32 of the
550 complaints about the 2014 Hyundai Elantra are about the
airbag system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
41,672 miles.
Vehicle Information: 2014 Hyundai Elantra SE Sedan, 4-Cylinder, 6-Speed Automatic, FWD Build Location: USA-Built Version (Montgomery, AL - VIN '5NP') Ownership: Second owner, purchased Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) from the Hyundai of New Port Richey dealer (Florida) in March 2016. Vehicle is owned outright. Mileage: 128,638 Approximate Date Incident Noticed: October 1, 2025 DESCRIPTION OF CRITICAL SAFETY DEFECT & WARRANTY REJECTION I am reporting a failure of the clock spring assembly, which compromises critical safety features and poses an unreasonable risk, especially since this vehicle regularly transports passengers, including children. My VIN was rejected by the Hyundai TXXA Clock Spring Extended Warranty validator despite exhibiting the exact failures covered by the campaign. Safety Failures: Airbag (SRS): Warning light is constantly illuminated; driver-side airbag is disabled and will not deploy, endangering the driver and front passenger. Horn: Completely inoperable, eliminating a vital safety communication feature required to warn other drivers. Cruise Control: Buttons on the steering wheel are non-functional. These failures are caused by a broken electrical connection within the clock spring (which typically runs the Airbag, Horn, and Cruise Control circuits). I believe the denial is related to my vehicle being the USA-Built version (VIN '5NP'). I request that NHTSA investigate why this safety campaign arbitrarily excludes USA-built Elantras (but not Korean-built) experiencing the identical failure, thereby placing an unreasonable repair cost burden on owners for a critical safety component.
NHTSA complaint #11699634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dubuque, IA
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11672635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dubuque, IA
AIR BAGS
There is a light is always on and it says passenger airbag off
NHTSA complaint #11672636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edgewater, MD
AIR BAGS
Air bag warning light repeatedly on due to a bad harness connection under the drivers seat. This is the fourth time.
NHTSA complaint #11612001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watsonville, CA
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11607739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
AIR BAGS
Good Morning, This model and year of vehicle has had so many defects. I have paid hundreds of dollars over simple vehicle factors that Hyundai Manufacturers should really assess while pushing them to the market. This mode has had many brake light defect all consisting of the electrical wiring. I have changed MANY times the Brie lights bulbs only for them to blowout within a week. This is a roadway safety issue. Worse of all the ENGINE Is Faulty and the vehicles for this specific year tend to seize up or blowout due to the vehicle burning oil WAY BEFORE 3000 miles. I’ve had to change oil now every month because the engine will literally start making a screeching noise under the hood. Only to realize that the car has zero oil yet zero leaks under 1000 miles of driven. The dealership recently changed my oil and filter and after 1,500 miles I realized the engine making this noise for the 3rd time. I have now filed a complaint with their head office, to only have them dismiss me and not care for the safety of others. I am most definitely not the first person that owns this model and has been phasing with this SAFETY problem. Please help us out and investigate this matter. This is not ethical practice and we should not be worried about our safety on a manufacturing defect.
NHTSA complaint #11463812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MOCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I was involved in an accident where I was rear ended at a high rate of speed and pushed into the vehicle in front of me. I was thrown forward, hitting my head/left eye on something inside the vehicle. I received significant facial injuries and neck pain. My car was totaled from the impact but not a single airbag deployed. I cannot believe this is how airbags are intended to function, why have them if they are not going to deploy in a situation like this!
NHTSA complaint #11437538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesJacksonville, FL
AIR BAGS
I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS OIL CHANGES AND I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT. THE CAR LEFT SIDE FRONT TIRE STARTED SCREECHING AND THE CAR KEPT JERKING. THEN THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I DROVE IT THE NEXT DAY AND WAS ON MY WAY HOME AND AS SOON AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE CAR STALLED AND WILL NOT CRANK UP AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #11388768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASED MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN 2018 FROM A DEALER IN GILBERT. THE VEHICLE WAS PRE-OWNED BUT RECORDS DO NOT INDICATE ANY ACCIDENTS. RECENTLY I HAVE STARTED TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. IT STARTED OUT AS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE BUT NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. I LEARNED THE ILLUMINATED AIRBAG LIGHT MEANS MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. I'VE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH AIRBAGS IN ANY VEHICLE I'VE OWNED. SOME HAVING OVER 300,000 MILES. HYUNDAI HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI AMERICA. I'VE TRIED CONTACTING THEM FOR SUPPORT THRU EMAIL BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE.
NHTSA complaint #11373734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCache, OK
AIR BAGS
FRONT AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING BAD. AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALER STATES NOT PART OF WARRANTY. OTHER HYUNDAIS WITH SAME PROBLEM HAVE WARRANTIES THAT HAVE BEEN EXTENDED. THIS NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED ALSO
NHTSA complaint #11339029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesHayward, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY ON HER VEHICLE HAD EXPIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #11331974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesHattiesburg, MSCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
CAR HYDROPLANED ON INTERSTATE CAUSING CAR TO SLIDE INTO CONCRETE GUARD RAIL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. SOMETHING HIT PASSENGER IN FACE WHEN DEPLOYMENT HAPPENED CAUSING FACIAL LACERATIONS AND A FRACTURE TO THE FOREHEAD WHICH ENDED UP BEING A DEPRESSED FRACTURE THROUGH THE FRONTAL SINUS CAVITY. PASSENGER HAD TO BE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR CT SCANS AND CLOSURES OF LACERATIONS. THE SURGEON SAID THE BONE LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HIT IT WITH A BALL PEN HAMMER PERFECTLY ROUND SHATTERED.*DT*JB*DT CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.*JB
NHTSA complaint #11324671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesTroy, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVE IN A REAR END COLLISION, WHERE I WAS PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , I HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY CAR.I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. MY CAR CRUNCHED LIKE A TIN CAN, AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HIT MY HEAD, MY WRIST, AND MY BACK IS HURT. MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, NOT ONE OF THEM. I CANT SEND PICTURES NOW THEY ARE ON MY PHONE.
NHTSA complaint #11306577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesPueblo, CO
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE AIR BAGS SYSTEMS JUST WENT OUT. ALSO MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING EITHER
NHTSA complaint #11231857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesSavannah, GACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER BEING HIT BY COMMERCIAL BOX TRUCK GOING OVER 50 MPH
NHTSA complaint #11157060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,900 milesAltamonte Springs, FL
AIR BAGS
SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, THIS MEANS THAT THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT SEES AN ISSUE IN THE SYSTEM AND DISABLED THE SYSTEM. THIS MEANS THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11150981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkley, MI
AIR BAGS
HYUNDAI ELANTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAGS MALFUNCTION DURING ACCIDENT AND OTHER VEHICLE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10694544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,215 milesNorth Chesterfield, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND THE FRONT END WENT UNDERNEATH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT THE CONTACT STRUCK. THE POLICE, AMBULANCE, AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CONTACTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WITHIN THREE WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND THEY CLOSED THE CONTACT'S CASE; HOWEVER, THE CASE WAS OPENED AND CLOSED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE CASE WAS CURRENTLY OPEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,215. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11073105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesTuolumne, CACrash
AIR BAGS
I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE IS DELAYED KINDA, ALMOST LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH AIR AT THE RIGHT TIME . MY CAR WILL HAVE A HARD TIME ACCELERATING AND IT WILL HIT HIGH RMPS THEN SHIFT. I HAVE TO JUST SLOW DOWN BEFORE THE SHIFT CAUSE SOMETIMES IT SCARES ME. I HEAR A TICKING SOUND SOMETIME BUT THAT COULD BE MUSIC. MY BREAKS ARE REALLY TOUCHY AND SOMETIME SEEM TO HAVE NO TRACTION WHEN I NEED IT MOST. ALL THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING. WHEN I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR BREAK I CAN FILL SOME KIND OF PULL FROM BEHIND THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11065575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,345 milesMarysville, WACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 11/30/17 THAT HAD THREE IMPACTS AND NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN 10/2016 AND IT DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER, BUT I FIGURED MAYBE BECAUSE IT WASN'T AS VIOLENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE NOVEMBER ACCIDENT WAS HARD AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WERE SHOCKED THEY DID NOT DEPLOY INCLUDING A DEPUTY, A COUPLE OF DOCTORS, AND TWO INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVES. MY CAR WAS TOTALED SO I DO NOT OWN IT ANYMORE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND A PERSON CAME FROM SIDE STREET STOP SIGN AT ME TO CLIP THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, CAUSED FRONT DRIVER SIDE TO HIT A GUARDRAIL, AND FINALLY THE CAR WENT HEAD FIRST INTO SHALLOW DITCH (HIT ROTTEN POST AND A LOT OF BUSHES). DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY, A HOLE WAS IN THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE LOOKED CONCAVED/MISSHAPEN ON THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11054556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesAthens, TN
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG COME ON STAY ON AND OIL LIGHT COME ON AND OFF
NHTSA complaint #11053623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tyrone, GA
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE 2014 ELANTRA GT MODELS AS WELL. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLS ON PREVIOUS MODELS. THE 2014 SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST.
NHTSA complaint #11043428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesJacksonville, FL
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG SRS LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 30000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10923727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesBessemer, AL
AIR BAGS
THE SRS LIGHT ON MY 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SE STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE CAR IS ON
NHTSA complaint #10871394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Washington, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING, 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA ON 1 APR 2016, ATLANTA, GA, I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, IN FRONT OF THE TIRE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. ALTHOUGH THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO BREAK RIBS; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY . THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED WHEN I SAW A VEHICLE HEADING MY WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10862818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesScottsdale, AZCrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA complaint #10825765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,600 milesHoliday, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A FRONTEND COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK. I STRUCK THE VEHICLE GO 50 MPH WHICH WAS A FRONT END COLLISION. I ONLY SUFFERS MINOR SHOULDER INJURIES. MY CONCERN IS WHEN THE COLLISION SHOP COMPLETES THE WORK FIXING MY CAR, WILL I FEEL SAVE IF ANOTHER COLLISION OCCUS. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY RECALLS AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10819182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Malone, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH LANES, A TRACTOR TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND UNKNOWN INJURIES WERE REPORTED, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10724154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,850 milesPasadena, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
ON RT. 29 NORTH IN MARYLAND, RUSH HOUR BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC, THIS VEHICLE, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS OVER $8,900 OF DAMAGE AND THE DRIVER INJURED HIS LEFT KNEE BY HITTING THE DASH. THE CAR STALLED BEFORE THE CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAN WAS PUSHED INTO THE RADIATOR AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE COMPLETLY, AND TOTALLY DEMOLISHED, WITH DAMAGE INCLUDING FROM THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE TWO FRONT DOORS, AND E EVERYTHING BETWEEN THE BUMPER AND THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS THE SECOND FRONT END ACCIDENT FOR THIS CAR. THE FIRST BEING 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE AND AGAIN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY....UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF UPDATED 10/17/217
NHTSA complaint #10721277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesFort Lauderdale, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
I AM THE FINANCED OWNER OF A BLACK 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA THAT I HAD PURCHASED IN AUGUST OF 2014. I WAS DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON I-95 TRAVELING IN THE FARTHEST LEFT LANE WHEN A CAR TO THE RIGHT OF ME, LOST CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE AND HIT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR WHICH PUSHED THE FRONT END OF MY CAR INTO THE WALL, WHICH THEN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DO A 360 SPIN. AFTER THE 360 SPIN MY VEHICLE HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP FACING NORTH BOUND IN THE SOUTH BOUND I-95 LANES, IMMEDIATELY AFTER STOPPING I WAS HIT HEAD ON BY AN ONCOMING CAR. AFTER BEING HIT HEAD ON I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AND WOKE TO MY CAR IN THE EMERGENCY LANES TO THE RIGHT OF THE SOUTH BOUND LANES OF I-95. I HAD REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CURTAIN AIRBAGS WERE THE ONLY AIRBAGS THAT HAD DEPLOYED DURING THE ENTIRE CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE FRONT FRAME OF MY VEHICLE WAS DEMOLISHED RIGHT WHERE THE AIRBAG SENSORS ARE LOCATED. I AM HIGHLY CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRBAGS OR POSSIBLY THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, NOT ONLY FOR WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE CASUALTIES, BUT A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A 4 YEAR OLD AND PURCHASED THE EXACT SAME MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. AS WELL AS, WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, I WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS A SAFE CAR AND THAT ITS SAFETY FEATURES WERE UP TO PAR. I WOULD FEEL REASSURED KNOWING THAT THIS WAS TAKEN INTO FURTHER INVESTIGATION BECAUSE I AM UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE UNKNOWN REASON OF WHY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10715036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.