NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
111 reportsClear category filter78,800 miles · May 15, 2019
EnginePower Train
I AM TOLD I NEED TO HAVE MY ENGINE REPLACED. MY CAR HAD BEEN MAKING TICKING AND KNOCKING NOISES AS IF IT WAS STRUGGLING TO FUNCTION. THE DAY IT BROKE DOWN, IT WAS BEGINNING TO KNOCK EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD. I WAS AFRAID IT WAS GOING TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AS THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT STALLED A…
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I AM TOLD I NEED TO HAVE MY ENGINE REPLACED. MY CAR HAD BEEN MAKING TICKING AND KNOCKING NOISES AS IF IT WAS STRUGGLING TO FUNCTION. THE DAY IT BROKE DOWN, IT WAS BEGINNING TO KNOCK EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD. I WAS AFRAID IT WAS GOING TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AS THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT STALLED AGAIN AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION. THEN WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I HAD TO ASK FOR HELP TO PUSH MY CAR TO A SAFE AREA. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREETS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BELIEVING IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF ABOUT $8,000. IF I REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH THE SAME ENGINE, WHO'S TO SAY THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN? I BOUGHT THE HYUNDAI BECAUSE OF THE 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY KNOWING I'D BE PUTTING ON THE MILES FOR WORK. I DON'T EXPECT ENGINE FAILURE AT THE 78,800 MILES (I BOUGHT IT USED FROM ENTERPRISE CAR SALES WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT). THE SELLING POINT WAS THE 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT I EXPECTED TO HAVE. I LEARNED IT DOES NOT PASS TO THE SECOND OWNER. WHY NOT? HOW DOES THE DRIVER CHANGE THE APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING OF THE ENGINE?! AS I PRESSED ON WITH THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE, HE TOLD ME (AFTER CONSULTING WITH HIS SUPERVISOR) IT IS ONLY COVERED FOR A SECOND OWNER IF IT WAS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. I SAID IT WAS CPO AND THAT IS HOW ENTERPRISE MARKETED THEIR VEHICLES. HYUNDAI THEN SAID THE OWNERSHIP FOR THE WARRANTY IS UNDER ALAMO/ENTERPRISE, NOT ME. NEWS TO ME, BUT, AGAIN, WHY DOES IT MATTER IF THE ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE? THESE "NU" ENGINES HAVE ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED TO BE DEFECTIVE. WHAT ENGINE BITES THE DUST AT 78,800 MILES? MY CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY ALTHOUGH NOT BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE REPRESENTATIVE THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THE WARRANTY WOULD BE INVALID ANYWAY IF IT WAS NOT SERVICED BY HYUNDAI.
NHTSA ODI #11207660
67,000 miles · Apr 23, 2019
Engine
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I AM DRIVING STRAIGHT WITHOUT PUTTING ON BRAKES OR ACCELERATING. I CAN RESTART IT. AGAIN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE IT STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES AND AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND EFFECTIVE BRAKING. THIS IS A VER…
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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I AM DRIVING STRAIGHT WITHOUT PUTTING ON BRAKES OR ACCELERATING. I CAN RESTART IT. AGAIN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE IT STALLS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES AND AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND EFFECTIVE BRAKING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I NOTICED ONLINE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER ELANTRA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IS RELATED TO THE PISTONS.
NHTSA ODI #11203196
44,000 miles · Apr 11, 2019
EngineFire
WHILE DIVING MY 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT ON THE DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY I FELT THE ENGINE LOSE HORSEPOWER. I APPLIED THE GAS JUST TO SEE IF IT WAS THE CAR CHANGING GEARS, I HEARD THE ENGINE REV, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY DASHBOARD AND NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED TO BLINK FOLLO…
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WHILE DIVING MY 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT ON THE DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY I FELT THE ENGINE LOSE HORSEPOWER. I APPLIED THE GAS JUST TO SEE IF IT WAS THE CAR CHANGING GEARS, I HEARD THE ENGINE REV, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN. I LOOKED DOWN AT MY DASHBOARD AND NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED TO BLINK FOLLOWED BY MY OIL LIGHT. THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STOPPED BLINKED AND CONTINUED TO STAY ON FOLLOWED BY MY BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON. I TURNED MY HAZARDS LIGHTS ON AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STARTED TO SEE WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY VENTS AND QUICKLY FILLING UP THE CABIN. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKED AWAY. I DIALED DALLAS ROADSIDE SAFETY SERVICES AND WHILE SPEAKING TO THEIR DISPATCHER MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. I WATCHED MY CAR GET COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES BEFORE HELP ARRIVED.
NHTSA ODI #11195592
53,000 miles · Dec 9, 2018
Engine
WHEN I AM DRIVING AFTER ABOUT 30 MINS WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS I GET A WARNING LIGHT FOR THE BATTERY,OIL AND ENGINE. THE CAR TURNS OFF AND YOU JUST COAST AND IT STALLS.
NHTSA ODI #11157126
52,000 miles · Dec 7, 2018
Engine
THERE IS AN ENGINE KNOCK UPON COLD START. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND 3 TIMES HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA ODI #11156887
44,242 miles · Nov 9, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO POHANKA HYUNDAI (1770 RITCHIE STAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO POHANKA HYUNDAI (1770 RITCHIE STATION CT, WALKER MILL, MD 20743, 301-899-0480) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATION WOULD BE OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,242.
NHTSA ODI #11150313
30,000 miles · Jun 6, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
MY 17 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AFTER JUST COMPLETING A TURN, WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR BATTERY, ENGINE, AND OIL CAME ON, THE CAR SLOWED AND STOPPED RUNNING. SHE TRIED TO RESTART, NOTHING. 5 MINS LATER, A FRIENDS DAD STARTED IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. TOOK IT TO SERVICE PLACE AN…
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MY 17 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AFTER JUST COMPLETING A TURN, WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR BATTERY, ENGINE, AND OIL CAME ON, THE CAR SLOWED AND STOPPED RUNNING. SHE TRIED TO RESTART, NOTHING. 5 MINS LATER, A FRIENDS DAD STARTED IT WITH NO PROBLEMS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. TOOK IT TO SERVICE PLACE AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE IN HYUNDAI ELANTRA, WE WERE TOLD IT IS A "FLOODING" PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI IS LOOKING INTO. THIS SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL TO FIX. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR FOR HER AND SHE IS STUCK DRIVING THIS BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE THIS FALL. IMAGINE DRIVING A CAR THAT TURNS OFF AT ANYTIME.
NHTSA ODI #11100207
59,000 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine
WHEN CAR IS SLOWING AT INTERSECTION, CAR WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. ONCE CAR IS PUT IN PARK AND KEY IS TAKEN OUT, CAR STARTS UP IMMEDIATELY. HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 WEEKS. SEEMS LIKE I HAVE TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL TO GO EVEN SLIGHTLY FASTER.
NHTSA ODI #11084193
33,600 miles · Aug 18, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I DROVE SLOWLY THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR SUDDENLY SWERVED, LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT BASE OF A LIGHT POLE. THE CAR KEPT GRINDING INTO THE CEMENT BASE. I WAS HELPLESS TO STOP THE DESTRUCTION OF MY CAR. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS HAD MY CAR FOR ONE WE…
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I DROVE SLOWLY THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR SUDDENLY SWERVED, LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT BASE OF A LIGHT POLE. THE CAR KEPT GRINDING INTO THE CEMENT BASE. I WAS HELPLESS TO STOP THE DESTRUCTION OF MY CAR. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS HAD MY CAR FOR ONE WEEK BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. THE REPAIR SHOP IS AWAITING THE DECISION FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR IS OVER $10,000. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN THE CAR HAS TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND WOULD LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN A SAFE DRIVER FOR MANY YEARS AND HAD NEVER GOTTEN A TICKET NOR BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE. I HAVE READ REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR HYUNDAI CARS UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHING INTO PARKING GARAGE WALLS, OBJECTS, OR OTHER CARS. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THIS DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION OF THE HYUNDAI CAR BUT THE CAUSE NEEDS TO BE DETERMINED BEFORE SOMEONE IS BADLY INJURED OR KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #11016096
1,700 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Engine
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON THE FREEWAY AND ONCE ON A CITY STREET WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 1800 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR NUMEROUS TIMES. WHEN I PICK IT UP THEY SAY "ITS BEEN REPAIRED" BUT HOURS OR DAYS LATER THE SAME …
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ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON THE FREEWAY AND ONCE ON A CITY STREET WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 1800 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR NUMEROUS TIMES. WHEN I PICK IT UP THEY SAY "ITS BEEN REPAIRED" BUT HOURS OR DAYS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS. I DEMANDED THAT THEY VOID THE PURCHASE CONTRACT BUT HYUNDAI REFUSED. I HAD TO RETAIN AN ATTORNEY WHO RECENTLY FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST HYUNDAI REGARDING THIS MATTER (CASE # 15K14065).
NHTSA ODI #10806404
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.