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2014 Hyundai Sonata problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

VERY HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
63%
375 of 592 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

63% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. Well over half of everything owners reported is the drivetrain. That is a severe model-level pattern; every model year we track at this level has a documented failure behind it.

Worse than 85% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 155 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 50%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 375 of 592 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (63%), and the largest group is filed under engine (302). For comparison, the 2013 scores 55% and the 2015 scores 69%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
375
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
747
this model year
Fires reported
40
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
7
29 crashes · 35 injuries

Complaints by component

ENGINE302 · 40%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM135 · 18%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING120 · 16%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER81 · 11%
STEERING65 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES60 · 8%

The years either side

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

How the 2014 compares with other Hyundai Sonata years

Of the 14 Hyundai Sonata years with enough complaints to score, the 2014 is the 6th-worst on engine and transmission share (63%). The worst is the 2019 (75%), the best the 2010 (18%). By volume, the 2014 drew 747 complaints (375 drivetrain), against 1,910 for the 2013 and 1,145 for the 2015.

Hyundai Sonata years to avoid and best years →

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata

  • The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2014 Hyundai Sonata said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
  • What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
  • Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.

What one owner reported

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM05/05/2020FIRE3 INJURED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V121000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SMOKE WAS DETECTED IN THE ENGINE AREA AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICL…

One of 375 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

2014 Hyundai Sonata engine and transmission recalls

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 7 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.

fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings22V312000 · May 2022

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.

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. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this…

fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings20V121000 · Feb 2020

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.

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. If no damage or leaking is found, heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will…

engine18V934000 · Dec 2018

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.

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. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's…

engine and engine cooling: engine17V226000 · Mar 2017

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.

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. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

power train: automatic transmission14V434000 · Jul 2014

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.

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. Furthermore,…

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. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai…

2 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
seat belts: pretensioner17V617000 · Oct 2017
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: front: anchorage17V152000 · Mar 2017
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…

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.

Checking one particular 2014 Hyundai Sonata? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

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Questions people ask about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata

Does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 375 of 592 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (63%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Hyundai Sonata?

Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2014 Hyundai Sonata is engine: 302 of 747 complaints (40%) name it, followed by electrical system (135) and exterior lighting (120). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.

Is the 2014 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 63% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (very high signal). That is worse than 85% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Hyundai Sonata years we score, it ranks 6th-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2014 Hyundai Sonata involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 7 in total: 22V312000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings), 20V121000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings), 18V934000 (engine), and more. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Hyundai Sonata years are better?

Among the Hyundai Sonata years we track, the 2010 (18%), the 2011 (43%) and the 2020 (49%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2014 (63%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/hyundai-sonata

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.