Was driving my 2012 Santa Fe on rt 565 when the car started making a loud banging sound in the engine and the car just died. I was able to roll the car off to the shoulder before causing an accident. I had the car towed to my house where a mechanic looked at it and informed me the engine was shot and told me about this web site so I could see that there are multiple incidents similar to the one I experienced. I purchased this vehicle new from sussex Hyundai it currently has 108,000 miles I plan on going in tomorrow and speaking with them. With all the engine complaints and scenarios that could have resulted in accidents listed on this web site you would think that NHTSA or Hyundai would implement an engine recall. Hoping the dealer will go to bat for me and contact Hyundai America to fix my engine.

- Sussex, NJ, USA

Engine knock that caused engine to fail with less than 95,000 miles despite defaults maintenance.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

The engine went out at 50,000 miles and was replaced and then went out again at 105,000 miles. Same issue. Have contacted Hyundai and they will not do anything to help me. Engine stalled on freeway first time and almost caused a collision, 2nd time on freeway stalled at freeway speed and almost caused another collision.

- Washoe Valley, NV, USA

The vehicle stops running in the road without warning and is unable be restarted. Attempts to charge the battery fail. When taken to be evaluated by the brand dealership, they only change the battery and say that it has been fixed. Within 3-4 weeks, it will shut down in the road again. This has occurred four times, and each time, I take to be serviced and they are unable to reproduce the failing issue. I have reached out to corporate, and have quickly dismissed my case. There was a class action lawsuit in 2016 concerning the exact issues I am experiencing with the vehicle. I would think with this type of documented liability, there would have been a recall on the vehicles or a warning notice dealerships were required to present with the sale. I do not feel comfortable trading the car in as the issue will be transferred to another consumer.

- Dayton, OH, USA

Was driving 65 mph heading South to key largo. The car started vibrating and knocking. The car began to labor, I was able to pull it off the road before it quit completely. The motor died and wouldn't turn over. The battery appeared fine as radio, lights etc., were still working. There was no indication that the car overheated. I popped the, hood, checked my fluids which all seemed to be fine. I did note some oil on the ground and it appeared to have a drip from above. I towed the car to my mechanic. After looking it over, he told me to tow it to the dealer. I'm at just over 119,000 miles; he felt this may be covered. Upon initial diagnosis, the dealer determined that I have a hole in my engine block and it looks like the rod shot out of the block. The manufacturer said they are willing to pick up 60% of the repair which would leave me with a repair bill over the value of the vehicle. My insurance company did an investigation, today, and determined that the damage was mechanical and noted the crankshaft was broken. Mechanical failure is not covered by my insurance. The 2012 Santa Fe with the theta II engines should have been included in the theta II recall regardless of where it was manufactured. I feel for the Hyundai and Kia owners who continue to suffer through these continued engine problems making the car worthless.

- Palmetto Bay, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the alternator and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Consumer stated engine was replaced.

- Winter Spring, FL, USA

My car started to randomly stall without any notice or check engine light. I brought my vehicle to a mechanic and was told all I needed was an oil change. Then one day my car stalled on the highway. The police were notified by another vehicle because they thought my car was on fire. I cannot believe they havent recalled this engine yet. I could have been killed. I sat on the highway in the police car until the tow truck arrived because my car stalled in a bad location and was smoking. My car was towed to the nearest Hyundai dealership and is now going through diagnostic testing. Hyundai manufacturer was directly engaged and they are asking for photos of the engine. How about keeping people safe Hyundai and recall this engine as well and pay for the repairs as the next person this happens to may not make it out of their car to tell their story.... terrible horrifying incident.

- Hope, RI, USA

I was driving 65 mph on the highway. I heard a clunk in the engine and my oil light and check engine light came on. The car lost all power and now I'm told I need a new engine. Car only has 108,000 miles on it.

- Attleboro, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 45 mph there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. Additionally, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle was towed to two independent mechanics who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to coconut creek Hyundai 4960 North, fl-7, coconut creek, fl 33073 (888) 441-7737 where it was diagnosed that metal shaving were in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired the manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to hanlees hilltop Hyundai (510-222-8882, located at 3285 auto plaza, richmond, ca 94806) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 16263442. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

- Richmond, CA, USA

Was driving on the highway and heard a loud knocking. Pulled off exit ramp and continued to find a safe place to pull over. After pulling over into a parking lot, the knocking in the engine was much worse. Called for a tow and was towed to a garage. The repair garage stated the motor had spun a main bearing. ( the oil filter was safed). After they did there work I decided to attempt to drive it to a dealer ship. On my there the piston arm broke and went through the side of the block. Now the vehicle is no good.

- Ellington, CT, USA

Driving ca I580 westbound, bright sunny day (2:45pm 9/24/19) in 2012 Santa Fe with 111K miles on it. Going highway speed, without warning (no knocking, no acceleration issues) the engine shut down: Oil, battery and engine lights illuminated. Having no power steering, I muscled the car down the nearest off-ramp (coasting 3/4 mile, I was lucky to be in the far right lane). I had also owned a 2011 sonata that went thru 3 engine failures with symptoms (each time, acceleration issues, gearing hesitation and knocking occurred). With the Santa Fe, no such symptoms, it just shut down after running perfectly. I called roadside assistance and they tried to jump start the car -- no luck. A tow truck took the car to a local Hyundai dealership in dublin, ca. They determined that the crankshaft was frozen causing an engine seizure. I asked if this car was covered under the various engine recalls that have plagued numerous other Hyundai models and they said "no". so it seems I am another victim (4 times over; the sonata was lemon lawed) of Hyundai's engine shoddy manufacturing issues. I am awaiting the Hyundai service department's official report and cost analysis. I will be contacting Hyundai America's customer service tomorrow.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

I was driving down the interstate with cruise control set at 80 mph, when the engine started making a horrible sound. A sound as though it had no oil. I pulled off the interstate and had to have vehicle towed to the mechanic. I learned the engine blew a rod and needs to be replaced. 114,000 miles on it.

- Huntley, MT, USA

The contact called on behalf of her mother who owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 55 mph, an abnormal noise was detected from the vehicle and the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

- Hawthorn Woods, IL, USA

I was driving on the interstate at speed when my 2012 Santa Fe began making a loud rattling sound and losing power. I was able to safely move to the shoulder and stop. The engine then stopped. I was towed to a local garage where a technician inspected the engine. It was found that one cylinder failed and filled up with oil causing a total engine failure. The engine has to be replaced. My vehicle has 101,000 miles on it. Very expensive $6000 engine replacement. Car has run wonderful up till this point.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

I was driving on the highway when the engine began to make a noise. It is an engine failure and has to be replaced.

- Newark, DE, USA

While driving straight at highway speed, the engine warning light came on and within 30 seconds the engine completely shut down. The vehicle lost all power and control so abruptly that I was not able to get it out of the traffic lane. After having it towed, two separate mechanics advised that the engine has seized due to lower engine failure, likely a defect in the oil sending unit. The vehicle has 116,000 miles, just being the factory warranty limit, and had had regular documented maintenance and shows no sign of abnormal wear or neglect. I an having a complete and costly engine replacement. I have contacted Hyundai and they refuse to take any responsibility for the defective engine.

- Little Falls, MN, USA

Car had 79000 miles. When driving, motor started making ticking sound. I stopped the car and checked the oil. It was full. 2 miles later, the engine started knocking, no warning lights of any kind came on on the dash. Before I could park it off the road, a rod went through the block. The broke rod had a number 4 stamped on it.

- Tolley, ND, USA

While traveling home from vacation on I75S we heard a strange rattling sound and immediately lost all power. Had to coast to the left which put us in a very dangerous situation. Highway patrol had to stop traffic and we were able to get car to the right side. Barely. Was towed to the nearest Chevy dealership because no one else was open. Was told I needed a new engine. I've owned this car for 2 years with no warning of any problems. There are no recalls. I'm having the car towed to my home in Ms. Car has 90,000 miles. There are no recalls but there should be! this problem could have caused a serious accident !

- Pontotoc, MS, USA

Bought the car with 139,000 miles on it. Had a clean car VIN report. Drove it for 3 months with no issues. Slowed down on a dangerous 2 lane highway for a car turning left in front of me and suddenly couldn't accelerate and the engine lost all power, making a loud grinding noise. I was stuck with no steering, no power and no hazard lights half way off of the highway. Luckily a truck pulled in behind me for safety and 2 passengers helped me get it off the highway. Had it towed to the auto shop to fund the engine needed to be completely replaced. The dealership was kind enough to eat the costs of labor, but we are out another $3,500 for an engine replacement on a car we've only had for 3 months. Further research shows multiple dangerous situations of engine failures on this specific model yet no recall has occurred. Will it take death's for Hyundai to take responsibility for knowingly keeping cars on the road where engines can completely fail with zero warning?

- Arlington, WA, USA