I purchased a used 2014 Hyundai Elantra with 61,000 miles and it drove fine until I reached 80,000 miles. I heard a rattling/ticking sound and took it in to the dealer. The dealer told me there was heavy cylinder wall scoring due to piston slap. I have kept the car well maintained and I even reached out to the prior owner who did confirm that they also kept the car well maintained with scheduled oil changes. I tried filing a case with Hyundai but they told me that the car was no longer under warranty since I was not the original owner. I have filed a case with the BBB auto line.

Winter 2020/2021 my engine started making noise that my mechanic identified as a piston slap. It only happened in the cold. I didn't drive much that winter because of the pandemic, and the noise went away after the engine warmed up, so I forgot about the issue until it started making noise again this winter.

Between winters, I went on a road trip that was about 400km. Around km 350, I attempted to pass a transport in a passing lane, with multiple vehicles behind me. 95% of the way through the passing maneuver, my car stalled, all my dash lights came on and I lost power steering. I had to turn on my fourways, put it in neutral, and pull into the oncoming traffic lane so the vehicles behind me could finish passing the transport, and then I coasted the car back over two lanes to the right shoulder. I waited some time for my heart rate to slow, and I turned the car back on, it fired up immediately without issues and without any trouble lights. I finished the journey without issue.

In winter 2021/2022 the piston slap noise came back, but this time it remained even when the engine warmed up. The last time I spoke to my mechanic, they couldn't find any recalls/information about the 2014 Elantra, so I resigned myself to having to repair the engine. During my tire changeover this spring, my mechanic noted that the sound was much worse and that I should check in with the dealership.

I went to the dealership, and they told me that the car is under some sort of secret program here they replace the engine if I can prove that I maintained the car. I actually had a very hard time finding proof, as there were two periods, before and during the pandemic, where I was homeless, and keeping receipts was not what I was thinking about at the time. Unfortunately, I wasn't consistent with my oil change provider, as I was a ride share driver, I wouldn't wait to make an appointment, I would always replace the oil early to avoid the light potentially coming on with a customer in the vehicle. One shop change ownership and no longer has the receipts from the old owner, and another shop changed computer systems entirely, and they also have no record. Thankfully, I have several receipts from two other shops showing full synthetic oil changes with new filters over the last four years. My last problem is to go to my main mechanic and get copies of the handwritten receipts they provide for oil changes, as mine are definitely in a garbage somewhere.

I have a few problems with this situation:

1. It is ridiculous that I have to provide a maintenance record to get the engine replaced, when it clearly qualifies for a full-on recall. There are numerous reports of engine failure during highway driving.

2. Homeless people don't have time to maintain a maintenance record, so placing this burden on poor people is discriminatory.

3. The economic effects of the pandemic are only getting worse, and I have lost access to the tool I use to make income on the side so I don't become homeless again. I have spent thousands on this vehicle, only to have it fail anyways.

Pretty Venetian Red, heated seats, nice ride. Perfect car for me. My first brand new car. Had a miner issue at around 10,000 miles when it wouldn't start (Hyundai had to replace an inhibitor switch) Years later, I noticed a slight ticking noise at around 40,000 miles. Kept bringing it up to Hyundai every time I took it for an oil change. They kept saying things like "well, you have up to 100,000 miles" or "I don't hear anything" Finally got a hold of corporate and they finally started working with me to get it looked at. They didn't tell me what the exact issue is but the car "needs" a new engine, they called back a few hours later saying it is approved with my warranty. It's been 3 weeks and I'm still waiting for my replacement. It's funny because in the middle of this investigation; my brother's 2012 Sonata seized up and was also sitting in the same shop waiting for an engine replacement also. Hyundai; Wtf?! Disappointed by this, but thankful I have that warranty.

Problem started about two months ago. It sounds like a ticking/knocking noise. Dealer said that the block needs to be changed. It sounded to me, that they were fully aware of this problem. Right now they are trying to pin it on me, reference oil changes.

Car only had about 40,000 km on it when the noise started. A search on the Internet shows that this problem has been encountered and Hyundai is fighting off consumers by not doing a recall. I am still trying to get them to acknowledge that they are responsible for repairing it.

Update from May 20, 2019: Dealer has agreed to replace engine. Said that it should arrive within 4 to 6 weeks. I hope that this is not a delay tactic on their part. Will keep you all informed.