NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
161 reports150,000 miles · Sep 12, 2025
Engine
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. In addition, while attempting to drive, the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The check engine w…
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The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a knocking sound coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. In addition, while attempting to drive, the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a blown piston and cylinder #2 failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, there was black smoke coming from under the hood, with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #11686852
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2025
Engine
I just had an Oil change twice on this car it burns oil like crazy..mine you only had car for5 months
NHTSA ODI #11684358
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2025
Engine
I took my car to the garage after purchase around 75,000 miles due to rattling noise 8n the front and the amount of oil that my car was requiring in between oil changes, did the oil consumption test it came back on the higher range but Hyundai offered no resolution
NHTSA ODI #11682438
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2025
Engine
Burning oil four quarts in between normal oil changes
NHTSA ODI #11679421
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2025
Engine
I am writing to file a formal complaint against Hyundai Motor America and the Freehold Hyundai dealership located in New Jersey, regarding the ongoing engine oil consumption issues in my Hyundai Sonata. I purchased a 2019 Hyundai Sonata and its now 90,000 miles, I began noticing extreme oil loss, far more than a quart per thous…
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I am writing to file a formal complaint against Hyundai Motor America and the Freehold Hyundai dealership located in New Jersey, regarding the ongoing engine oil consumption issues in my Hyundai Sonata. I purchased a 2019 Hyundai Sonata and its now 90,000 miles, I began noticing extreme oil loss, far more than a quart per thousand miles, with no visible leaks, no smoke, and no warning lights. I brought the vehicle to Freehold Hyundai for an evaluation, and they performed an oil consumption test, confirming the issue. They submitted a goodwill repair request to Hyundai Corporate, which was denied solely on the basis that I am the second owner, and the powertrain warranty does not transfer. The dealership offered a $200 PCV valve replacement (a part that costs $6–$20), but even their staff said it likely won’t resolve the issue. Their proposed solution is a full engine replacement costing $8,000 or more, which I cannot afford. I believe this is part of a broader manufacturing defect, and Hyundai should take accountability for the engine failure, especially considering similar complaints from Sonata and Elantra owners nationwide. TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) have been issued on related issues. A car engine should not fail before 100,000 miles under normal use, regardless of ownership transfer. This issue has been the subject of TSB 20-01-004H, which addresses excessive oil consumption due to piston ring Hyundai’s refusal to provide any real assistance or remedy — and the dismissive conduct by dealership management — has left me feeling discriminated against, frustrated, and financially trapped. I request the BBB’s help in facilitating a fair resolution, either through: A warranty repair or subsidized engine repair Coverage under goodwill or defect-related remedy Reimbursement or alternative assistance Please find all supporting documentation attached, including my Hyundai case number dealer correspondence, and oil test results.
NHTSA ODI #11679116
81,000 miles · Aug 4, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that within the 4-5 months of vehicle ownership, the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that oil had been added to the vehicle approximately 8-9 times and an oil change had been completed twice. The contact stated while driving at various s…
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The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that within the 4-5 months of vehicle ownership, the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that oil had been added to the vehicle approximately 8-9 times and an oil change had been completed twice. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
NHTSA ODI #11678150
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2025
Engine
Car drinks oil and doesn’t make it to the next oil change.
NHTSA ODI #11676945
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2025
Engine
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding excessive engine oil consumption in my 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The vehicle, with approximately 90,000 miles, experienced a complete loss of engine oil without any visible leaks. The low oil warning light appeared intermittently and ultimately revealed the oil level had dropped to zero…
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I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding excessive engine oil consumption in my 2019 Hyundai Sonata. The vehicle, with approximately 90,000 miles, experienced a complete loss of engine oil without any visible leaks. The low oil warning light appeared intermittently and ultimately revealed the oil level had dropped to zero, posing a severe risk of engine seizure and potential accident. This issue appears to be consistent with known problems related to the 2.4L GDI engines used in Hyundai vehicles from this period. Hyundai has issued TSB 20-01-002H, acknowledging excessive oil consumption in certain models. Yet, many affected vehicles, including mine, may fall outside warranty despite being within a reasonable usage period. I am requesting that NHTSA review the extent of this issue and consider whether a formal investigation, recall, or manufacturer enforcement action is appropriate. This engine defect presents a clear safety hazard, especially if failure occurs during highway driving. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
NHTSA ODI #11670699
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Is anything being done about the known oil consumption issues with the 2019 Sonatas? My daughter bought the car used -- it currently has 70,000 -- but Hyundai won't do anything because she is the second owner and those cars don't get 100,000 protection, they only get 60,000. It just doesn't seem right.
NHTSA ODI #11669790
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Car has 39,495 miles. First owner of vehicle. Have advised dealership since 2024 that there was a oil issue as i have only went to them for oil changes. I advised that as they can see the car is barely driven and the oil is disappearing. They claimed nothing was wrong and made me pay for a oil change again. Come this year, I adv…
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Car has 39,495 miles. First owner of vehicle. Have advised dealership since 2024 that there was a oil issue as i have only went to them for oil changes. I advised that as they can see the car is barely driven and the oil is disappearing. They claimed nothing was wrong and made me pay for a oil change again. Come this year, I advise again there is a issue, they tried to have me pay for a oil change again and I advised something else needs done. They argued I was not the first owner and the car was not in warranty however I bought the car from their lot and I am the original owner. Then they stated I had to pay for another oil change for the oil consumption. Then they claimed they would just do the oil consumption and then to drive 1,000 miles and bring it back. After the oil consumption engine light is on. I drove 1,000 miles, brought it back and the engine failed the test. The dealership changed the engine. 5 days later engine light is on, car is stalling and brake locked up, then car would not start and was smoking under the hood. Car was then towed to the dealership. They claimed nothing is wrong and they reset the code for the engine light to go away. They stated evap code was on but was not persistent so it's fine. Few days later engine light comes on again and once the car has been running, you shut it off go to start it again it won't start unless you have it sit for a while. I Take it back to the dealership they point next to the engine saying a purge valve, but the wants money for a diagnostic. They do the diagnostic and still provide maybes, as they claim the filler neck is rusted and corrosion. I take the car to another place who states the filler neck is fine.
NHTSA ODI #11669347
NHTSA investigations
2DP22003 · 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.
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.