2014 Hyundai Elantra: engine knocking or ticking

Filed May 21, 2026 · Engine · CO

I am writing to formally log a safety defect complaint regarding a severe mechanical failure in my 2014 Hyundai Elantra, equipped with the Nu 1.8L engine. The vehicle has been professionally diagnosed with severe internal engine knocking stemming from catastrophic piston slap, a manufacturing defect inherent to this engine family block that causes premature cylinder wall scuffing, piston ring degradation, and unmetered oil loss. the federal safety agency has previously acknowledged that manufacturing issues in Hyundai engine blocks can cause rotating internal components to fail, leading directly to sudden, un-alerted engine stalling at highway speeds, a severe and immediate safety hazard to drivers, passengers, and surrounding traffic. Despite this being a well-documented mechanical defect (originally addressed under the [XXX] , et al. v. Hyundai Motor America Class Action Settlement / Service Campaign TXXK), Hyundai Motor America is currently refusing to remedy this hazardous component. The manufacturer has repeatedly denied corporate assistance based strictly on an arbitrary calendar timeline (stating the vehicle has passed the 10-year settlement window). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 13, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OK

A significant class action settlement, known as the Hyundai Engine II Class Action Settlement, was established to address allegations of engine defects in various Hyundai models. This settlement includes vehicles equipped with the Nu 2.0-liter GDI engine, such as the 2014–2020 Elantra GT. The lawsuit claimed that these engines could suffer from issues like engine seizure, stalling, and potential engine fires. My vehicles engine is the engine listed above and has been experiencing those exact problems. My engine has been stalling and making a knocking noise. A professional mechanic evaluated my vehicle and diagnosed it with first stage engine failure. Engine failure of any kind while driving is extremely dangerous and could lead to sudden stopping on a highway, collision, and result in the loss of life of both the driver and other drivers sharing the road. In addition to the Engine II settlement, there was a separate class action settlement related to the Theta II engines, which are also found in some Hyundai vehicles. This settlement addressed allegations of engine defects that could lead to engine failure. Hyundai Motors is refusing to honor their warranty coverage for my vehicle. They claim their refusal is due to my vehicle having a rebuilt title, however, nowhere on their website or per any other guidelines do they explicitly deny coverage for rebuilt title vehicles. They clearly state that only salvage titles and 'total loss' vehicles will not receive any warranty assistance, which my vehicle was never considered a total loss. Additionally, when speaking to a Bob Howard Hyundai representative, they informed me that they have previously honored warranties for people in my exact situation. The engine in my 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT is the original engine with a matching VIN number and the engine failure is strictly due to the malfunction of said part produced by Hyundai Motors. I have maintained and preformed regular maintenance on this vehicle with receipts.

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · MD

Ticking or knocking in the engine, as many other have described. Engine does not accelerator properly due to this issue, causing safety issues with accelerating to merge or enter traffic. Known defect that should be covered by Hyundai as regular scheduled maintenance has been completed.

Filed Apr 2, 2024 · Engine · OH

roughly 5 months ago i started to hear a ticking/knocking sound. since then it has gotten louder and the car is having issues accelerating. Hyundai refuses to fix it even thought they’ve had a class action for this exact issue.

Filed Jan 3, 2024 · Engine · NE

When I had near 50,000 miles on my car, my car emitted lots of smoke (like severe burning) from the back when I drove on highway. I had to immediately take the car to Hyundai service. They said nothing is wrong with engine. Years later, I started hearing knocking noise from the front and got engine light on twice in the past. The last time was 3 days ago when I drove to the local airport to pick up my son. Someone inspected my car yesterday because Hyundai had no availability until the next month. He advised me to take the car to Hyundai as soon as possible. I took it to Hyundai service and they said nothing is wrong just like the last time years ago. He told me oil was leaking inappropriately and damaged the motor inside. He informed me this is normal with Hyundai vehicles as they used GDI engine. Today Hyundai service charted me the inspection and said nothing is wrong with the engine. I told them I brought the car because knocking noise and engine light. I shouldn't pay even though they found nothing is wrong with the engine. I feel.very unsafe with driving this car. The guy who inspected the car said the motor is damaged due to the engine defect and excessively burn oil. They attempted to charge me for what Hyundai is responsible of ensuring the safety affected by manufacturing issues. Thank you!

Filed Sep 30, 2023 · Engine · NC

From a Hyundai dealership, I was sold a 2014 Hyundai Elantra in June of 2022 with a ticking noise. I was told it was normal and would go away with driving over time. It had not. I had the vehicle assessed by a reputable mechanic and then towed to and reassessed by a different Hyundai dealership. Was told the engine has piston slapping and engine is bad (by both). After a year and a half of back and forth, Hyundai has refused to repair or replace the engine or replace the vehicle since I’m not the original owner and it was sold over 100,000 miles on the vehicle. I paid a little over $13,000 for a rock that doesn’t drive. I don’t have $7,000 to replace an engine and I’m on a fixed income. There are lawsuits in other countries, just not in the USA yet. I need help please. The contact stated that the manufacturer has denied assistance due to an expired warranty and prior authorization being denied as well.

Filed May 14, 2023 · Engine · PA

I was driving home on april 13, 2023 when the power seemed to leave my car & steering & brakes felt like they weren't working right like I had no control. The battery & oil change lights came on. I was scared & didn't know what to do but then a min or so later I was able to get enough control to direct it into a parking lot across from my house & turned off the engine. When I turned the car back on the 2 warning lights were gone & I was able to drive it across the street. I had been hearing a noise under the hood & wasn't sure if it was a belt or something. A mechanic said the belts, hoses etc were good but he thinks that noise was my engine rod bearings going & he had dealt with more Hyundai engine problems recently. I had Hyundai dealership check my engine & they said my connecting rod bearings are bad & I need new engine. They said this is not covered under their extended warranty & I am over the warranty miles & they won't help in any way. This is a bad engine & I have met other Hyundai owners in same situation. & it wasn't until I read an article where another Hyundai driver experienced the same thing I did on April 13 before her engine died on a highway that I connected that event with a bad engine so I believe that is what happened to me on April 13 except my engine didn't completely die on me. This is a safety issue if a car engine stops working while driving on a road. I have receipts from everything I have done to my car & you can tell it wasn't lack of care that caused this engine failure. It is engine defects I believe are causing them. Please investigate the problem & keep Hyundai & Kia drivers & drivers around them safe. And get Hyundai to do right by their customers & replace these defective engines. I can show invoice where Hyundai declined providing assistance because of miles as 2nd owner but service man only hand wrote problem with engine was connecting rod bearings on it. He didn't include it on printed invoice. Hyundai has photos & info.

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · Engine · IN

Engine has a load ticking noise, mechanic said he thought it was the lifters. The vehicle also stalls while driving; After accelerating and reaching cruising speed it will stall as you ease off accelerator. It has not done it using with cruise control.

Filed Feb 7, 2023 · Engine · FL

Engine stall while driving twice . Engile oil was serviced 3 days before the incident . Oil level is good oil indication was flashing for 3 seconds with engine ticking before stalling. Luckily I wasnt driving on the highway . A car should never suddenly die while driving with no warnings .

Filed Aug 26, 2022 · Engine · MI

2014 Hyundai Elantra SE 1.8 routinely maintained and serviced as recommended by service manual. Vehicle was on city streets when it suddenly stalled with no warning lights or indication. Event was accompanied by a knocking sound from the engine area. Ignition cycle makes the condition go away temporarily. Initially this was a rare occurrence. But within weeks the frequency of this engine shutdown at medium, slow, fast speeds increased greatly. Now the vehicle does not operational with less than 100,000 miles. Considering that there are so many complaints about this same problem, this needs to be a recall and Hyundai needs to take responsibility for this problem.

Filed Aug 23, 2022 · Engine · OH

My car started ticking and making loud noise. The next day took to the dealer to have it looked it. I stopped at a light and the car stopped any wouldn’t go . It was running but no power, the said was the engine . It’s been at the dealer since beginning July 2022 and they are saying could be October or November before they can work on it . The car only had 50k miles on it and I only purchased it 6 months ago .

Filed Aug 3, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · WA

Engine was experiencing ticking/knocking. Car stalled on freeway, and now the Engine must be replaced. Identical problem as seen in the 2018 class action lawsuit. Car experiencing same symptoms and confirmed by mechanic, despite not being in a cold-weather state.