NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
92 reportsClear category filter31,000 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
30,700 miles · Jan 14, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
WHEN I DRIVE GOING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 40 TO 48 MPH ON ECO MODE OR ANY DRIVE MODE THE CAR JUMPS/ JERKS LIKE IT SHIFTS INTO A LOW GEAR AND THEN GOES BACK INTO A HIGH GEAR WITH NO HEAVY ACCELERATION. IF I HAVE IT ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 45MPH IT WILL KICK BACK AND FORTH OCCASIONALLY AS IF I WAS SLAMMING ON THE GAS PEDAL THEN SLIGHTLY O…
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WHEN I DRIVE GOING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 40 TO 48 MPH ON ECO MODE OR ANY DRIVE MODE THE CAR JUMPS/ JERKS LIKE IT SHIFTS INTO A LOW GEAR AND THEN GOES BACK INTO A HIGH GEAR WITH NO HEAVY ACCELERATION. IF I HAVE IT ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 45MPH IT WILL KICK BACK AND FORTH OCCASIONALLY AS IF I WAS SLAMMING ON THE GAS PEDAL THEN SLIGHTLY ON THE BREAK BUT QUICKLY.
NHTSA ODI #11299281
1,000 miles · Nov 16, 2019
Unknown Or Other
OIL IS VANISHING FROM THE VEHICLE. FOR EVERY 1000 MILES THERE IS A PINT OF OIL MISSING FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE HYUNDAI MUTIPLE TIMES. HYUNDAI CAN NOT FIND ANY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CONCERING BECUASE THE VEHICLE CAN BREAK DOWN ON A LONG ROAD TRIP WITHOUT CONSANT OIL CHECKS AND REFILLING DURING TH…
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OIL IS VANISHING FROM THE VEHICLE. FOR EVERY 1000 MILES THERE IS A PINT OF OIL MISSING FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE HYUNDAI MUTIPLE TIMES. HYUNDAI CAN NOT FIND ANY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CONCERING BECUASE THE VEHICLE CAN BREAK DOWN ON A LONG ROAD TRIP WITHOUT CONSANT OIL CHECKS AND REFILLING DURING THE TRIP. HYUNDAI HAS YET TO REPLACE THE MOTOR OR RESOLVE THE ISSUE. NO OIL LEAK LOCATED IT APPEARS THE OIL IS JUST GOING MISSING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11280469
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2019
Unknown Or Other
THERE IS A LEAK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COMING FROM UNKNOWN DEFECT. EVERY TIME IT RAINS, WATER DRIPS FROM UNDER THE DASH TO THE FLOOR CLOSE TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11278491
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
OVER ONE MONTH AGO, MY GPS VIEWER SHOWED A WRONG TIME. I RESET THE CLOCK AND EXITED THE FEATURE. THE CLOCK QUIT APPEARING ON THE SCREEN. AT FIRST I DIDN'T NOTICE IT. THEN WHEN I DID, I WASN'T ABLE TO ENTER THE PROGRAM TO SET THE CLOCK: IT WAS ALL DARK ON THE CHOICES. I READ BOTH MY MANUALS AND NOTHING IN THEM TALKED ABOUT THIS P…
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OVER ONE MONTH AGO, MY GPS VIEWER SHOWED A WRONG TIME. I RESET THE CLOCK AND EXITED THE FEATURE. THE CLOCK QUIT APPEARING ON THE SCREEN. AT FIRST I DIDN'T NOTICE IT. THEN WHEN I DID, I WASN'T ABLE TO ENTER THE PROGRAM TO SET THE CLOCK: IT WAS ALL DARK ON THE CHOICES. I READ BOTH MY MANUALS AND NOTHING IN THEM TALKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS READ THE MANUAL AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY INFORMATION TO FIX THIS EITHER. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS. THE SECOND TIME I CAME TO THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED THE WHOLE HEAD UNIT AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ORDER. IT'S ABOUT 4-5 WEEKS NOW AND I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. I CALLED LAST WEEK AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO ETA FOR IT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE.
NHTSA ODI #11267569
38,000 miles · Oct 5, 2019
Unknown Or Other
OVER ONE MONTH AGO, MY GPS VIEWER SHOWED A WRONG TIME. I RESET THE CLOCK AND EXITED THE FEATURE. THE CLOCK QUIT APPEARING ON THE SCREEN. AT FIRST I DIDN'T NOTICE IT. THEN WHEN I DID, I WASN'T ABLE TO ENTER THE PROGRAM TO SET THE CLOCK: IT WAS ALL DARK ON THE CHOICES. I READ BOTH MY MANUALS AND NOTHING IN THEM TALKED ABOUT …
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OVER ONE MONTH AGO, MY GPS VIEWER SHOWED A WRONG TIME. I RESET THE CLOCK AND EXITED THE FEATURE. THE CLOCK QUIT APPEARING ON THE SCREEN. AT FIRST I DIDN'T NOTICE IT. THEN WHEN I DID, I WASN'T ABLE TO ENTER THE PROGRAM TO SET THE CLOCK: IT WAS ALL DARK ON THE CHOICES. I READ BOTH MY MANUALS AND NOTHING IN THEM TALKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS READ THE MANUAL AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY INFORMATION TO FIX THIS EITHER. WHEN I WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS AFFECTING LOTS OF VEHICLES AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A COUPLE OF THINGS THEY COULD DO TO ATTEMPT TO FIX IT. SOMETIMES IT WORKED AND SOMETIMES IT DIDN'T. MINE DIDN'T. NO ONE CONTACTED ME TO ALERT ME TO THE PROBLEM (SAID MAYBE A CELL TOWER ISSUE WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALERS). I HAVE TO ACCESS MY FITBIT TO GET THE TIME WHICH REQUIRES SQUEEZING THE SIDES OF IT AND SOMETIMES SCROLLING IT. NOT SUPPOSE TO USE YOUR CELL PHONE FOR SAFETY, BUT MESSING WITH MY FITBIT UNDER MY JACKET IS JUST AS BAD. WHY WEREN'T WE NOTIFIED. GOOGLE SHOWS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW. I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN AND MAY NOT BE USING CORRECT TERMS FOR THE GPS STUFF. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOUR EYES AREN'T ON THE ROAD AS THEY SHOULD BE AND MESSING WITH YOUR FITBIT. YES I CAN INVEST IN A WATCH AGAIN, BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DO THIS? DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM DRIVING OR STATIONARY, IT DOESN'T WORK!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #11266501
40,000 miles · Sep 24, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND STATED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED AROUND THE BATTERY AREA. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A NEW BATTER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND STATED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED AROUND THE BATTERY AREA. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED A WEEK PRIOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #11257848
53,000 miles · Sep 4, 2019
Unknown Or Other
WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE EITHER BRAKES OR BACKFIRES. THE JERKING MOTION IS SO HARD THAT I THOUGHT I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE CAR CONTINUES TO DRIVE BUT ACCELERATION RATE SLOWS DRASTICALLY CAUSING NEAR MISSES AS WELL. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND DOWNHILL SHIFTING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND B…
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WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE EITHER BRAKES OR BACKFIRES. THE JERKING MOTION IS SO HARD THAT I THOUGHT I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THE CAR CONTINUES TO DRIVE BUT ACCELERATION RATE SLOWS DRASTICALLY CAUSING NEAR MISSES AS WELL. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND DOWNHILL SHIFTING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON. SO FAR THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN BOTH NORMAL AND ECONOMY DRIVE MODES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE/HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11253205
50,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-80 ON SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2019, AT 2:33 PM THE FRONT PORTION OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH THE SOUND OF A 12 GAUGE SHOTGUN. THE GLASS WENT FLYING AND CAME INTO THE VEHICLE. NO PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE SUN ROOF AND THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS 64 DEGREES. WE WERE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11218117
30,500 miles · Feb 7, 2018
Unknown Or Other
I WAS PULLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND COMING UP TO SPEED, GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, LIKE A 'CRACK' OR A 'BOOM.' IT QUICKLY BECAME CLEAR THAT MY GLASS SUNROOF HAD BURST AND THERE WERE GLASS PIECES RAINING DOWN ON THE SUN SCREEN, WHICH THANKFULLY HAD BEEN CLOSED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.
NHTSA ODI #11071540
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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