10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 17 / 54
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 8 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 59,302 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I was driving down the road my car stalled and I pulled off to the side of the freeway. I pushed my push to start button and nothing happened. I pushed it again and the car started right up with no weird sounds. Then I pulled back into the freeway and got off at the next exit to check the oil. I wasn't due for an oil change for another 500 miles, the oil was low so I added a quart that I bought from the chevron I pulled into. I then got back on the freeway but my car would not shift, so I changed it to manual mode and started shifting myself and it got up to like 60 mph but then wouldn't accelerate any more even with my foot all the way down. I continued for a short period of time until the car started to sound like it was going over those bumps in the road that are meant to keep you awake. Once I pulled off the freeway the car began to make an extremely loud knocking sound. I parked it off to the side and called a mechanic out to look at it. He found metal shavings in the oil (as seen in the photos attached) and told me I needed a new engine.
- Modesto, CA, USA
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that he smelled fuel fumes inside the vehicle while driving 65 mph on the highway. When he arrived home, the contact smelled smoke and saw flames under the hood of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and the fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact previously called gray epperson Hyundai (4100 apd 40, cleveland, tn 37311, (423) 464-4881) about the smoke odor and was informed not to worry. The dealer stated that they could schedule an appointment for the following week. After the failure, the contact called the dealer again and informed them about not being taken seriously the first time. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 18V934000 (engine, fuel system, gasoline), but he did not receive a notification. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 101,000.
- Chattanooga, TN, USA
Steering coupler was recalled and replaced at around 80,000, engine failed at 106,000ish and was replaced by Hyundai with remanufactured motor, steering is making noise again and acting exactly like before related to the steering column coupler. Noticed a lot of complaints about steering failure issues after engine replacement. Also, voiced concerns about repetitive failure of rear light bulbs and what appears to be faulty poor quality light plugs or too light of wiring for lights on car; nothing done a peacock Hyundai in columbia to check matter or remedy matter. Peacock Hyundai is now stating that the steering column has failed on a 5 year old car requesting approximately $1600 to replace on issue that is acting like coupler problem; one of the Hyundai people in the bay said that is a coupler issue and the other jumped in and said it wasn't. note: This vehicle had said coupler repaired under warranty; engine failed and was replaced at 106,000 due to shavings in engine (recall or service bulletin), now this reoccurrence of a steering issue has occurred just after the engine replacement. Just to pass this one as well; car has had two brake jobs within two years and I drive conservatively.
- West Columbia, SC, USA
I was leaving a parking lot and my gear shift would not move, I had to put a pair of scissors in the shift lock so it would move, then my brake lights went out. I havent had it fixed yet. My engine blew also a few years ago, I had that fixed but I should not be having issues like this. It may be the brake light switch or the shifter cable
- Tampa, FL, USA
After a service recall to remove metal shavings from the engine in March of 2018, we purchased a new primary vehicle and this vehicle was used sparingly. We have driven this car no more than 3K miles since the recall, and after driving it a on a thousand mile round trip to visit family in November I began hearing engine knocking and the engine stalled on me several times. Based on the most recent recall for 2013 Hyundai Sonatas which is some software update that is supposed to detect engine knocking, it appears a bearing has failed in the engine, either as a result of or in spite of the service performed last year. My fuel economy in the car has plummeted, presumably as a result of a blown cylinder, and oil now leaks from parts unknown. Upon contacting Hyundai's customer care center it seems this engine failure is not covered by any recall, even though it is quite obvious this is a common problem based on researching complaints here. My wife had her car serviced religiously, and I have a 1998 truck that has more miles and less engine problem than this car has had. We are leaving this car parked in the driveway because it is unsafe to travel on the streets, and Hyundai will not tow it to the closest dealership. Based on the sheer number of complaints that are similar, Hyundai should be required to fix any engines that have failed or seized as a result of faulty bearings.
- Troutman, NC, USA
While accelerating on a busy road suddenly my vehicle stalled, multiple warning lights came on, and I was unable to restart my vehicle. I was able to keep control of the vehicle but all options to accelerate or continue driving were gone. There was no advanced indicators that this was going to occur.
- Farmington, UT, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Engine recall - I did an oil change at glendale Hyundai ca., and the vehicle is now blowing thick white smoke through the tail pipe. The engine is knocking, and the oil is sludgy and it sized up on me while driving on the city streets. My vehicle only has 36K miles on it... I did some research and noted that the model that has recalls on the engine for sludgy and knocking and worn-out bearings are Hyundai Sonata from the 2011 and 2012 model years it has either the 2.0-liter turbo or 2.4-liter version of the 4-cylinder theta II engine. Im taking it to the dealer today and see what and how theyll handle the situation.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Car had a engine recalled per dealership and Hyundai. 2 years later the 2nd engine has failed. Smoke out the exhaust. I was told the rings went bad in the 2nd engine. Driving down the road there was so much smoke I could not see the car behind me and they could not see me.
- Lake Worth, FL, USA
Brake lights have gone out monthly since 2017. The light sockets have melted to the actual bulbs. The center brake light stays on sometimes while driving. There is a concern that this is a fire hazard and my 10 & 12 year old's are in the back seat. Last week while driving approx. 45mph the vehicle decelerated while pressing gas and would not increase speed until I let off the gas and the gas again. This has happened many times. It concerns me that this may cause an accident when traveling at a high rate of speed.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
While I was driving on the highway driving at speeds of 55 P/H my truck shut off. I had it towed to the nearest dealership and they told me that my engine has sized up. I had not missed an oil change since buying this vehicle. I do not know what my next steps are to get my vehicle fix. I do not believe that I should have to replace a engine when the make and model and year of my vehicle has known recalls for this issue.
- Bowie, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 40-45 mph, the vehicle decelerated and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to sterling mccall Hyundai (located at 10505 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77074, (713) 981-4400) where it was diagnosed that the turbo boost sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
- Katy, TX, USA
First incident involves a vehicle in motion that suddenly shut down on me and I was on the interstate I had to cruise off the exit into a parking space. Car would not start back ended up taking it to the dealership and had to replace the radiator. Few months flowing that I'm headed into work and my car start smoking out of nowhere and starts rattling I pull over to the gas station and check my fluids all are full. I get the car towed to dealership all of a sudden I need a new engine. There's been several recalls for engine failures so I would like my car to be checked as well. This is a costly repair to come out of nowhere especially when I keep up with oil changes etc
- Ocean Springs, MS, USA
My 2013 Hyundai Sonata had complete and total engine failure. I take care of the car and maintain it and the engine just failed in the middle of a residential road at a stop sign. Turns out it was one of many that Hyundai offered an extended warranty on but I was never notified my engine or car for that matter was one on a national recall and backorder.
- Crawfordville, FL, USA
Engine stalls out
- Houston, TX, USA
A knocking sound could be heard under the hood as I started my car up. I took it to the maintenance mechanic immediately, and was informed the engine was going bad. I was instructed to drive it to the nearest Hyundai dealership, which is 4 miles away. Upon starting the vehicle up, I drove it fifty feet away from my mechanic and the engine made a seizing sound and shut off. The car was still in motion and wouldn't stop as the brakes wouldn't engage. I was able to stop the vehicle in the middle of the intersection, just narrowly avoiding a car accident. I had no warning indicators this was going to happen, I had zero engine lights warning of any impending issues before this catastrophic failure of the engine, which almost cost me my life. My mechanic has provided me with a full history of every oil change and repair order for the vehicle. This mechanic is also the general manager of a reputable auto shop and assured me I did everything right and Hyundai sold a lemon. I did take a picture of my dash board 10 minutes prior to this event happening. This can confirm I did not have a single warning light providing a warning before the engine seizing up completely. I have done everything I was required to by Hyundai to maintain the vehicle. But the engine seized regardless. 2013 Sonata SE 2.0 T mileage : 63,223 solid maintenance history on the engine and car. I can provide a comprehensive maintenance list when requested. Need a few days to get the entire history.
- Batavia, IL, USA
Dealer (D'arcy Hyundai, joliet, il) changed oil and performed ECM update 4 days prior to incident. Driving down interstate (65mph), while on the way home from out of state. Engine started knocking, engine light illuminated and loss of power. Was able to safely get off the road and to a gas station. Checked oil and coolant. Called nearby mechanic. He reported engine replacement would be likely. But being nye, couldn't really help. Left car and returned to tow it back 350 miles few days later. Called dealer, service manager explained what has been going on, and ECM update did exactly what it should have. Told me to tow it back to him and he'd get it taken care of. Had I known previously about the engine issue, I probably would have rented a car for the road trip. Or if the ECM update was explained properly at the very least. Service campaign 953 video footage available upon request
- Joliet, IL, USA
Sonata recall: Well for starters I almost got hit by a 18 wheeler because the car shut off on the interstate while I was driving. Lucky I was to get the car to the side of the road but it hit the side rail because I couldnt get it to stop.now the car will not start at all. All of the lights came on at once and it scared me to death because my kids were in the car with me.
- Hampton, VA, USA
I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden there was loss of power and a loud clunking/knocking noise. I pulled over and then the engine stopped working. The car had all service done on time.
- Richmond, TX, USA
- Philadelphia, PA, USA