2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was coolant in the engine and that the knock sensor detection system needed to be replaced. The dealer made the contact aware of Manufacturer Campaign Number: 953 and stated that the vehicle was not previously serviced under the campaign, so the vehicle could not be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

The engine (2016 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0L/2.4L Theta II GDI engine) suffered a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, specifically related to the known connecting rod bearing defect. The vehicle is currently un-driveable and is located at Serra Hyundai in Trussville, AL. The vehicle and its failed engine are available for inspection upon request. The engine suddenly failed and lost all power while driving at highway speeds in active traffic. I was forced to coast a dead vehicle across multiple lanes of traffic to the shoulder without any acceleration capability. Yes. The vehicle experienced a complete failure, cannot be restarted, and is currently parked at an authorized Hyundai dealership The vehicle is currently at an authorized Hyundai dealership awaiting a formal corporate inspection and evaluation for engine replacement approval. It has not been inspected by police or insurance. There were no long-term warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the incident. The vehicle was operating normally until the exact moment of the failure, when the engine suddenly began knocking loudly, lost power, and stalled within seconds.

The vehicle is a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. It had previously been included in an engine-fire-related recall/service campaign, and Hyundai replaced the engine between approximately October 2024 and January 2025 at about 113,000 miles. About 10,000 miles and 14 months later, the vehicle developed engine/performance problems. A Hyundai dealership service center performed about $6,500 in repairs, including installation of a new transmission, and represented that the engine and transmission had a lifetime guarantee. One day after the vehicle was returned from the dealership, the engine compartment caught fire while the vehicle was being driven. The fire rapidly escalated, the vehicle exploded/burned, and the vehicle was destroyed down to the frame. The occupants escaped, but the incident created an immediate risk of serious injury or death. The failed component appears to involve the engine, engine compartment, fuel/oil/electrical systems, transmission-related repair area, or another drivetrain component. The vehicle remains may be available for inspection depending on insurance/tow/storage status. The vehicle had recently been repaired and inspected by a Hyundai dealership service center. This incident raises concern that the recall-related engine-fire risk, replacement engine, recent dealership repairs, transmission installation, or related components may have failed and created a serious fire hazard.

The engine powertrain system, specifically the internal engine lubrication, timing chain, and camshaft sensors. The vehicle's Theta II engine suffers from systemic, excessive oil consumption, which starved the engine of lubrication. This caused the timing chain to stretch and mechanically fail, and compromised the camshaft sensors. The vehicle is currently un-repaired and is available for inspection upon request at Hyundai of Downtown LA. While driving, the engine suddenly stalled and completely shut off mid-drive without warning. This caused an immediate loss of motive power and a dangerous reduction in steering and braking control while surrounded by active traffic. Operating a vehicle that randomly shuts down on public roads presents an extreme, life-threatening safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers. Furthermore, the dealership is attempting to force me to drive the vehicle for an additional 1,000 miles in this stalling, un-repaired condition to complete a corporate oil test, compounding the safety risk. The failure and safety hazard have been physically confirmed and diagnosed by an authorized dealership: Hyundai of Downtown LA (3850 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037). Their service department mechanically diagnosed the physical failure of the camshaft sensors, a stretched timing chain, and severe engine oil starvation. There were absolutely no dashboard warning lights, check engine lights, low oil pressure lamps, or messages prior to the engine stalling and shutting off. The vehicle computer failed to trigger any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) or dashboard warnings to alert me to the low oil level or the impending mechanical timing failure before the vehicle completely shut down mid-drive.

My car only has 93,000 miles on it. I was driving home from work and all of a sudden the check engine light came on while I’m on the freeway. I made it home and went to research then all of a suddenly the check engine light would just start flashing. I got it checked by a mechanic. They said that there was metal shavings in the oil which I have no clue how that would happen and that there was a code for knocking.

While driving the vehicle at approximately at 55 MPH on a the 826, the engine suffered a sudden and catastrophic mechanical failure without warning. The vehicle lost all motive power in active traffic, creating an immediate safety hazard and nearly resulting in a rear-end collision. Upon inspection, it was determined that the engine assembly, which is a replacement unit provided by Hyundai under the Theta II Settlement, with less than 12,000 miles, suffered an internal breach. This breach allowed coolant to contaminate the lubrication system sort of a milky oil, which led to a connecting rod bearing seizure. Despite this being a repeat failure of a safety-recall component and the vehicle being covered under the Theta II Settlement Lifetime Warranty, Hyundai Motor America has denied the repair claim. I am reporting this as a safety defect because the sudden engine stall resulted in a loss of power-assisted steering and braking while the vehicle was in motion.

The engine light started blinking and my car would not accelerate anymore. I took it to the mechanic immediately, who said that there was an engine recall. I contacted the dealership, but they cannot do an initial inspection for more than 2 months. It would likely take another 2-3 months after the inspection before the engine can be replaced. I called Hyundai and they confirmed that my vehicle should be covered under an extended warranty based on the service history and error code from my car (TXXI for the Theta 2 engine - knock sensor detection, code p1326). However, Hyundai will not provide any help until the vehicle is inspected by a dealership. The dealership completely refuses to look at my car as they are busy. I live on an island, so the only other Hyundai dealership is two hours away. They will not answer any of my calls. I'm expected to figure out how to commute to work alone for the next two months, but since I live in a rural area, there are no alternative transportation options. An independent mechanic confirmed and reproduced the issue. The car is unsafe to drive. The dealer will not inspect my component in a reasonable time frame, much less repair it despite the fact that it is covered under extended warranty. The car was driving normally prior to the issue, and I did not notice any problems until the engine light started blinking. I have the car available for inspection.