NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
200 reportsClear category filter150,000 miles · Jun 15, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started jerking and lost motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure; however, the vehicle …
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started jerking and lost motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #11527271
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2023
Engine
I had to replace my engine at approximately 111,000 miles. Prior to replacing the engine, the car required frequent oil changes prior to the 3,000 mile time frame. I took it to the Hyundai dealership but they said because it wasn't this specific issue, it wasn't covered under the special extended warranty. The car received regul…
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I had to replace my engine at approximately 111,000 miles. Prior to replacing the engine, the car required frequent oil changes prior to the 3,000 mile time frame. I took it to the Hyundai dealership but they said because it wasn't this specific issue, it wasn't covered under the special extended warranty. The car received regular oil changes and maintenance. I had to take the car to another maintenance shop to have the car repaired.
NHTSA ODI #11525652
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2023
Engine
Engine failure due to defective engine from manufacturer
NHTSA ODI #11525446
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2023
Engine
The car burns oil excessively. I have never had to change my oil, because there is never any oil left. I can fill the engine with oil and check it a week later and it will be low. I have checked underneath the car when it has been sitting and there is no evident leak. This car goes through oil very quickly. There is a recall on …
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The car burns oil excessively. I have never had to change my oil, because there is never any oil left. I can fill the engine with oil and check it a week later and it will be low. I have checked underneath the car when it has been sitting and there is no evident leak. This car goes through oil very quickly. There is a recall on this vehicle for an older year for the same exact issue I am having, but not a recall on this year of this vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11524525
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2023
Engine
My vehicle had problems with oil consumption. I took it to Hyundai of Metairie and tried to tell them about the problem. They told me that they could not find an oil consumption issue, topped off my oil and then let me leave when I brought it back to them after an oil change that lost all of my oil in less than a month with no r…
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My vehicle had problems with oil consumption. I took it to Hyundai of Metairie and tried to tell them about the problem. They told me that they could not find an oil consumption issue, topped off my oil and then let me leave when I brought it back to them after an oil change that lost all of my oil in less than a month with no residue on my driveway and no obvious leak now they are telling me they will not fix my vehicle because I’m not the original owner of the vehicle, but I bought the Hyundai from Hyundai a Metairie and they did not disclose the information of oil consumption to me once I purchased a vehicle, so that technically is considered vehicle fraud. The lack of knowledge about the oil consumption at purchase was where they went wrong and now that there is a serious issue that will not stop and it is just outside of warranty even though I brought it to them several times before the warranty now they will not honor it. This recall on this issue has cost me thousands of dollars on a vehicle that will eventually give me engine failure.
NHTSA ODI #11523669
61,000 miles · May 5, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a burning odor, and a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the engine needed t…
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The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a burning odor, and a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced due to a rod bearing failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and encouraged the contact to submit a complaint to the Better Business Bureau and the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. The contact stated that the manufacturer declined to provide assistance because the failure occurred out of warranty and the mileage on the vehicle. The dealer sided with the contact and is trying to offer a solution. A rental car was provided to the contact.
NHTSA ODI #11520642
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
I purchased my vehicle at 51,700 miles. Approx 2 months …1,000-2,000 miles later my car went into limp mode and wouldn’t exceed 20 mph. I also noticed that my vehicle was consuming 4-qts of oil every 1,000 miles since then and is experiencing engine failure. It’s a safety hazard to myself and others as the car just shuts off com…
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I purchased my vehicle at 51,700 miles. Approx 2 months …1,000-2,000 miles later my car went into limp mode and wouldn’t exceed 20 mph. I also noticed that my vehicle was consuming 4-qts of oil every 1,000 miles since then and is experiencing engine failure. It’s a safety hazard to myself and others as the car just shuts off completely while driving. Hyundai won’t do anything about it. I have documents to show every oil change/maintenance on vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11519203
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2023
Engine
Purchased car used April of 2022. After a couple of months of driving noticed that it was consuming a lot of oil. Thought maybe the oil change was not done right. Went had another oil change. Noticed more oil being consumed. Took to Hyundai dealer for ABS recall. While I was there I told them about the oil. I was then notified a…
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Purchased car used April of 2022. After a couple of months of driving noticed that it was consuming a lot of oil. Thought maybe the oil change was not done right. Went had another oil change. Noticed more oil being consumed. Took to Hyundai dealer for ABS recall. While I was there I told them about the oil. I was then notified about the oil consumption problems. I started the oil consumption test. After a 1000 miles. Hyundai dealer stated oil consumption at an excess rate. Submitted for PA for top engine clean and was denied. I am scared to death that the engine is going to seize up while driving. There was no warning lights that my oil was low.
NHTSA ODI #11517879
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2023
Engine
I have problems with higher oil consumption, the Hyundai require a new engine but the Extended warranty don't want cover and requested a Tier down and warranty want me to cover for the tier down (2,925 dls) when my copay it is 250 dls and cover full engine and full transmission.
NHTSA ODI #11516224
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2023
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed Control
I was driving on the highway in a mountainous area going downhill. The cruise control was on with the speed set at about 80 miles/hour. Then the car was losing speed, the RPM needle started swinging from left and right. I stepped on the accelerator but the car continue losing speed to 40 miles/hour and continue losing speed. I t…
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I was driving on the highway in a mountainous area going downhill. The cruise control was on with the speed set at about 80 miles/hour. Then the car was losing speed, the RPM needle started swinging from left and right. I stepped on the accelerator but the car continue losing speed to 40 miles/hour and continue losing speed. I turned on the emergency light to warn the other drivers and was able to move the car to the shoulder and stopped it without an accident. But the cars behind me could have smashed into my car that day and that would be the last day for my mother (in the car at that time) and me. The car had 41000 miles on it and we had the maintenance done just recently. I did not notice anything else abnormal before the incident. We reported the problem to the dealer and have to pay for the dealer to inspect the car. The inspection has been scheduled but not done yet.
NHTSA ODI #11514929
Official recalls
3Feb 3, 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
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 multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Jun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Jun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt for the driver's seat belt anchor might not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the bolt was not sufficiently tightened, driver's seat belt may come unanchored in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will verify that the driver's seatbelt anchor is properly secured, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 165.
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.
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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