NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
118 reportsClear category filter30,000 miles · Mar 20, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control
RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES TO HAVE THE ENGINE CONTROL SOFTWARE UPDATED WITH AN ANTI-KNOCK PREVENTION FEATURE. WE UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AT THE DEALER BEFORE THE SECOND LETTER FROM HYUNDAI WHICH NOTIFIED US THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL LIMIT ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND VEHICLE SPEED IF ACTUATED, AND THAT WE SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REP…
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RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES TO HAVE THE ENGINE CONTROL SOFTWARE UPDATED WITH AN ANTI-KNOCK PREVENTION FEATURE. WE UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AT THE DEALER BEFORE THE SECOND LETTER FROM HYUNDAI WHICH NOTIFIED US THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL LIMIT ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND VEHICLE SPEED IF ACTUATED, AND THAT WE SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR SHOULD THIS OCCUR. THIS IS PERCEIVED TO BE A SALES GIMMICK FOR HYUNDAI THAT IS UNAVOIDABLE IF ACTUATED. THE HYUNDAI 1-800 HELP LINE COULD NOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS REGARDING AN OPTION TO REMOVE THE SOFTWARE TO AVOID THIS EVENT, OR THE COST TO MAKE THE MANDATED REPAIRS WHEN THEY OCCUR. THEY ALSO PROMISED A 120,000 WARRANTY UPDATE NOTIFICATION THAT WAS NEVER SENT TO US PROMISED 3-5 DAYS AFTER INSTALLATION. WE PERCEIVE THE SOFTWARE INSTALLATION A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COMMANDS YOUR VEHICLE INTO A LIMITING STATE. THE RECALL IS LABELLED: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN NUMBER 953. 2015 HYUNDAI TIUCSON, A CAR WE OTHERWISE LOVE, AND A 3RD HYUNDAI IN 7 YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11190248
69,700 miles · Mar 12, 2019
Engine
THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE IS THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS AT ALL. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, NO OIL LIGHTS, OR ANY SENSORS THAT POPPED UP FOR THAT ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH WITH THIS ENGINE. I HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDEN…
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THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE IS THAT THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS AT ALL. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, NO OIL LIGHTS, OR ANY SENSORS THAT POPPED UP FOR THAT ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH WITH THIS ENGINE. I HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED HIM WITH A ENGINE PROBLEM AND SAID THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD IT THEN TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR A WEEK WITHOUT GIVING ME ANY INFORMATION ON WHAT IS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. I CANNOT RECEIVE A LOANER CAR BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND MY AFTERMARKET WARRANTY IS STILL TRYING TO INVESTIGATE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND NO ONE ELSE IS HELPING ME. I'VE BEEN OUT OF WORK NOW FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS WITH NO VEHICLE NO EXPLANATION, BUT YET THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET ABOUT THE ENGINE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS NO ENGINE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE FOR THIS VEHICLE PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE KNOWN ISSUE. THEY ARE TELLING ME THEY WILL HAVE TO ORDER IT PIECE BY PIECE IF THE WARRANTY WILL COVER IT. I PERSONALLY THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN INSPECTION ON THESE ENGINES AND A RECALL DONE BECAUSE WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS AT THE MARKET. I HAVE READ OVER 30 DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE JUST DYING AND SEIZING WHILE DRIVING THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11186268
60,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #11183459
63,000 miles · Feb 16, 2019
Engine
WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, OUR OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC HE SAID THE ISSUE WAS ACTUALLY THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. MECHANIC TOWED IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11180481
60,700 miles · Feb 6, 2019
Engine
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OF ERROR, OR ANY SENSOR READING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. I SLOWED DOWN A BIT, AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE ENGINE THIS SEIZED COMPLETELY AND DIED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO …
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OF ERROR, OR ANY SENSOR READING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. I SLOWED DOWN A BIT, AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE ENGINE THIS SEIZED COMPLETELY AND DIED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR HELP, BUT THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11174783
50,000 miles · Jan 14, 2019
EngineExterior Lighting
DRIVING VEHICLE WHERE FELT HESITATION ACCELERATING.THEN HEARD A BANGING NOISE WHERE ENGINE HAD SEIZED.THIS IS FIRST NEW CAR OWNED WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT.THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN THROUGH HYUNDAI AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT.MY ADVICE STAY AWAY
NHTSA ODI #11169897
67,000 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BEFORE IT BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE HYUNDAI TOWSON (801 YORK RD, TOWSON, MD 21204, 877-387-5495) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BEFORE IT BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE HYUNDAI TOWSON (801 YORK RD, TOWSON, MD 21204, 877-387-5495) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CLAIM NUMBER: 11286287. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
NHTSA ODI #11162067
16,700 miles · Dec 7, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, IN THE "ECO" MODE. I TURNED LEFT, AND THE VEHICLE PAUSED FORWARD MOTION, UNTIL I PUMPED THE GAS PEDAL 2 OR 3 TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEH. IN 2016, WITH 16,000 + OR - MILES ON THE ODO. WHEN I TURN OFF THE "ECO" MODE, THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS, THOUGH NOT AS OFTEN. …
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I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, IN THE "ECO" MODE. I TURNED LEFT, AND THE VEHICLE PAUSED FORWARD MOTION, UNTIL I PUMPED THE GAS PEDAL 2 OR 3 TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEH. IN 2016, WITH 16,000 + OR - MILES ON THE ODO. WHEN I TURN OFF THE "ECO" MODE, THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS, THOUGH NOT AS OFTEN. I LEFT THE CAR AT VANDERGRIFF HYUNDAI FOR A DAY WITH N.P.F.
NHTSA ODI #11156905
70,000 miles · Nov 14, 2018
Engine
2015 TUCSON ENGINE BLEW AFTER ONLY 70,000 MILES. IT DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF FAILURE BUT AS I WAS DRIVING THE ENGINE MADE A BANG NOISE AND JUST STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AFTER I DID SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TUCSON TO HAVE ENGINE FAILURE AFTER 70,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11151597
45,500 miles · Nov 3, 2018
Engine
ENTIRE MUFFLER PIPES AND CATALATER CONVERTER FELL OFF CAR IN ONE PIECE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND PULLED BUMPER OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHEN IT CAME DOWN. THANKFULLY WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. HEARD A LOUD BANG AND EMEDIATLY FELT AND HEARD A CHANGE IN ENGINE. IT WAS TERRIFYIN…
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ENTIRE MUFFLER PIPES AND CATALATER CONVERTER FELL OFF CAR IN ONE PIECE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND PULLED BUMPER OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHEN IT CAME DOWN. THANKFULLY WAS ONLY TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. HEARD A LOUD BANG AND EMEDIATLY FELT AND HEARD A CHANGE IN ENGINE. IT WAS TERRIFYING
NHTSA ODI #11145076
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.
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