About average for the Sonata
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sonata year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 85,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sonata years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 750 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (322, 43% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the lights, wipers and visibility. That ranks 5th of 13 Sonata years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 7 recalls.
4 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2014 Hyundai Sonata before you buy.
Engine and cooling
322 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 85,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving on the freeway about 100 miles outside of Boise, ID when the vehicle went into limp mode and a flashing check engine light came on. I had it towed to the Hyundai dealership in Boise where they ran a diagnostic check and it came back with a P1326 code, which is the issue related to the engine/ball bearings. They said it…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's wife was driving 65 MPH, the engine seized. The vehicle rolled to the shoulder of the road. The driver attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle started. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 141,000 miles
Electrical system
136 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 77,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact purchased the vehicle on April 28, 2025, with 28,974 miles from a dealer. On January 20, 2026, while attempting to start the vehicle after being parked for a while, the vehicle lost power and failed to start. The contact walked to an AutoZone nearby, where a mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The High-Voltage (HV) Hybrid Battery Pack Assembly failed, resulting in a system shutdown and the required replacement. The primary code is DTC P0A80 ("Replace Hybrid Battery Pack"), which indicates an internal manufacturing or design flaw, specifically a weak battery module or compromised internal connection, not normal wear. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Lights, wipers and visibility
129 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, a bystander notified the contact that the brake lights were inoperable. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and determined that the brake light housing needed to be replaced. The brake…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The turn signal stem assembly randomly begins failing after several years (approx 5 years). Issues will be noticed while driving in the dark. When turn signal is applied in both directions, occasionally headlights will turn off or flash causing interior lighting to change to brighter daylight settings at the same time. This can be…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Fuel system
89 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 78,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and leaving it unoccupied, the contact's daughter, who was seated on a porch, called the contact informing her there was grey/blue smoke emitting from the vehicle. The smoke increased, and fire droppings were coming from underneath the vehicle. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 200,000 miles
Fuel line under the hood was spewing gas after starting the vehicle. My safety was put at risk by being stranded in a dangerous part of town for 5 days before getting the car towed back home No inspections have been done by those companies No warning light where on.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
73 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 64,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
ABS module/brakes system goes into limp mode randomly, which causes brake malfunction, throwing codes c1233, c1234 and c1236. There was a recall repair performed by Hyundai about two years ago, however there was two options on NHTSA recall 23V651000/campaign 251. One was to replace a safety plug fuse issue, TSB 23-01-054H . That is the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My vehicle, a 2014 Hyundai Sonata Turbo, is having brake lock-up issues. It seems to be related to the AVS (Automatic Brake System). This happens mostly when the vehicle is parked on a hill and the brakes lock up when I start moving. This has been happening for several months, but my mechanic hasn't been able to find the problem. I made…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
65 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 31,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I am submitting this complaint because I believe this issue presents a serious safety concern. My 2014 Hyundai Sonata experienced a failure related to the steering angle sensor, causing the ESC, ABS, and traction control warning lights to illuminate while driving. As a result, these important safety systems lost functionality and were no…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after driving over a pothole, the steering wheel became difficult to handle, with a clicking sound coming from the steering wheel. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 79,000 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2014 Hyundai Sonata experienced a failure of the transmission shift cable connection, the same safety-related defect addressed by Hyundai Recall Campaign 123 (NHTSA Recall 14V-434). The gear selector stopped functioning correctly. Although I could physically move the shifter using the shift-lock release, the dashboard continued…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Vehicle's engine seized completely at 75 MPH on the interstate. No warning lights or abnormal noises were present before catastrophic failure, and the car has been serviced recently. CEL came on at time of failure, throws code P1326. Car rapidly/dangerously decelerated, would have crashed if not driving in the Leftmost lane of travel.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Air bags
31 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle before the front passenger's side air bag independently deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the driver’s air bag warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The service technician stated that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Seats and seat belts
30 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The driver's seat lost a bolt and the seat was no longer bolted down at the back, although sitting on it would lower it. I took it to a mechanic and they re-attached the screw and bolt but were unable to do so in a way that the seat operates properly. It still lifts when I get out of the car and lowers when I sit down. This is available…Owner complaint, filed 2024
No accident happened. Seat belt on drivers side will not attach to the cars anchor. Did receive a recall notice several years ago but was not a problem at that time. Will bring the car to the dealer but could not get an appointment until June 7 2022.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
22 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2014 hyundai sonata. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lunged forward and backwards, lost power, and the cruise control disengaged. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to automax hyundai del city (4401 tinker diagonal st, del city, ok 73115…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 71,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
21 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (13).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Shortly after we bought the vehicle in 2021, my 7 year old daughter (who weighed about [XXX] at the time) got in the car through the driver side rear door and closed it normally. When we got home, the door would no longer open and has not opened now for 5 years. A mechanic said it would cost more than $1400 to repair because he would…Owner complaint, filed 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? >Rear Window Imploded, Rear Moon Roof Hairline Fractures How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? >Shards of glass fell. If a passenger was present, glass would have fell on them Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
7 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 hyundai sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to operate the vehicle, the front end fell to the ground without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The [VIN] was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 60,000 miles
My steering system is loose and make the car hard to control at times. I have had a front end alignment done which has not helped. I have hyundai about the problem but have not gotten any help in this problem. I understand the the steering wheel coupler is made of plastic. This problem happens on any street or highway.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Wheels and tires
7 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Our 2014 hyundai sonata gls 4-door sedan came equipped with kumho solus kh 25 tires, size 205/65r16. The car has approximately 27,000 miles. When removing a flat tire, I noticed that small chunks of rubber were coming off of the tire. I then checked the other three tires & found the same problem. Some of those rubber chunks coming off…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 27,004 miles
4 kumho tires, original tires with less than 30,000 miles & 2 years age are chipping away on the tread. Contacted hyundai & kumho & they were denying any defects. These tires seem defective & tread separation at highway speed is possible making them very unsafe. These tires were used on city streets & state highways only.Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 30,000 miles
Driver assist systems
6 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving and my car started beeping and the wheel jerked to the left and my car slowed down from 65mph to 20mph and almost caused me to have an accident. After I replaced the breaking module, my battery started shorting out and my car once again jerked off to the side and then slowed down abruptly from 65 mph to 20mph.Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact and several nearby drivers pushed the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact started the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 114,000 miles
Hyundai Sonata complaints by year
Compare the 2014 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2014 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Hyundai Sonata | About average | 7 |
| 2014 Toyota Camry | Worse than most years | 3 |
| 2014 Honda Accord | Worse than most years | 4 |
| 2014 Kia Optima | About average | 7 |
2014 Hyundai Sonata recalls
Fuel system
- Risk
- A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Fuel system
- Risk
- If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the low-pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Engine
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Seat belts Pretensioner
- Risk
- If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free…
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Seat belts Anchorage
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
Transmission and drivetrain
- Risk
- If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
2014 Hyundai Sonata questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Hyundai Sonata?
The most reported problem areas on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata are the engine and cooling (322 complaints), the electrical system (136 complaints) and the lights, wipers and visibility (129 complaints).
Is the 2014 Hyundai Sonata a good year to buy?
About average for the Sonata. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Sonata year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 85,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Sonata years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The most recent, from May 2022, covers the fuel system. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2014 Hyundai Sonata problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 85,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 77,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Hyundai Sonata years should I avoid?
The Sonata years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012 and 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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