10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 23
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 7 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 42,659 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
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his son was driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated the instrument panel with an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the vehicle was no longer safe to be driven. The contact then called a dealer and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and that the dealer needed approval from the manufacturer to replace the engine. The contact was called back and informed that they would not be able to service the vehicle because the vehicle had a salvage title. The contact then called the manufacturer directly and was given the same information. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. From contact: Hyundai National has been extremely uncooperative. It was explained to them that the vehicle was about to prove fatal to his son, but none of the executives (to which the contact reached via email) replied via email. The case manager was rude and said she is the ultimate authority to make any decision and she has made a decision that Hyundai will not cover the repair of the vehicle. It should be noted that the salvage title of the vehicle had nothing to do with the engine. It was hit at the rear right due to which the vehicle was salvaged. Similar problems have happened with many many Hyundai vehicles. Do not know why it is not a national recall.
- Richardson, TX, USA
My engine cut out on me driving down the interstate and my check engine light started flashing. After getting my car off the road safely but barley I turned it off and turned it back on and check engine light still flashing and now my car will not proceed higher than 2000 rpm or over 60 mph. Took my car to a shop and the ran scanner and it came back as knock sensor. That was replaced and my car did the same thing after driving it about 2 miles. They ran the scan codes again and this time it came back as VVT solenoid. That was replaced but while replacing the solenoid When took out there was copper/metal shavings on the solenoid. Doing further investigation on this it is shown that the car of the same year make and model I have has had recall for engine failure for the bearings which would cause the shavings on my solenoid but my car is not under the recall but having the same exact problem.
- Sidney, OH, USA
Dear Sir/Madam, I bought the vehicle in 2016 from a local dealer, unknown to me that the vehicle had a branded/salvage title. After driving for a few years, about a month and half ago, while driving the engine just stalled on me. After having back and forth with Hyundai National Team and Hyundai Corporate, they denied my warranty claim that because its a salvaged title. The engine is original and was not tempered with as confirmed my Local Hyundai Dealer. Hyundai has currently recalled about 1.6 Million vehicles due to premature bearing wear and potential engine failure issue. The vehicle currently has 65,000 miles on it, and the engine breakdown is an internal failure. Having a salvage title should not be a reason to deny the claim especially when its not a cosmetic problem but an engine failure itself. Spending $6,000 - $8,000 on a new engine is completely unaffordable for me. I will appreciate any help you can provide after I have been suffering without car for almost 2 months in these difficult COVID times.
- Clifton, NJ, USA
Engine caught fire due to recall not complete, after taking it to mechanic to replace the fire damaged fuel line and engine wire harness, engine somehow lost compression and wouldn't start. Oil level and oil were good, engine started making knocking noise before catching fire. Manufacturer is refusing recall for the engine.
- Inman, SC, USA
I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I COULD NOT GO MORE THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE THAT EVENTUALLY CUT THE ENGINE OFF. I was told that the engine has a lifetime warranty according to the Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America Resolve Engine Litigation [https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/2883]. I am unable to get in contact with Hyundai.
- Manteca, CA, USA
Engine shut off without warning on the freeway
- Spring, TX, USA
On 06/11/2021, I visited Hyundai Harrisonburg, VA service center to perform some recalls as per the attached documents. I was told that the engine is covered by a lifetime warranty and they didn't charge me anything. They performed recall #162 for the engine problem & installed a special software to monitor the knocking problem. They didn't open the engine to check the crank or the bearing wear. They asked me to keep an eye on the engine and if any thing happens, I could return back immediately to them. Only after 6 days, smoke started to go out of the exhaust and I couldn't drive the vehicle over 40 MPH. I drove the vehicle to them and left it for a week. After a week; when I called them, they told me that the engine needs to be changed with a new one but they couldn't contact Hyundai USA to send them a new engine because the car was driven more than 120K miles as per Hyundai rule (10 years/120K miles). I told the service center manager that it's a lifetime warranty according to the Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America Resolve Engine Litigation [https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/2883] He said that Hyundai should approve it to replace the engine and I should contact them for approval. So I contacted NHTSA to get me that approval instead of wasting my time explaining the litigation. I couldn't drive the vehicle since then because of the heavy smoke. I towed it from the Service Center to my home and submitted the complaint. I consulted 2 mechanics who advised me not to drive the vehicle to avoid engine explosion or an accident. It's not safe to drive the vehicle for me and for others in the street. The litigation is very clear that engine warranty is lifetime and the problem that happened to it is what that warranty covers. Smoke and low speed driving mode are some of many symptoms of that issue. I am waiving my right of compensation for towing or rentals and I don't want any compensation other than engine swap ASAP. I want them to tow it back. Thanks
- Harrisonburg, VA, USA
2014 Hyundai Sonata, 65500 miles. Engine seized while driving on the highway. Complete loss of power. Car would not start after the incident. Hyundai dealership won't have time to diagnose the car for 1.5 to 2 months and won't provide a loaner or rental car. Likely several additional months after they look at it to get a new engine.
- Cedar Park, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning while making an abnormal sound. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence. An independent mechanic went to the contact's residence and diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
- Miami, FL, USA
I was driving on a local road and the car started jumping so I pulled down the block to park it and it turned off.
- Elmwood Park, NJ, USA
On 4/16/2021, I was driving late in the evening on the 60 w freeway, my Sonata just turned off in the middle of driving. Luckily I was on the right lane closest to shoulder of freeway, it startled & scared my boyfriend & I. I was able to react in time to safely pullover on shoulder without harming my boyfriend & I or any other drivers, this is a serious safety hazard & could've had deadly results. I quickly shut off the engine & restarted Sonata, it was a little sluggish when turning ignition on, car turned on & I was able to drive home safely. The next morning, my boyfriend & I started the car again felt sluggish turning ignition on. I began driving on streets, as I was turning left the car shut off again. My boyfriend & I managed to safely push car off to side out of harm of traffic. Tried turning car ignition on, sounds like engine wanted to start but wouldnt. My boyfriend & I pushed car to my boyfriends house. On 04/20/2021, had car towed to auto shop for diagnostic testing for explanation of car suddenly shutting off & engine not starting.
- Eastvale, CA, USA
I was driving 70 miles per hour when my car started slowing down and the check engine light went on. I could not go more than 60 miles per hour on the freeway
- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA
My engine started making a knocking noise that eventually cut the engine off while in motion. As told the recall was about but Hyundai claim since my car salvaged, they won't pay for another engine when my is the recall problem. Now when everytime I cut the car on it makes a knocking sound then eventually cut off
- Arlington, TN, USA
The bearing broke in my 2014 Hyundai Sonata and the engine is seized. I was driving down the road when the car shut off with no warning
- Daytona Beach, FL, USA
2/6/2018-had recall inspection done at claremont Hyundai. All systems deemed ok. Apparently, the engine should have been replaced. I want Hyundai to replace my engine, and reimburse me for repairs. 2019-had 1 instance of engine cutting off while driving on a city street. 2020-had 2 instances of engine cutting off while driving; once on a city street, once on a freeway. Very dangerous! 2/5/21-engine cut off while driving on freeway. Engine light stays on continually. Paid $1,500 for repairs. (1 itemized receipt for full amount, 2 separate receipts for separate credit card payments). Engine light remains on, engine continues to cut off while driving. Mechanics can find no reason for problem..
- Claremomt, CA, USA
I would be driving my car and it would just die even if I was on the interstate. And it did it multiple times.
- Columbia, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to pride Hyundai (777 lynnway, lynn, MA 01905: (833) 281-9379) where it was diagnosed with an evaporation leak. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was next taken to bill dube Hyundai (271 main St, wilmington, MA 01887, (978) 253-4691) and was diagnosed with an evaporation leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
- Gloucester, MA, USA
The car died while exiting the interstate onto the turnpike. Pulled over and attempted to start the vehicle with no success. Smoke began coming from under the hood and soon the car was on fire.
- Edmond, OK, USA
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Troy, MO, USA
- Munford, AL, USA