Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (42.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Engine complaints here are 3.4× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 161 · 42.5% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 46 · 12.1% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 44 · 11.6% | Recalled | Recall 17V769000 · Recall 23V651000 |
| Service Brakes | 41 · 10.8% | Recalled | Recall 17V769000 · Recall 23V651000 |
| Air Bags | 32 · 8.4% | No official action | — |
| Steering | 28 · 7.4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 379 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 17V769000 · 2017 · reported 11/30/2017
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 23V651000 · 2023 · reported 09/22/2023
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · Park outside · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MOVED ABNORMALLY AS A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE…”NHTSA complaint 11154265 — filed 11/27/2018 · ENGINE
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED…”NHTSA complaint 11144695 — filed 11/01/2018 · ENGINE
“ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL SHAVINGS DAMAGING ENGINE. MANUFACTURER SKIPPED A STEP IN THIS PROCESS. ENGINE TICKS WHEN ACCELERATING AND SHAKES. MANUFACTURER EVEN DIAGNOSED THE…”NHTSA complaint 11141135 — filed 10/17/2018 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 161 of 379 NHTSA complaints (42.5%), followed by electrical system (46), unspecified/other issues (46), service brakes, hydraulic (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
379 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 35 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 29 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 17V769000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
