10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,447 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #42

Apr 202022

Santa Fe

  • 74,400 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil pan. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized due to the metal shavings. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not honor the 100,000 miles warranty as he was the second owner of the vehicle. The manufacturer informed the contact that they would have honored the warranty if the mileage was under 60,000. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 74,400.

- Santa Cruz, CA, USA

problem #41

Apr 162022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Rod Bearing Failure at 112,000 miles, per dealer mechanic. No warning lights and oil has been changed every 7,500 (full synthetic). Have records to support engine maintenance history.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #40

Apr 272022

Santa Fe

  • miles
My car broke down on the freeway. The engine literally fell apart. Chunks of engine on the ground. I was driving at a normal rate of speed with the flow of traffic in the number 2 lane. I heard a ticking sound, turned off the radio to hear more clearly that it was not the radio. I got over as quickly as I could, then as I got into the slow lane I heard and felt a loud bang and the car died. When I got out to see what the problem was I found chunks of metal on the road. I initially thought I might have hit something, but once the tow truck driver showed up he could tell that the metal was parts of the engine. My car has been in the shop since February 12, the date of the death of my engine. I have since had to opportunity to read of about 50, and heard of hundreds of similar experiences. Hyundai is saying that since my car is out of warranty that they are not responsible, even after bringing to their attention all of the same issues with their terrible engine record. I was put in danger on a freeway as their engine literally fell apart on a busy California highway. The Hyundai Corporation has, as a -??good will-?? act offered to cover 70% of the $18,000 repair bill! Leaving me to pay almost $6,000! I could have been seriously injured or even killed in a highway pile up if I had not acted as quickly as I did. After reading so many similar accounts, I feel strongly that Hyundai should cover 100% of the repairs and penalties of loss of vehicle and time this has cost me, and more importantly have to fix all of these vehicles that are still on the road in jeopardy of being involved in accidents due to engine failure while operating on highways. Please take action now. Thank you!

- Ramona, CA, USA

problem #39

Feb 182022

Santa Fe

  • miles
While going highway speed (75mph) I suddenly had a simultaneous check engine light, oil pressure light, and charge system light all come on. Then the engine stalled, I heard a loud bang, and then once I pulled over immediately, there was oil leaking out of the car. I was 40+ miles from home, and the nearest Hyundai dealer, and had to get towed back to the dealership. They suspected a known issue with the engine rods and once they inspected it a few days later they confirmed there was a hole in the block. It is a known issue that Hyundai has given a warranty extension on and they replaced the engine and intake manifold, per the service invoice. I believe a known potential engine failure such as this should be cause for a recall. I was going 75mph when this happened. I could have lost control of the vehicle and crashed. I also could have had my small child with me and been trying to deal with getting help on the side of a highway with a toddler who doesn-??t understand to stay away from the roadway. I am thankful all was well but engine stalls when the manufacturer knows there is a defect is putting peoples-?? lives at risk.

- San Angelo, TX, USA

problem #38

Dec 202021

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving car would slow speed unexpectedly. In addition to this issue the heat in the car stopped working. After having several system flushes and parts replaced by our mechanic we took it to the dealership for evaluation and was advised the car has complete engine failure. No check engine light ever came on!! Was advised by dealership that several complaints have been made about this particular engine but no recalls have been made. The transmission for this car was already replaced less than a month after purchasing at 66,000+ miles due to a defect, and it has been continuous issues since then. Car has been regularly maintained and despite these preventative maintenance steps the engine still failed. Hyundai I am sure is aware of these engine issues and should address them immediately. Consumer would like to add that after speaking with the salvage yard about a replacement engine the gentleman advised that he received 1000+ inquires for a engine for this make and model year.

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #37

May 212021

Santa Fe

  • miles
Vehicle died while driving. No warning lights on at all. Dealer states that I have engine damage just by listening to it. Same issue is under recall for the santa fe sport engines but I am told that this will not be covered. This could have been an accident if I had been driving on a highway or a high traffic area.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

problem #36

Feb 122022

Santa Fe

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal knocking noise had emitted from the engine. As the contact began to pull over, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to pull over and upon inspection of the vehicle saw that large pieces of the engine had scattered over the highway. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed; it was later determined that the engine rod had punctured the engine block causing the engine failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The contact was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Ramona, CA, USA

problem #35

Dec 092021

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was driving on I-64 (eastbound), east of Richmond, VA heading home to Virginia Beach, VA. I noticed a knocking sound, intermittent at first, but becoming more prevalent and much louder. By the time I got home, the engine knocking was horrible. I looked under the car, and saw some oil around the oil pan, but there was still sufficient oil in the engine (halfway between the MIN/MAX marks on the dipstick. At no time, before during, or since was there any warning lamps lit on the dash, nor were there any codes that could be pulled indicating an issue. We had the car towed to Hall Hyundai in Chesapeake, VA (that's where we bought it), and they said the engine was full of metal and needed to be replaced. They did not say exactly what failed in the engine, but my suspicion is one of the pistons had a catastrophic failure. That was on 11 DEC. The engine has since been replaced with a remanufactured engine, but we still do not have our car back. After the initial repair, we noticed a puddle of oil on our garage floor. The car is back at the dealership and they've found 3 separate leaks so far. In reading of similar engine failures with our year range of Hyundai Santa Fe, we were fortunate. Our failure could have led to an immediate engine failure, engine fire, or worse that could have caused a serious accident since I was travelling on the highway. My concern is that Hyundai to date has dismissed this as nothing more than a fluke, and since we're beyond the terms of the warranty, not their problem. That couldn't be further from the truth. This is a BIG problem since the component that failed in our 3.3L V6 is the same component that forced a recall of their 2.4L 4-cyclinder that is common in their Santa Fe Sport model. I guarantee you that they use the same process, materials, etc. in the pistons for both, and this warrants a recall for our model/engine type just like the 2.4L recall.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #34

Feb 082022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Car is consuming oil, not leaking. Mechanic stated that some Hyundai models with similar engines are having their engines recalled. It is sometimes 2 quarts low between a 4000 mile check and the 5000 mile oil change. no light indicates that it's low.

- Luttrell, TN, USA

problem #33

Sep 152021

Santa Fe

  • miles
On September 15, 2021 while driving the Santa Fe engine just stopped in the middle of an intersection, was able to coast to the side of the road. Vehicle has fuel, showed no issues prior. Tow truck driver attempted to jumpstart the vehicle with no avail, was towed to the local Hyundai dealer ship who had it for one week to finally tell me that the motor was blown and needs a new long motor for $15,399 USD. Had a second automotive shop check out the vehicle and was told the same diagnosis, motor was blown needs to be replaced, and that Hyundai no longer is manufacturing the long engine the this Santa Fe takes. I was also informed that this wasn't the first Satna Fe that they have diagnosed with this problem, both the Sport model and the same model I currently have. Neither the Hyundai dealership or the dealership where I purchased this vehicle one year ago, will help me. I am aware that Hyundai has recalled the Sport model for engine problems, but the model I own.

- Madsion, TN, USA

problem #32

Jul 022021

Santa Fe

  • miles
We purchased the vehicle in December 2017 with 30,753 miles and the engine seized in July 2021 with 79,896 miles. When we purchased the vehicle, we were told that Hyundai's warrantee would only be 50% of the original owner warrantee which means it would expire at 60,000 miles. We submitted a claim with Hyundai in July 2021 (Case#: 18480584) but Hyundai refused to stand behind the vehicle and we decided not to spend the estimated $12,000 to repair the engine. We sold the vehicle to a junk yard for $1,500 in August 2021. My personal opinion is that Hyundai should stand behind every vehicle they manufacture throughout the life of the vehicle. The full warrantee should transfer from owner to owner and not be shortened.

- Bloomsbury, NJ, USA

problem #31

Nov 242021

Santa Fe

  • miles
This vehicle is burning close to 2qts of oil within 1000 miles. There is no warning that the engine is low on oil which could cause the engine to seize at any time. Hyundai has us go through the oil consumption test and acknowledged it was a problem but denied the claim because the car was on the second owner. The third-party warranty company refused to help unless it was a total engine failure.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #30

Sep 272021

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine failed while driving in traffic almost causing an accident. Had it towed to dealership. I was informed there was a recall for engine failure but dealership is telling me that manufacturer has denied the recall saying it has already been taken care of which is false. I also found out that when I bought the vehicle from a licensed dealer in 2018, that ownership was never transferred. The dealership is also telling me that the vehicle is still listed in another company name which is why I never received any recall information. Now I am stuck with a financed vehicle with several recalls that the dealership and manufacturer are refusing to honor.

- Town Creek, AL, USA

problem #29

Oct 252021

Santa Fe

  • miles
Check engine light went on in 4/2021. Brought to local mechanic and states that it is an evaporator issue. Claims I didn't close gas cap tight enough. He reset code, closes gas cap and no check engine light. I bring it back after filling up my tank again tells me that it is because I don't close it tight enough. I oil change in 4/2021 and ask to check the code again. He claims may be a small leak and that I can drive it. I bring it back in late June early July for another oil change and light is on again. He claims small leak and it is fine to drive. I pick it up and he has car for a week to do oil change in Sept and to double check the check engine light and he says he fixed it with a new sensor for the evaporator. Light goes back on two days later. Take it to another mechanic who replaces his work and claims not good electric work. Another day of driving and check engine light is on. Bring it back to mechanic states no oil and that he puts 4.5 cans of oil into car and that the engine needs to be replaced. I am meticulous with cars. I ALWAYS get my oil changed every 3-5K miles. There is no way that I drove this car too hard or didn't have an oil leak. I park in the same spot at home and work every day - no leaks. It did not blow oil either. Please advise.

- Falmouth, MA, USA

problem #28

Oct 212021

Santa Fe

  • miles
vehicle went in for state inspection repairs 10/20/21 w/dtc code p0453 included.vehicle was returned 10/21/21 after inspection and engine seized down the road from dealership.no loaner car recieved had to take shuttle. seized at 86000 miles. car prior was burning up engine oil abnormally & would hesitate when trying to take off from a stop or regular driving. small knocking noise heard as well at times.regularly maintenced and had ecm #953 update 05/22/2019 waiting to hear back from irwin hyundai in

- Sanbornton, NH, USA

problem #27

Oct 192021

Santa Fe

  • miles
My son was on the expressway and vehicle started to slow down and would not accelerate. The check engine light came on. He pulled over and the engine died and would not restart. I had the car towed to a vehicle repair place and they found that the engine had thrown a rod and needs to be replaced. Vehicle has been well maintained and was in good shape. It was just purchased used from a dealer 05/03/21.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #26

Sep 192020

Santa Fe

  • miles
The problem with my purchased Hyundai is that it's not giving a warning message for the oil or over heating. The engine continues to gather a lot of gunk. Also, there is a recall on these specific models and I was notified by a class action law suit. HyundaiThetaEngineSettlement.com. The car has a chance of exploding. I did not agree with the terms of the class action suit. It was only offering compensation if I was already injured, or having to commit conspiracy with a crime of lemon law and consumer rights, and possible murder. These SUV's were built in 2016 and had enough time to be taken off the market. I purchased my vehicle last year 2020.

- Miramar, FL, USA

problem #25

Mar 012021

Santa Fe

  • miles
Upon start up engine is very loud, continues to be loud and dealer says it is just engine normal engine noise

- Windber, PA, USA

problem #24

Dec 192020

Santa Fe

  • miles
3 systems have failed within my two years of ownership. The biggest fault....and this is what you guys need to know!!!!!!! ATTENTION NEEDED. DECEMBER 2020, I was put in total danger and others -???. After months of telling the dealer that the engine was idling really rough - like a shaking - and revving weirdly at times of acceleration. They continued to tell me there was nothing wrong with it and made me seem like I was the crazy one. Fast-forwarding to December 2020, I started to now hear this metal clacking noise from the engine. Made a 3rd appointment at the dealer that was a week out - but never MADE IT. Because few days before it, I was going out to a friend's and clacking started to get even louder - as LOUD could hear in the cabin. THEN as about to get onto highway on-ramp WITH NO WARNING- no check engine light - no notice whatsoever - engine rpm spiked loudly and a very loud pop followed - and engine totally ceased. Lost total engine propulsion - vehicle rolled to a stop and then all lights and sounds started going off with check engine light NOW FLASHING. HAD TO have HYUNDAI towed to the dealer - in which "there was an engine rod bearing failure - which caused the engine to cease. Dealer took days to even get it seen and wouldn't give a loaner till deemed a fault under "warranty" which clearly was with there 10 yr - 100,000 mile warranty - which makes sense because there poorly made/crafted engine designs that involve the GDI ENGINES_ which have been known to fail prematurely - CAUSE FIRES _ and has even killed people. They aren't fixing the engine design they simply are putting the same KIND IN>>> and putting a system that detects engine knocking. THAT DOESNT FIX THE PROBLEM - and they KNOW THAT. There was no recall on my car or got anything in mail regarding engine dangers. Further Hyundai would not give me any paperwork regarding the repair besides an engine assembly - a replacement that all. I readily asked for more info and they wouldn't give it.

- New Fairfield, CT, USA

problem #23

Jun 252021

Santa Fe

  • 75,622 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to stall and then ceased. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle but continued to experience the failure. The contact stated she was able to drive at a slow speed to her residence but started to smell fumes. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and who was unable to service the vehicle due to a fuel leak. The contact called and notified the local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,622.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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