2014 Hyundai Elantra Problems: 9 Known Issues

On the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra 1.8L Nu, the 1.8L Nu engine in 2011-2016 Elantras is prone to premature failure due to manufacturing defects including a piston defect that produces piston slap/scuffing (most often in cold weather), connecting rod bearing failure, and oil passage problems. Metal debris from failed components can circulate through the engine causing catastrophic damage. A class action settlement (Brown v. Hyundai) extended the powertrain warranty on the engine long block for piston-slap damage to 10 years/120,000 miles for original owners and 8 years/80,000 miles for other owners in cold-weather states (campaign TXXK).

On the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra 1.8L Nu MPI, mD-generation Elantras with the 1.8L Nu engine develop a distinct two-to-five second rattle or 'diesel' clatter on cold start-up as the hydraulic timing chain tensioner bleeds down overnight and the plastic chain guides wear and become brittle. Early on the noise is only at start-up and quiets once oil pressure builds. As the guides crack and shed material the chain slaps continuously, cam timing drifts, and in the worst cases the chain jumps teeth on the sprocket, producing a crank-no-start and, on this interference engine, valve-to-piston contact. Forum reports consistently note that replacing the tensioner alone does not cure the noise once the guides and sprockets are worn - the whole timing set is needed. The condition is aggravated by extended oil-change intervals and by the low oil level that the same 1.8L Nu is prone to, and is separate from the connecting-rod bearing knock this engine is also known for.

On the 2011-2022 Hyundai Elantra, hyundai says certain 2011-2022 models with a turn-key ignition and no engine immobilizer were targeted in a rise in thefts spread on social media. Its campaign updates the body control software to strengthen the factory alarm and ignition-start logic and adds anti-theft window decals. The campaign covers certain 2011-2022 Elantras (MD, AD and CN7) without a push-button start or immobilizer lamp in the cluster. Cars with push-button start or an immobilizer lamp have an immobilizer and are not covered.

On the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra, mD-generation Elantras have a widely reported failure of the integrated door latch/lock actuator, most often on the driver's door because it cycles the most. The small electric motor inside the latch assembly wears or its gear strips, so the door stops responding to the key fob and to the interior lock switch while the other three doors still work. Owners also report the reverse case - a door that locks and unlocks on its own, or that repeatedly re-locks after being opened - and rear doors failing around 70,000 miles. Because the actuator is built into the latch assembly on these cars rather than being a separate bolt-on part, the whole latch is replaced, and the job requires drilling out the window regulator rivets to get the latch out, which is why quoted labour is higher than owners expect. A door that will not unlock from either the fob or the inside switch is also a safety concern in a crash.

On the 2011-2015 Hyundai Elantra, the electronic power steering (EPS) system fails due to a rubber star damper gear inside the steering column that deteriorates. This causes steering play of up to one inch before wheels respond, giving a loose, clunking steering feel. Hyundai extended warranty coverage of this MDPS flexible coupling to 10 years/100,000 miles under TSB 17-ST-002 for 2011-2015 Elantras, and states that coupling wear does not affect the ability to steer or control the vehicle.

On the 2011-2015 Hyundai Elantra, nHTSA recall 23V651 covers certain 2011-2015 Hyundai Elantra vehicles. The ABS module may leak brake fluid internally and develop an electrical short, creating an engine-compartment fire risk while the vehicle is parked or being driven.

On the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra, owners of 2011-2016 Elantras with a sunroof report water coming into the cabin, from the headliner or sun visor and into the footwell, traced to blocked sunroof drain holes. The reports cover 2011-2016 Elantras (MD) with a sunroof.

On the 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, owners of 2007-2016 Elantras report rear brake calipers seizing or freezing, in some cases from rust, so the brake stays applied or the parking brake does not release. The reports cover 2007-2010 (HD) and 2011-2016 (MD) Elantras.

On the 2007-2015 Hyundai Elantra, hyundai TSB 17-ST-002 covers 2007-2010 Elantra, 2009-2012 Elantra Touring and specified-production 2011-2015 Elantra vehicles. The flexible rubber coupling in the motor-driven power-steering assembly may wear and produce a slight clicking or thud noise while the steering wheel is turned. Hyundai states that this wear does not affect steering control and is not a safety issue.