NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
110 reportsClear category filter122,000 miles · Mar 12, 2021
EngineInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STALLED CAUSING THE DRIVERS HEAD TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. DURING THE INCIDENT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STALLED CAUSING THE DRIVERS HEAD TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. DURING THE INCIDENT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER GARVEY HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 257 DIX AVE #1, QUEENSBURY, NY 12804 WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. *DT*DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11402559
106,000 miles · Jan 17, 2021
Engine
WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY AT AROUND 60MPH WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IN THE CAR THE CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED TO 40MPH AND THE ENDING STARTED TO CLICK. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND US AND WE WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE THAT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF.
NHTSA ODI #11388574
57,200 miles · Jan 17, 2021
Engine
I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY NIGHT AND WAS ALMOST HOME AND LOST POWER . IT SPUTTERED AND WHEN I PULLED INTO PARKING LOT IT STARTED TO KNOCK. I TURNED OFF ENGINE.CHECKED THE NEXT DAY AND I HAD NO OIL AND NEVER GOT ANY WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASH THE DRIVE WAS AN EXPRESSWAY RIDE 65 MPH. I JUST CHECKED THE OIL 1 WEEK BEFORE T…
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I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY NIGHT AND WAS ALMOST HOME AND LOST POWER . IT SPUTTERED AND WHEN I PULLED INTO PARKING LOT IT STARTED TO KNOCK. I TURNED OFF ENGINE.CHECKED THE NEXT DAY AND I HAD NO OIL AND NEVER GOT ANY WARNING SIGNS ON THE DASH THE DRIVE WAS AN EXPRESSWAY RIDE 65 MPH. I JUST CHECKED THE OIL 1 WEEK BEFORE THIS HAPPEN NOT REALLY HAPPY WITH WHAT HAPPENED AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS COMPLAINT HAPPENS ALOT AND I HOPE THINGS TURN OUT GOOD
NHTSA ODI #11388525
78,410 miles · Oct 15, 2020
EnginePower Train
ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AS MY DAUGHTER LEFT HIGHWAY FOR HER EXIT . WHEN HYUNDAI ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE ENGINE, DISCOVERED 4WD TRANSFER CASE SEIZED INTO TRANSMISSION PREVENTING REMOVAL OF ENGINE, REPLACED ENGINE ,TRANSMISSION, AND TRANSFER CASE. THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE IN THE SANTA FE , AND SONATA WH…
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ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AS MY DAUGHTER LEFT HIGHWAY FOR HER EXIT . WHEN HYUNDAI ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE ENGINE, DISCOVERED 4WD TRANSFER CASE SEIZED INTO TRANSMISSION PREVENTING REMOVAL OF ENGINE, REPLACED ENGINE ,TRANSMISSION, AND TRANSFER CASE. THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE IN THE SANTA FE , AND SONATA WHICH WAS RECALLED. HYUNDAI IS STILL REFUSING TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO THE TUCSON TOO. SO OWNERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO THE EXTENSION ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. DUE TO THEM NOT WANTING ANYBODY TO KNOW ABOUT THIS DEFECT IN THE MOTORS THAT THE TUCSON SHARE WITH THEIR OTHER MODELS. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD OF STEPPED UP AND MADE HYUNDAI HONOR THE EXTENSION TO INCLUDE THE TUCSON MODEL TOO. FOR ALL TUCSON OWNERS ARE LEFT IN THE COLD WITH A VEHICLE WORTH [XXX] SINCE THEY ARE STILL HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS 2.4L MOTOR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11364588
65,880 miles · Sep 18, 2020
Engine
MY FIANC WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS TO STALL. IT PUT HIM IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS HE HAS JUST CROSSED OVER A BRIDGE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER THIS HAPPENED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE ENGINE STARTS MAKING KNOCKING NOISE. WE HA…
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MY FIANC WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS TO STALL. IT PUT HIM IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS HE HAS JUST CROSSED OVER A BRIDGE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A CAR ACCIDENT. AFTER THIS HAPPENED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON AND ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND THE ENGINE STARTS MAKING KNOCKING NOISE. WE HAVE KEPT UP WITH OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE, SO WHY THIS HAPPENED IS JUST UNEXPLAINABLE TO US. ALSO OUR CAR ONLY HAS 65,893 MILES ON IT. SO JUST HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? SO WE BROUGHT IT TO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, SOMETHING YOU DEFINITELY NEVER WANT TO HEAR.
NHTSA ODI #11355705
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other
2014 HYUNDAI TUSCON HAD ENGINE REPLACED & STILL BURNING OIL EMITTING BLUE SMOKE & KNOCKING. DEALERSHIP & HYUNDAI CORP HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED & HAVE YET TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11318312
44,400 miles · Jan 30, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE, VIBRATE AND RATTLE. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE TO SHIFT GEARS AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PHILPOTE HYUNDAI (1900 US HWY 69, NEDERLAND TX) W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE, VIBRATE AND RATTLE. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE TO SHIFT GEARS AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PHILPOTE HYUNDAI (1900 US HWY 69, NEDERLAND TX) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER CASE [XXX)]WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,400. *LN ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
NHTSA ODI #11303065
96,000 miles · Jan 21, 2020
Engine
I GOT MY 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON NEW, ON NOVEMBER 1,2019 AT 96K MILES, IT DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT! I HAD JUST EXITED THE 70 MPH HIGHWAY AND WAS ON THE SIDE STREET GOING 40 MPH. THIS ENGINE IS THE THETA 2 THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED IN MILLIONS OF OTHER VEHICLES FOR CATCHING ON FIRE AND/OR DYING. I HAD IT TOWED TO HYUNDAI AND THEY TOL…
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I GOT MY 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON NEW, ON NOVEMBER 1,2019 AT 96K MILES, IT DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT! I HAD JUST EXITED THE 70 MPH HIGHWAY AND WAS ON THE SIDE STREET GOING 40 MPH. THIS ENGINE IS THE THETA 2 THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED IN MILLIONS OF OTHER VEHICLES FOR CATCHING ON FIRE AND/OR DYING. I HAD IT TOWED TO HYUNDAI AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT IT WILL BE UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE HAVING METAL SHAVINGS ALL IN IT. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 2.5 MONTHS FOR MY CAR TO BE FIXED BECAUSE ALL OF THE PARTS THAT THEY NEED ARE BACK ORDERED. THEY HAVE NO ESTIMATED TIME OF COMPLETION FOR ME. I AM STUCK PAYING MY CAR PAYMENT ON THE CAR THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11300687
85,602 miles · Jan 21, 2020
Engine
AS I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEAR A STRANGE SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I LOOK AT THE DASH BUT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. I START MAKING MAY WAY TO THE RIGHT LANE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW. I LOOK AT THE DASH AGAIN AND THE LOW OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. I MAKE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR COM…
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AS I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEAR A STRANGE SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. I LOOK AT THE DASH BUT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. I START MAKING MAY WAY TO THE RIGHT LANE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW. I LOOK AT THE DASH AGAIN AND THE LOW OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE ON. I MAKE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STARTS RUNNING. SHORTLY AFTER, A TOW TRUCK TAKES THE CAR TO A NEARBY MECHANIC SHOP. THE NEXT DAY, THE MECHANIC TELLS THE HYUNDAI TUCSON THREW A ROD AND THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. THE MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE. I'VE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND IT IS UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS. THE 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON HAS ONLY 85,602 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11300681
81,200 miles · Nov 25, 2019
Engine
WHILE TRAVELING 67 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND ENGINE LOCKED UP. IT IS A 2014 WITH ONLY 81,000 MILES ON IT?
NHTSA ODI #11282217
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.