to proceed. Hence, the knock sensor software update is not a corrective action for detecting engine failure, alerting drivers to engine failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook violently. The contact stated that the speedometer failed to indicate the increase in speed when the accelerator pedal was depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to tuscaloosa Hyundai (3831 hargrove rd e, tuscaloosa, al 35405 [phone]) where it was inspected and the tires were balanced. The dealer diagnosed that the motor mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front brakes and the front passenger side axle needed to be replaced. The brakes were repaired, but the axle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V226000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,315.
I was just entering the city slowing from a 55 MPH zone to a 45 coming up to a traffic light when I hit the brake to release the cruise control, as I slowed down with my foot still breaking then released the brake the cruise tried to reactivate. I pressed the brake again and released and again the cruise feature tried to accelerate. I did notice that the 'set' light was off as it does when you brake but the cruise was still trying to speed up when brake released. I purchased this vehicle new, it has a little over 95K miles, but I have never had this issue before. I came to a stop at the light at which time when I released the brake it was not trying to self-activate. Especially coming into city traffic this was very concerning.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
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.
Acceleration complaints in other Sonata years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2014 Hyundai Sonata, 3% of the model year's 750 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Hyundai Sonata acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2014 Hyundai Sonata, though it has 7 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 Sonata acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.