NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
163 reportsClear category filter82,000 miles · May 14, 2018
Engine
IN JAN 2018 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR A NOTICE A KNOCKING NOISE. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASK ABOUT THE NOISE THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT IT MAYBE MY OIL PUMP. NEVER HAD ANY STALLING PROBLEMS AS OTHERS HAD REPORTED BUT DID HAVE A FEW TIMES THAT IT SEEMED LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT UNTIL I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL. BROUG…
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IN JAN 2018 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR A NOTICE A KNOCKING NOISE. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASK ABOUT THE NOISE THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT IT MAYBE MY OIL PUMP. NEVER HAD ANY STALLING PROBLEMS AS OTHERS HAD REPORTED BUT DID HAVE A FEW TIMES THAT IT SEEMED LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT UNTIL I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER SHIP(ROWE, AUBURN,ME) TO HAVE IT CHECKED AS IT WAS STILL UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. LEFT IT THERE ON FEB 5, 2018. THEY CALLED ME LATER THAT MORNING AND TOLD ME THAT MY ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. INTERNAL PROBLEM. NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS. SO I ASKED IF THIS WAS GOING TO BE COVERED 100% AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY SAID YES. SO THEY PUT ME IN A LOANER CAR. CHECKED BACK IN AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND WAS TOLD MY ENGINE WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER UNTIL POSSIBLE MAY 2018. SO HERE IT IS MAY 14, 2018 AND STILL HAVE NOT HEARD WHEN I'LL GET MY CAR BACK.
NHTSA ODI #11093691
75,000 miles · May 1, 2018
Engine
HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS OR COMPLETE STOP. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON CITY STREETS. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF DAYS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC FRIEND AND HE SAID IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POWER BRAKES PUTTING AIR INTO THE ENGINE SO I REPLACED THE BOOSTER. THE NEXT TIME I WENT DRIVING …
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HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS OR COMPLETE STOP. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON CITY STREETS. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF DAYS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC FRIEND AND HE SAID IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POWER BRAKES PUTTING AIR INTO THE ENGINE SO I REPLACED THE BOOSTER. THE NEXT TIME I WENT DRIVING IT DID IT AGAIN IN ABOUT AN HOUR. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SENT IT TO VANDERGRIFF HYUNDAI IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS. THEIR DIAGNOSES WAS THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TIMING CHAIN AND OTHER PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. WITH ALL THE EXPENSES INVOLVED THE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD GET A USED ENGINE FOR JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN HE COULD FIX THE TIMING CHAIN FOR BUT STILL MUCH CHEAPER THAN THE DEALER WOULD TO REPLACE JUST THE TIMING CHAIN. I HAD THE NEW ENGINE INSTALLED BUT TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING AFTER ABOUT 8 HOURS OF DRIVING. THEN I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THIS MECHANIC WAS NOT A HIGHLY SKILLED MECHANIC. LONG STORY SHORT. ATTEMPTING TO GET THE STALLING PROBLEM FIXED. I HAD A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED, A NEW TRANSMISSION, AND ANOTHER ENGINE. THE MECHANIC LOST THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR SO THE A/C WOULDN'T WORK. THE HUMIDITY BUILT UP IN THE CAR DURING A RAIN STORM. I COULDN'T SEE AND GOT STUCK IN HIGH WATER BLOWING OUT THAT ENGINE. NOW IT WAS COOL SO I DIDN'T NEED THE A/C. BUT WHEN THE WEATHER GOT WARMER I WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR SO THE A/C WOULD WORK. BUT NOW THE CAR IS STALLING AGAIN. SAME PROBLEM. SO THE DIAGNOSIS BY VANDERGRIFF HYUNDAI WAS OBVIOUSLY INCORRECT AND IT LOOKS LIKE OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11091120
58,000 miles · Apr 26, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE PUGI HYUNDAI DEALER (1866 OGDEN AV, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515, 630-964-9500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING ON ONE OF THE SENS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE PUGI HYUNDAI DEALER (1866 OGDEN AV, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515, 630-964-9500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING ON ONE OF THE SENSORS. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. PATRICK HYUNDAI (1020 E. GOLF RD, SCHAUMBURG, IL 60173, 847-350-1520) DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE ENGINE AND THE GASKET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO PATRICK HYUNDAI AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART WAS NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY. THE DEALER RECONNECTED THE UNKNOWN PART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NAPLETON VALLEY HYUNDAI (4333 OGDEN AVE, AURORA, IL 60504, 877-382-8666) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FIRM BELT WAS FAULTY. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BELT. THE TECHNICIAN WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE CONTINUED STALLING WAS CAUSED BY BAD FUEL; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT AGREE AND NEEDED TO CHECK A FEW MORE THINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #11090352
75,700 miles · Feb 2, 2018
Engine
AT 75,000 MILES, THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. I CONTACTED A HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD ANYMORE. THEY SAID IT HAS "INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE". I CHANGED THE OIL ON SCHEDULE. A WELL KEPT ENGINE SHOULDN'T DIE WITH THAT FEW MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11066675
50,000 miles · Jan 29, 2018
Air BagsEngineUnknown Or OtherCrash
I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE IS DELAYED KINDA, ALMOST LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH AIR AT THE RIGHT TIME . MY CAR WILL HAVE A HARD TIME ACCELERATING AND IT WILL HIT HIGH RMPS THEN SHIFT. I HAVE TO JUST SLOW DOWN BEFORE THE SHIFT CAUSE SOMETIMES IT SCARES ME. I HEAR A TICKING SOUND SOMETIME BUT THAT COULD B…
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I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE IS DELAYED KINDA, ALMOST LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH AIR AT THE RIGHT TIME . MY CAR WILL HAVE A HARD TIME ACCELERATING AND IT WILL HIT HIGH RMPS THEN SHIFT. I HAVE TO JUST SLOW DOWN BEFORE THE SHIFT CAUSE SOMETIMES IT SCARES ME. I HEAR A TICKING SOUND SOMETIME BUT THAT COULD BE MUSIC. MY BREAKS ARE REALLY TOUCHY AND SOMETIME SEEM TO HAVE NO TRACTION WHEN I NEED IT MOST. ALL THESE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING. WHEN I AM TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR BREAK I CAN FILL SOME KIND OF PULL FROM BEHIND THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11065575
3,000 miles · Jan 22, 2018
EngineTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE ANTI-TRACTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND SOMETIMES TOOK AWHILE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, THE ANTI-TRACTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND SOMETIMES TOOK AWHILE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM MAINTAINING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FENTON HYUNDAI (16230 LYNDON B JOHNSON FWY, MESQUITE, TEXAS), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
NHTSA ODI #11064199
49,221 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Engine
ENGINE STARTED WITH "DRY (NO OIL)" SOUND, WHICH DISSIPATED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL, WAS OK. TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 12-14 MILES. AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70-75 MPH, ENGINE LOST POWER. LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND ENGINE DIED, I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL, COASTED, THEN LET OFF THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND ENGINE RESTARTED MAK…
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ENGINE STARTED WITH "DRY (NO OIL)" SOUND, WHICH DISSIPATED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL, WAS OK. TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 12-14 MILES. AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70-75 MPH, ENGINE LOST POWER. LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND ENGINE DIED, I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL, COASTED, THEN LET OFF THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND ENGINE RESTARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD SOUND. MADE IT TO THE HIGHWAY EXIT, ABOUT 1.5 MILES. AS VEHICLE SLOWED, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE HAD SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, SOUNDED LIKE BROKEN BOLTS ROLLING AROUND IN THE ENGINE. PARKED THE CAR. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THERE WAS A LARGE CHUNK OF METAL, ASSUMED AND LATER CONFIRMED TO BE PART OF AN INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENT, LAYING ON THE GROUND WHICH HAD CAME THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND MAKING A HOLE IN IT. REQUIRED AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11062125
40,000 miles · Dec 13, 2017
Engine
BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2014 FOR MY DAUGHTER TWICE THIS YEAR 2017 CAR HAS SHOOK AND STALLED DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 40 MPH AND THEN RESTARTS UPON TURNING KEY VERY VERY SCARY SITUATION I HAVE TAKEN TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED WAS TOLD NO CODES SHOW ON CARS COMPUTER NOTHING CAN BE DONE AGAIN THIS HAPPENED TWICE …
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BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2014 FOR MY DAUGHTER TWICE THIS YEAR 2017 CAR HAS SHOOK AND STALLED DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 40 MPH AND THEN RESTARTS UPON TURNING KEY VERY VERY SCARY SITUATION I HAVE TAKEN TO LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED WAS TOLD NO CODES SHOW ON CARS COMPUTER NOTHING CAN BE DONE AGAIN THIS HAPPENED TWICE BOTH ON CLEAR NICE WEATHER DAYS WHILE ACCELERATING ON LOCAL STREET AND CAR SHOOK AND STALLED BOTH TIMES WITH MOST DASH BOARD LITES INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE ILLUMINATING THEN WHEN RESTARTING CAR ALL LITES ARE GONE AND CAR DROVE FINE LOOKED ON LINE SEEMS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAME COMPLAINT REGARDING THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA
NHTSA ODI #11054585
97,000 miles · Dec 9, 2017
Air BagsEngine
AIRBAG COME ON STAY ON AND OIL LIGHT COME ON AND OFF
NHTSA ODI #11053623
132,000 miles · Aug 14, 2017
Engine
SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE METAL. CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY ON HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON AND OFF. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY KNOCKING WHICH GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER OVER SHORT PERIOD. ROLLED INTO SERVICE STATION TO FIND ENGINE BLOWN. SERVICE STATION SUGGESTED TOWING TO HYUNDAI FOR EVALUATI…
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SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE METAL. CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY ON HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON AND OFF. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY KNOCKING WHICH GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER OVER SHORT PERIOD. ROLLED INTO SERVICE STATION TO FIND ENGINE BLOWN. SERVICE STATION SUGGESTED TOWING TO HYUNDAI FOR EVALUATION. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TORE DOWN ENGINE TO FIND "SIGNIFICANT" METAL AND BLOWN CYLINDER. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11015120
Official recalls
2Sep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Nov 30, 2017
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Elantra sedan, coupe and GT vehicles. The brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the brake light switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. This will allow the brake lights to remain illuminated continuously. It can also allow the shift lever to be moved without depressing the brake pedal, or activate the engine management brake pedal override feature.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 8, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 170. This campaign expands recall 16V574.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.