Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
650–25K
2125–50K
1450–75K
2475–100K
26100–150K
6150K+
156 reports with mileage · 192 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports7 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
348 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2025
Engine
We had the oil changed like always and shortly after I was checking the oil and it was not even on the dipstick so I added some and checked for leaks anywhere did not see any than we had problems with it barely accelerating so took it to dealership the performed the anti knock sensor upgrade for free and when I asked about the o…
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We had the oil changed like always and shortly after I was checking the oil and it was not even on the dipstick so I added some and checked for leaks anywhere did not see any than we had problems with it barely accelerating so took it to dealership the performed the anti knock sensor upgrade for free and when I asked about the oil consumption they said that I needed to do a engine clean and all kinds of stuff came to like $400 so I had them do it because I can not have my wife stranded somewhere after all that they changed the oil again that was another $80 they said to bring it back at 1000 miles for them to check brought it back at 700 miles already used 1.5 qts they said engine is junk but cannot get anything done about because it had at the time 120000 miles
NHTSA ODI #11700398
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2025
Engine
The vehicle’s engine is experiencing excessive internal oil consumption that poses a serious safety risk while driving. After a routine oil change performed by an authorized Hyundai dealer, the engine oil warning light illuminated within about 1,700 miles. Upon inspection by another Hyundai service center, technicians confirmed …
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The vehicle’s engine is experiencing excessive internal oil consumption that poses a serious safety risk while driving. After a routine oil change performed by an authorized Hyundai dealer, the engine oil warning light illuminated within about 1,700 miles. Upon inspection by another Hyundai service center, technicians confirmed that the engine was burning oil abnormally and was three quarts low, with no external leaks. This issue was documented in the dealer’s repair order, which states “vehicle is burning excessive oil.” The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a Hyundai dealer. The vehicle is equipped with the Theta II 2.4L GDI engine, which is already covered under Hyundai’s KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) extended engine warranty due to known internal mechanical defects such as bearing wear and oil consumption. Despite this, the manufacturer has declined to replace the engine. The excessive oil burning occurs rapidly and triggers the low-oil warning light while the vehicle is in motion, creating a risk of engine seizure and sudden loss of power that could lead to a crash. The defect remains unresolved. Warning lights for low oil level appeared multiple times beginning in 2025, shortly after the KSDS update and knock-sensor replacement.
NHTSA ODI #11698836
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2025
Air BagsEngine
The light for the passenger airbag has been on for years. I have taken it in, and the only thing the service department determined is that there was a water bottle under the seat. I was rear-ended into another vehicle, and the airbag did not deploy. The engine burns the oil from an oil change in approximately two weeks. I add a…
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The light for the passenger airbag has been on for years. I have taken it in, and the only thing the service department determined is that there was a water bottle under the seat. I was rear-ended into another vehicle, and the airbag did not deploy. The engine burns the oil from an oil change in approximately two weeks. I add a quart of oil every two weeks. If the engine seizes while driving due to this condition, I could be injured in an accident.
NHTSA ODI #11695915
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2025
Engine
Engine is experiencing excessive oil consumption. Engine in question is a Theta II 2.4 GDI. Losing a qt every 400-500 miles. The car has less than 75,000 miles on it. The vehicle has been religiously maintained, oil changes every 5,000 miles or less. However because we are the second owners, even though it was purchased in 2020 …
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Engine is experiencing excessive oil consumption. Engine in question is a Theta II 2.4 GDI. Losing a qt every 400-500 miles. The car has less than 75,000 miles on it. The vehicle has been religiously maintained, oil changes every 5,000 miles or less. However because we are the second owners, even though it was purchased in 2020 when it had less than 30,000 miles, the warranty does not apply. The engine type has several manufacturer defects. Hyundai is using the technicality of a non-transferable warranty to get out of the fact that they knowingly put a defective engine in vehicles. By the time the oil consumption issue is apparent, it is too late, and you need a full unit replacement. I was quoted $9,000 - $10,500 by two Hyundai dealerships to replace the engine. I've spoken to non-Hyundai shops and the only way to truly correct the issue is to replace the engine with a remanned engine since the actual engines are manufactured poorly from go, so even a new one could be defective. There are million of these engines across several KIA and Hyundai vehicles. They cause undue burden to consumers. Hyundai and Kia do not stand by their product and consumers are being hurt. Instead of having an asset I thought was worth $10,000 an I could drive for several years and tens of thousands, if not one hundred thousand plus, more miles, I have a vehicle that is a ticking time bomb that would cost as much to fully fix the problem as it is worth. A simple google for Kia Optima, Kia Sorento, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Sante Fe, Hyundai Sante Fe Sport, Hyundai Sonata or Hyundai Tucson + Theta II 2.4 GDI will yield more than enough results to show how prevalent the engine failure + oil consumption issue is. If left unfixed the engine will consume too much oil and seize, or lead to other problems with vehicle rendering unsafe to drive.
NHTSA ODI #11695055
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2025
Engine
My car has a GDI motor and it is the most diabolical engine. I get an oil change REGULARY according to my cars need. Between oil changes, i have to constantly add oil. About every week i have to add about 2 quarts of oil. I have confirmed with my mechanic that i have NO leaks, no faulty gaskets or injectors. This car has caused …
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My car has a GDI motor and it is the most diabolical engine. I get an oil change REGULARY according to my cars need. Between oil changes, i have to constantly add oil. About every week i have to add about 2 quarts of oil. I have confirmed with my mechanic that i have NO leaks, no faulty gaskets or injectors. This car has caused me SO many problems. I should not have to constantly add oil to my car weekly just to get to my next oil change. There needs to be some sort of recall or extended warranty. My mechanic has stated that SEVERAL of his customers have had faulty GDI motors. My car has 118,000 miles on it and very well taken care of.
NHTSA ODI #11692516
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2025
Engine
On [XXX, I was driving on the interstate when my engine seized and the car lost all power, leaving me stranded on the side of the road on a busy exit at night. This was very dangerous to myself and others. I purchased this car in July of 2023 with 69,000 miles in good condition. I immediately made an appointment to take care of …
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On [XXX, I was driving on the interstate when my engine seized and the car lost all power, leaving me stranded on the side of the road on a busy exit at night. This was very dangerous to myself and others. I purchased this car in July of 2023 with 69,000 miles in good condition. I immediately made an appointment to take care of the recalls and updates to this car, which were performed February 2024 due to this being the first available appointment. Also, at my first oil change (3,000 miles after the previous oil change) I was told by the mechanic that there was absolutely no oil in my car. Since then I have had to put SEVERAL quarts of oil in between each oil change, costing me hundreds of dollars. Then June of 2024, the P1326 code flashed on my car and it went into limp mode also while I was driving on a busy street, putting myself and others in danger. I took it to the dealership and was advised to continue driving it and there was nothing they can do until my engine fails. I also brought up the oil consumption issue and was told that even if I did an oil consumption test (at my cost), there was nothing they could do. I was advised by my service advisor not to do a consumption test. I took his advice and continued to drive my car, adding countless quarts of oil weekly to my car. Fast forward to September 2024, when my engine light came on due to misfires in cylinder 3&4 and I took it to a local mechanic due to the incredibly long wait for an appointment at Hyundai. I was told all 4 spark plugs were oil fouled due to excessive oil consumption. This happened again July of 2025. My mechanic advised me that there was nothing to do about it, but that this would continue to happen due to the oil consumption issue. Now Hyundai is refusing to take responsibility for this engine that has had documented issues resulting in class action lawsuits and safety issues for myself and others and refusing any financial assistance. No warning lamps were on before incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO
NHTSA ODI #11691308
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2025
Engine
Engine shuttering and burning oil rapidly.
NHTSA ODI #11690663
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2025
Engine
On [XXX], around [XXX] I was driving my car on [XXX] and I suddenly experienced "Check Engine Flashing" and engine misfiring. I was driving ~70-75 mph in the left lane. I immediately turned ON the Hazard lights and somehow manage to get to the right lane and safely stopped the car in open space on the side. This could have resu…
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On [XXX], around [XXX] I was driving my car on [XXX] and I suddenly experienced "Check Engine Flashing" and engine misfiring. I was driving ~70-75 mph in the left lane. I immediately turned ON the Hazard lights and somehow manage to get to the right lane and safely stopped the car in open space on the side. This could have resulted in a very serious accident as I had my whole family in the car with me. Hyundai Motor Company must be held accountable for this type of engine quality issue. My car has 119580 miles. I had always car maintenance done at Hyundai Dealerships to make sure that it is maintained as per the company recommended. The Catalytic converter in my car was changed by the Hyundai Dealership (Key Hyundai Manchester, CT) at approximately 96000 miles as it had gone bad in April of 2024. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11690204
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2025
Engine
At first I noticed that there’s a strong smell of oil when I am driving it. The engine was consuming a large amount of oil so much so that I have to keep an extra bottle of oil in my car. I will be driving and oil light shows up and I have had an oil change not just a week prior. I had an independent mechanic to come check it an…
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At first I noticed that there’s a strong smell of oil when I am driving it. The engine was consuming a large amount of oil so much so that I have to keep an extra bottle of oil in my car. I will be driving and oil light shows up and I have had an oil change not just a week prior. I had an independent mechanic to come check it and he said a lot of oil is leaking out into the engine because, I never see any oil on the ground. Then finally the check engine light is on, the steering is shaking heavily and I have stopped driving it for my safety and that of others on the road.
NHTSA ODI #11688836
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Check engine light came on to check the oil and I had recently had an oil change and all of a sudden within a week or two I needed to fill my oil back up and it's gone through two quarts of oil since my oil change this has been going on for 2 years I did not know there was some place like this where I could follow a complaint. …
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Check engine light came on to check the oil and I had recently had an oil change and all of a sudden within a week or two I needed to fill my oil back up and it's gone through two quarts of oil since my oil change this has been going on for 2 years I did not know there was some place like this where I could follow a complaint. I constantly put oil in my car because my car is constantly low on oil and there is no evidence of the oil leaking onto the ground whatsoever. I don't know where the oil is going to but it's not leaking on the ground and there's just been a constant issue for the past 2-3 years
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.
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.
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
2
AQ23002 · 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.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year