NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
226 reports76,000 miles · Sep 24, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. A few days later the contact was driving to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic when the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact was able to get the vehicle to resta…
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The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. A few days later the contact was driving to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic when the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact was able to get the vehicle to restart and get the vehicle slowly into a neighborhood where the vehicle stalled again. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
NHTSA ODI #11434245
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2021
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
Twice in the last nine months (roughly December 14, 2020 at 67,000 miles & 9/7/21 at 84,300 miles) I have been left stranded on the side of the highway due to what two different Hyundai dealerships call "complete engine failure", which requires the replacement of the entire engine. Ultimately, when I asked what a "complete engin…
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Twice in the last nine months (roughly December 14, 2020 at 67,000 miles & 9/7/21 at 84,300 miles) I have been left stranded on the side of the highway due to what two different Hyundai dealerships call "complete engine failure", which requires the replacement of the entire engine. Ultimately, when I asked what a "complete engine failure" entailed, the dealerships both told me there were metal flakes throughout my engine and that the engine had to be replaced. Both times the symptoms were as follows: loss of acceleration and a horrible ticking noise. The gas pedal is pushed to the floor and the car will not move forward. "Pop" or "Knock" and the engine starts smoking. No check engine light. No check oil pressure light. This is all within about 2 minutes. Moving from 65mph to 0 in a matter of 90 seconds without braking, when you have a semi truck behind you is terrifying. You put your hazards on immediately, pull over as soon as possible, and pray that nobody hits you. You try to stop and your brakes don't seem to be doing their job but you are finally able to stop. Once you've pulled over and the car stops smoking, you pop the hood. Immediately you notice the dipstick for the oil is about halfway out of the engine and oil has exploded everywhere under the hood. I purchased the car 14 months ago and so far, four of those months it has been undriveable due to complete engine failure, requiring replacement and fighting with Hyundai to do the right thing and repair it, which they refuse to do. Even when there is an active campaign (Campaign 966) to update the software to trigger a warning light. The campaign was issued 3/30/21 & I just received notification via first class presorted mail to have the software updated on 9/11/21. They say they won't make the repairs because it is out of warranty. I call lies. This is a direct result of failing to notify me in a timely manner to get the software update that would have at least supposedly triggered a warning light.
NHTSA ODI #11434166
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2021
Engine
My car Tucson is 2015 model. Since early 2018, RPM has risen while driving, cars have been shaken, and engine check lights have continued to come in. When I went to the car repair shop and checked, my car said it was an engine piston defect. And engine oil also disappears 500 to 1,000 miles after replenishment. So I have to make…
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My car Tucson is 2015 model. Since early 2018, RPM has risen while driving, cars have been shaken, and engine check lights have continued to come in. When I went to the car repair shop and checked, my car said it was an engine piston defect. And engine oil also disappears 500 to 1,000 miles after replenishment. So I have to make up for it regularly. I'm very nervous about the car, so I have to turn on the engine before departure and leave after 5 minutes, and I have a lot of inconvenience due to this and that problems. I want to know more about what my car is like and I desperately need your help.
NHTSA ODI #11433124
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2021
Engine
On April 16, 2021 my husband was driving our 2015 Hyundai Tucson home from work at 10:30pm. Upon entering Interstate 77 S the Tucson suddenly came to a complete stop. He was able to get it off the side of the interstate. There were no dash lights that came on or noises to give warning this was about to happen. We had not had any…
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On April 16, 2021 my husband was driving our 2015 Hyundai Tucson home from work at 10:30pm. Upon entering Interstate 77 S the Tucson suddenly came to a complete stop. He was able to get it off the side of the interstate. There were no dash lights that came on or noises to give warning this was about to happen. We had not had any issues with the vehicle till then. We had the Tucson towed to the car lot where we had purchased it on 12.26.2020. This could have caused accidents that could have harmed not only my husband but others traveling that interstate that night. Other than the mechanics that replaced the engine and an individual from Warranty Solutions no one else inspected the blown engine. We spent $6948.55 for a rebuilt engine and labor. We were without our vehicle from 04.16.2021 until 08.28.2021. Hyundai had a recall on engine components but for some reason ours was NOT included. I strongly feel it should have been. Not only did this failure put my husband in danger but also anyone traveling that interstate that night.
NHTSA ODI #11430917
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2021
Engine
At 40,000 miles with no warning engine stalled while driving Upon inspection by dealership Bore Scope Scarring on all cyl walls predominate on 1 and 2 rf suspects lower engine issue Oil change records were provided
NHTSA ODI #11427953
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other
Driving down the road and suddenly the check engine light came one and the engine started producing a knocking sound. I called several dealerships and had a couple of them run the VIN, which they said there are no recalls. However one dealer had mentioned that Hyundai vehicles, including Tucsons are starting to come in at astoni…
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Driving down the road and suddenly the check engine light came one and the engine started producing a knocking sound. I called several dealerships and had a couple of them run the VIN, which they said there are no recalls. However one dealer had mentioned that Hyundai vehicles, including Tucsons are starting to come in at astonishing rates with the same problem I have. I called Hyundai USA and they said there have been some known issues with engine failure describing the same problems mine has along with some known to have increased oil consumption, but they do not know why. They even said that sometimes the owners would not know of the increase in oil consumption and it could in turn cause engine fires. Any dealership I have contacted said due to the increase of vehicles brought in with the same problem, they are unable to even look at my vehicle for a month and to repair is possibly several months out.
NHTSA ODI #11426072
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2021
Engine
Engine failure. I changed car oil and filter every 3,000 miles. A strong noise came from the engine and Pep Boys mechanic say I needs oil. I changed oil ,drove one mile and the car stop.
NHTSA ODI #11425640
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2021
Engine
I purchased this vehicle after it had been leased. I purchased it with 48K miles in December 2018. I have maintained the vehicle, per the manufacturer's guidelines. In July 2021,at 69K miles, a high-pitched whirring sound came from engine when gas was applied. The noise did not occur when vehicle is in idle. The noise came sudde…
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I purchased this vehicle after it had been leased. I purchased it with 48K miles in December 2018. I have maintained the vehicle, per the manufacturer's guidelines. In July 2021,at 69K miles, a high-pitched whirring sound came from engine when gas was applied. The noise did not occur when vehicle is in idle. The noise came suddenly when I was accelerating getting on a highway (on ramp). I took to my trusted mechanic immediately and they haven't been able to diagnose the issue at this time. However, they found busted metal pieces in the pan and have ruled out more common issues, like serpentine belt, timing belts, and exhaust. My mechanic was so far into the engine trying to find the clearly broken part (or parts), that it will be more cost effective to just replace the engine. I contacted my local Hyundai dealership, and they ignored my emails (until this point). A safety concern is that the car could still be driven, even though there was clearly something wrong with the engine. There were no warning lights of any kind in the dash, before or after the engine sound came on. Also, a qualified mechanic could not find/replace the broken part, and Hyundai is ignoring my engine issue requests. I also contacted Hyundai USA and am waiting for a response. The vehicle's engine, if defective, is out of warranty because I am second owner. The second owner warranty only lasts to 60K miles.
NHTSA ODI #11425633
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2021
EnginePower Train
I was driving and there was a knocking noise from the engine and loss of power. I opened the hood and noticed a pulley on the belt that looked loose and had the car towed to the dealership. According to them they know this particular engine Theta model has been an issue for fires and engine failure with components breaking inter…
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I was driving and there was a knocking noise from the engine and loss of power. I opened the hood and noticed a pulley on the belt that looked loose and had the car towed to the dealership. According to them they know this particular engine Theta model has been an issue for fires and engine failure with components breaking internally but no recalls have been addressed for my VIN number even though there are hundreds of thousands of customers with the same issues and only some recalls have been made. Ultimately leaving the customer with the bill. This is a very dangerous situation and reading hundreds of comments on various sites and these incidents happening in other countries as well with this engine, there should be a huge investigation and something being done about this.
NHTSA ODI #11423547
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2021
Engine
Engine seized, yes available for inspection, no prior warning lamps, messages or symptoms, car just stopped. Fortunately this happened on a backroad and not on interstate 95 between home and school. Manufacture said they would not help, seized engine determined by mechanic, no oil. Car maintained as recommended by manufacturer…
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Engine seized, yes available for inspection, no prior warning lamps, messages or symptoms, car just stopped. Fortunately this happened on a backroad and not on interstate 95 between home and school. Manufacture said they would not help, seized engine determined by mechanic, no oil. Car maintained as recommended by manufacturer. I'm now finding out this is a common problem with this make and model, it burns oil and engines seize. Who allows cars to be on the road that seize up!!!
NHTSA ODI #11422294
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.