NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
962 reports46,000 miles · Apr 26, 2020
Engine
BAD HESITATION PROBLEM MANY TIMES AS FOUR TIMES A DAY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS THERE'S NOTHING SOMETIMES LUNGING FORWARD ALMOST GETTING HIT BY ON COMING CAR BEEN THIS WAY SINCE I PURCHASED IN 2018 HAD IN THE SHOP TWICE CANT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE NO CODES SHAME MECHANIC CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THERE ARE CODES. VERY DANGEROUS LI…
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BAD HESITATION PROBLEM MANY TIMES AS FOUR TIMES A DAY WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS THERE'S NOTHING SOMETIMES LUNGING FORWARD ALMOST GETTING HIT BY ON COMING CAR BEEN THIS WAY SINCE I PURCHASED IN 2018 HAD IN THE SHOP TWICE CANT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE NO CODES SHAME MECHANIC CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THERE ARE CODES. VERY DANGEROUS LITERALLY 1000 OF COMPLAINS ON THE INTERNET SINCE 2016 SINCE SUV WAS MANUFACTURED
NHTSA ODI #11322298
10,000 miles · Mar 6, 2020
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER STEER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB BELL FORD LOCATED AT (7125…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVER STEER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB BELL FORD LOCATED AT (7125 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061) AND WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #11316544
98,000 miles · Feb 29, 2020
Engine
THE OIL LIGHT BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC FOUND THAT REAR SEAL BROKE, CAUSING FLUID TO SLOWLY DRIP. HOWEVER, OIL WAS CHECKED AND STILL FULL. I REPLACED THE REAR SEAL, BUT OIL LIGHT CONTINUED FLASHING ON AND OFF. THERE WAS METALLIC DEBRIS FOUND INSIDE THE OIL. COME TO FIND OUT THE ENGINE NE…
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THE OIL LIGHT BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC FOUND THAT REAR SEAL BROKE, CAUSING FLUID TO SLOWLY DRIP. HOWEVER, OIL WAS CHECKED AND STILL FULL. I REPLACED THE REAR SEAL, BUT OIL LIGHT CONTINUED FLASHING ON AND OFF. THERE WAS METALLIC DEBRIS FOUND INSIDE THE OIL. COME TO FIND OUT THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11312241
29,792 miles · Feb 26, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOWED TO MILLER HYUNDAI LOCATED AT (4455 VESTAL PKWY E, VESTAL, NY 13850) WHERE UNKNOWN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOWED TO MILLER HYUNDAI LOCATED AT (4455 VESTAL PKWY E, VESTAL, NY 13850) WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PROVIDED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED MINIMAL MONETARY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,792.
NHTSA ODI #11311683
14,000 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Seat BeltsSteering
1. STEERING= STICKING STEERING AND PROBLEMS KEEPING CAR STRAIGHT. DRIVING 2. NO WARNING CHIME FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #11309720
31,000 miles · Feb 16, 2020
Power Train
GO THROUGH CAR WASH MUST HAVE UNDER BODY SPRAYED TYPE OF CAR WASH . I LEAVE P1326 CODE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE ALREADY HAD WIRE HARNESS REPLACED BY DEALER. DIDN'T CORRELATE CAR WASH UNTIL I RECALLED GETTING SAME ONE FIRST DAY IT OCCURRED WHEN I BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR. KNOCK SENSOR HARNESS WHEN I CLEAR CODE GOES AWAY. LOT…
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GO THROUGH CAR WASH MUST HAVE UNDER BODY SPRAYED TYPE OF CAR WASH . I LEAVE P1326 CODE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE ALREADY HAD WIRE HARNESS REPLACED BY DEALER. DIDN'T CORRELATE CAR WASH UNTIL I RECALLED GETTING SAME ONE FIRST DAY IT OCCURRED WHEN I BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR. KNOCK SENSOR HARNESS WHEN I CLEAR CODE GOES AWAY. LOTS OF PEOPLE SEEING IT HAPPEN DRIVING IN RAIN VERY DANGEROUS REDUCTION IN SPEED TAKES FOREVER TO ACCELERATE WHEN HITS NEW GEAR DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11309453
87,000 miles · Feb 15, 2020
Power Train
MY 2018 HYUNDAI SANTE FE WAS PURCHASE 'CERTIFIED' USED FROM PUENTE HILLS HYUNDAI IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. ABOUT A YEAR INTO OWNING MY CAR IT BEGAN TO JERK AND FELT LIKE I WENT OVER A HARD BUMP WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND THEN BEGAN DOING IT WHILE I WOULD DRIVE UP HILLS. PUENTE HILLS HYUNDAI INFORMED ME THERE WAS A REC…
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MY 2018 HYUNDAI SANTE FE WAS PURCHASE 'CERTIFIED' USED FROM PUENTE HILLS HYUNDAI IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. ABOUT A YEAR INTO OWNING MY CAR IT BEGAN TO JERK AND FELT LIKE I WENT OVER A HARD BUMP WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND THEN BEGAN DOING IT WHILE I WOULD DRIVE UP HILLS. PUENTE HILLS HYUNDAI INFORMED ME THERE WAS A RECALL AND THAT THE RECALL WOULD 'SOLVE' THE ISSUE. AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK, A FEW WEEKS LATER IT STARTED AGAIN. BUT HAPPENED LESS OFTEN THEN BEFORE. I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THAT PUENTE HILLS HYUNDAI WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE JERKING AND WOULD CALL THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY TO HAVE THEM COME CONFIRM THE ISSUE. WHEN THE WARRANTY COMPANY FINALLY CAME OUT, THEY UNSUCCESSFULLY RECREATING THE JERKING SOUND AND TOLD HYUNDAI MY CAR IS 'SAFE' TO DRIVE AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. HYUNDAI TRIED TO TELL ME TO TAKE THE CAR BACK SINCE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE ISSUE SINCE THE WARRANTY COMPANY SAID IT WAS 'SAFE'. I REFUSED TO TAKE IT BACK DUE MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY UNBORN CHILD AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD KEEP IT AGAIN TO SEE IF THEY CAN RECREATE THE JERKING AND THEN CONTACT HYUNDAI DIRECTLY TO SEE IF THEY'LL COME CHECK IT OUT. BUT WASN'T GUARANTEED THAT THEY WOULD FIX AND OR BE ABLE TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND SEEN THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE OWNING THIS SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND HAVE COMPLAINED TO YOU GUYS AND WAS HOPING THAT MY COMPLAINT WILL BE HONORED MORE THAN IT HAS BEEN AT THIS DEALERSHIP. THE JERKING MOTION HAPPENED WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, GOING UP HILL, OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING STOP AND MOVING BACK INTO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11309304
31,000 miles · Feb 2, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
ON THE INTERSTATE, PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES. RPM WENT UP TO 5000 BUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO SPORTS MODE AND DOWNSHIFTING AND UPSHIFTING MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. SPEED REMAINED THE SAME, ENGINE ROARED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I PULLED OF…
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ON THE INTERSTATE, PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES. RPM WENT UP TO 5000 BUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO SPORTS MODE AND DOWNSHIFTING AND UPSHIFTING MADE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. SPEED REMAINED THE SAME, ENGINE ROARED AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE, CUT OFF THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, RETURNED TO THE INTERSTATE AND COULD ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN 2017 AND 2018 BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. IN 2018, TAKEN TO PEARSON HYUNDAI AND COULD NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE NO ERROR CODES. AFTER A DANGEROUS, IDENTICAL INCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE IN MAY 2019, TAKEN TO PEARSON HYUNDAI. THEY PERFORMED A TCU AND ECU SOFTWARE UPDATE MAY 21, 2019. THIS LATEST INCIDENT IS A REPEAT OF THE MAY 2019 PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM AND UNPREDICTABLE BUT OCCURS ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND STREET SPEEDS. THE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE ALSO OWN A 2016 SANTA FE SPORT TURBO AWD THAT HAS NOT HAD ANY OF THESE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. CHANGES WERE MADE IN THE 2017 MODEL YEAR TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION THAT ARE IMPACTING ACCELERATION.
NHTSA ODI #11306589
71,000 miles · Jan 31, 2020
EnginePower Train
THERE HAS BEEN SOME ENGINE NOISE FOR 2 MONTHS OR SO. . I THEN HAD AN OIL LEAK AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THE ENGINE NOISE WAS FROM CRANKSHAFT AND MAYBE A BEARING INSIDE. I HAVE 74, 000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND HAVE A 10 YEAR 125000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WAS AT THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY GAVE ME THE NEWS ABOUT MAYBE CRANKSHAFT BEARI…
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THERE HAS BEEN SOME ENGINE NOISE FOR 2 MONTHS OR SO. . I THEN HAD AN OIL LEAK AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THE ENGINE NOISE WAS FROM CRANKSHAFT AND MAYBE A BEARING INSIDE. I HAVE 74, 000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND HAVE A 10 YEAR 125000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WAS AT THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY GAVE ME THE NEWS ABOUT MAYBE CRANKSHAFT BEARING. THE HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY HAS A RECALL ON YOUR SITE ABOUT 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAVING DEFECT IN A PIN IN THE CRANKSHAFT THAT WEARS THE BEARING. THIS SEEMS LIKE EXACTLY WHAT DEALER IS TELLING ME. MY QUESTION IS , THE RECALL SAYS THAT HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY RECALLED 420 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE'S THAT WERE PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 26 2017 AND FEBRUARY 13 2017. MY SANTA FE WAS ACTUALLY PRODUCED ON JANUARY 14 2017, WHICH IS ONLY 12 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE OFFICIAL RECALL PRODUCTION DATE OF JANUARY 26. HOW DOES HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY KNOW THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PRODUCED WITH THIS FAULTY PIN IN THE CRANKSHAFT THAT CAUSES BEARING FAILURE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS WEBSITE AND I HOPE SOMEONE CAN ENLIGHTEN ME AS TO WHAT I MAY BE ABLE TO DO RIGHT NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11306402
30,000 miles · Jan 28, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE I HEARD A POP AND LOOKED AT MY REARVIEW MIRROR, MY REAR WINDOW HAD EXPLODED OUT. NOTHING WAS NEAR TO HIT IT FROM INSIDE.
NHTSA ODI #11302639
Official recalls
6Feb 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.
Sep 20, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.
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.
Mar 6, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 159.
Nov 21, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Trailer Hitches
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Electrical System:wiring
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Mar 10, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.
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
3DP24001 · 3.3L Engine Loss Of Motive Power (lomp)
Opened Feb 8, 2024 · Closed May 16, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 2, 2024, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engines. The petition cites allegations of a loss of motive power, often resulting in an engine seizure. The stall is preceded by a knocking sound, decreased performance and no warning lights. An analysis of the subject vehicle population was undertaken using complaints submitted to ODI along with manufacturer data. It was determined that the frequency of events is low for the subject population, while those that specifically report a loss of motive power event have a high mileage at the time of incident. The 2017 Santa Fe is equipped with a service interval reminder for the consumer that must be set by the consumer themselves or at a dealership. A Technical Service Bulletin (19-EM-002H) instructs the dealership to set the maintenance reminder at the completion of routine maintenance service or anytime a repair is performed that requires new engine oil. This maintenance reminder will help reinforce the need for proper oil maintenance intervals. Additionally, the Santa Fe vehicles with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines will be added to Hyundai’s existing Technical Service Bulletin (23-EM-007H) related to combustion chamber cleaning. These actions will help limit negative consumer incidents related to loss of motive power. Lastly, Hyundai has extended the limited engine warranty for MY 2013-2019 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines included in the Petition. The updated coverage is 15 years, or 150,000 miles and details are contained in Technical Service Bulletin 24-EM-003H. In view of the service interval reminder, combustion chamber cleaning, and extended warranty actions being taken by Hyundai, ODI is denying this Defect Petition. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the report cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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.
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