2016 Hyundai Sonata Engine

While driving in normal traffic, the engine experienced a sudden and significant loss of power and went into a reduced-power “limp” mode. The check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stored an active P1326 diagnostic trouble code related to the engine/Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Because this occurred in live traffic, the sudden power loss created an unsafe situation that increased the risk of a collision, as the vehicle could not accelerate or keep pace with surrounding vehicles. This issue appears to be directly related to Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 22-EM-001H-1, which addresses known engine defects and P1326 activation in this model and engine. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership in West Palm Beach, Florida for inspection, where the code was verified and documentation (including oil change records) was requested. The vehicle has approximately 89,000–90,000 miles. After the dealership inspection, I received an email from Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs [XXX] ) stating: “This is Hyundai’s final position in this matter, and we are unable to offer any assistance with regard to this claim.” I believe this position is incorrect, as the symptoms and P1326 activation align with the conditions outlined in TSB 22-EM-001H-1, which Hyundai is supposed to honor when these failures occur. To my knowledge, the vehicle/component has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. The check engine light and reduced power symptoms first appeared at the time of the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Engine failure, cylinder 4 is swimming on oil.

I am filing a complaint against Hyundai Motor America regarding denial of defect coverage for my 2016 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle is experiencing excessive oil consumption and triggered diagnostic code P1326. The dealer confirmed only one quart of oil remained in the engine and noted a valve cover gasket leak. Hyundai’s Tech Line instructed a gasket replacement and oil consumption test, but Hyundai corporate formally declined coverage, citing mileage and second-owner status. This is not a routine warranty claim but a defect claim. Oil consumption defects in Hyundai Theta engines are well-documented and have been subject to recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, and class actions. Defect coverage should not be limited to first owners. I am requesting reimbursement for the valve cover gasket repair, acknowledgment of the oil consumption defect, and corrective action to ensure Hyundai honors defect-related coverage fairly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My 2016 Hyundai Sonata experienced a sudden engine failure while in operation with no prior warning lights or symptoms. The engine seized unexpectedly, creating a safety risk. This failure appears consistent with known engine defects affecting Hyundai Sonata vehicles of this model year. Hyundai Motor America denied my claim without addressing these known defect patterns.

Car has been consuming oil fast since around 75,000 miles. Car is under 100,000 miles and I have been told by an independent shop that it basically has piston ring failure which means engine failure.

The vehicle is going through oil very quicky. No leaks no burning.

This car burned oil like crazy from the start. We kept the oil changed regularly, had to change spark plugs weekly and add a quart or more of oil each week in between oil changes. One day whole stopped at a red light the engine started knocking for no reason. Once diagnosed it turned out that it had spun a rod bearing. These engines need to be recalled before someone ends up in a fatal accident. This car was driven daily on a major interstate thankfully the issue happened at a red light, but has left me with a car note and a non drivable car. What’s it gonna take to get these engines recalled and replaced?

My 2016 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) had its engine replaced under recall campaign 20V746000 in March / April 2024 at Hyundai of Round Rock, TX. In October 2025, less than 18 months later and at 97,000 miles, the replacement engine failed again. Hyundai has refused further repair, citing an expired recall warranty. This raises serious safety and reliability concerns, as a recall engine should not fail this soon. Engine failure while driving could result in a stall or crash risk. Please investigate whether Hyundai’s recall replacement engines are defective and if extended coverage is warranted for affected consumers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Engine issue - but no recalls there have been hundreds of this same car yr and model with engine issues out of the blue

This vehicle has a faulty engine design which results in extreme over-consumption of oil. After an oil change, the engine will typically empty in less than a month, which is beyond a reasonable level of oil consumption. Side effects of this include other parts of the engine wearing down quicker, including the spark plugs, which cause engine misfires. Ultimately, this vehicle's engine design causes financial hardship to it's owners and poses a potential safety risk to those who drive in it. I believe Hyundai should do a recall to fix this faulty engine (with an engine replacement if necessary).

Sudden engine failure. Compression issue, car has only 63,000 miles.

While driving, my 2016 Hyundai Sonata’s engine suddenly started knocking loudly. I stopped immediately and found the engine oil was very low without any prior warning. After adding oil, the engine still runs but with possible internal damage. This could have caused the engine to seize while driving. There were no warning lights or leaks before this happened.

Car had oil in the electrode of spark plug. Total engine failure

At 70712 miles cylinder 4 suffered a catastrophic internal failure. The vehicle also had excessive oil consumption and the dealer just told us to keep adding oil as there was nothing they could do. The vehicle must have had a manufacturing defect.

My check engine light came on and my car went into “limp mode” and wouldn’t go above 30 mph. It also kept blowing hot air through the vents and the coolant level thermometer kept raising.

I had knocking in the engine from the auto body shop and my extend warranty told me this is the problem that I have

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON [XXX],I DIDNT RECIEVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT RECALLS,I WAS DRIVING ON [XXX] AT 60 MPH AND NOTICED THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, SOMEHOW I WAS ABLE TO COAST FAR ENOUGH AND MERGE 2 LANES AND WAS SITTING BETWEEN THE OFFRAMP AND THE FREEWAY ,THE SEEMED LIKE A DEAD BATTERY OR WOULDNT TURN OVER, SOON A CALIFORNIA STATE TOW TRUCK PULLED UP HE TRIED TO JUMP IT ,NOTHING, HE TOWED ME TO A SAFE PLACE, THEN I CALLED TRIPLE A SAME THING, I WAS TOWED HOME AFTER I ASSUMR THE CRANKSHAFT COOLED IT STARTED WITH A KNOCK, THERE WAS NO KNOCK WHEN IT SIEZED, I GOT HOME AND SEEN THEY GAVE ME GWC WARRANTY, IM PAYING FOR THEY DIDNT EVEN MENTION THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT, ,THE STORY IS WORSE THIS WAS THE SECOND CAR FROM THIS DEALER,THE FIRST ONE I HAD 1 DAY AND HEARD RODS KNOCKING ON COLD STARTS I TOOK IT RIGHT BACK, THATS HOW THEY GOT ME IN THIS I WAS KINDA CORNERED, I CALLED GWC THEY SAID SEND IT TO A DEALER SO I SENT IT TO HYUNDAI ,AT FIRST THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE SIEZED AND SAID ITS COVERED BY HYUNDAI, THEN SAID THE NEXT DAY THEY DENIED IT BECOUSE THE KNOCK SENSOR UPDATE WAS NEVER COMPLETED FROM 2020,I ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 MONTH IT SIEZED ON [XXX],SO NOW THERE TRYING MY GWC COVERAGE WHO TELLS HYUNDAI THEY WILL COVER A USED ENGINE,I SAID OK, I HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH THE HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER, HE DID TELL ME OVER THE PHONE HE DOESNT BELIEVE IT WAS EVEN LEGAL FOR THEM TO SELL ME THAT CAR,ALSO YES THE BLINKERS DID CONSTANTLY GO THE WRONG WAY,I DIDNT KNOW ABOUT THAT RECALL EITHER I KNOW IT WAS UPSETTING ME,EVERY TIME I LOOK MY BLINKER WAS GOING THE OTHER WAY,,I SEE LOTS OF RECALLS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE HYUNDAI ENGINES,HOW DO I REALY KNOW IF THAT WAS OR WASNT TAKEN CARE OF FOR THIS CAR OR WAS THERE A KNOCK SENSOR RECALL IN 2020, THE CAR HAS 144,000 MILES I BOUGHT IT WITH 141,051, HYUNDAI WARRANTY BECOUSE ENGINE SIEZURE IS 150,000, ITS STILL SITTING AT HYUNDAI WAITING FOR GWC TO SAY GO AHEAD ,HE KEEPS TELLING ME THEY WILL LET ME KNOW TOMAROW,I HAVE NO CAR, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was going down the highway and noticed a weird sound and when off the highway it just shut down on me thank God I was able to pull in a median and I could not drive or start it. No other warning signs. I had it towed to a mechanic and they told me the engine was blown and he wouldn’t touch it.

On [XXX] as I was driving out my garage my car started to drive with hesitation. As I turn the corner from home my car started to shake vigorously so I turned into the alley which leads back to my home the check engine light came on. I was able to drive into the garage. So I went to a mechanic who has serviced all my previous cars and he showed me that the car is burning too much oil that was effecting the performance of the engine making it drive sluggish I was also told at the oil changing company in numerous occasions that the sonatas burn oil. I’m trying to get it resolved but having no luck . It’s a real hassle with servicing this car. I need assistance on what I need to do INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The engine began knocking on us, towed to dealership. Safety concern was dying on the highway with other cars around. The dealer said it needs a new engine. Not sure there were any indications of failure or not. Some records indicate in order for Hyundai to warranty, this car needed to have had campaign 953 KSDS installed prior. Some records such as the TG3 TXXI warranty state that in April 2022, the KSDS campaign update was no longer required for the Hyundai Theta II engine warranty. owner did not perform KSDS 953, based on not receiving the information. Hyundai is currently denying warranty, but if TG3 TXXI is correct, the dealer has yet to fully inspect, and the fact remains that in April 2022 the Campaign 953 is no longer a prerequisite. I dont feel like I should be denied assistance. Please help.

Was driving on the interstate, and took the exit I needed. Upon exiting before coming up to stop light, noticed check engine light flashing, and couldn't accelerate. RPMS were bouncing when I tried to accelerate. Pulled off onto side of road, called mechanically inclined friend who came with an obd2 sensor, and it was showing a P132600 code for Knock signal range performance, with an audible knocking sound, and engine vibration while on in idle. Got the code cleared so we could drive the car the 3 miles I needed to go to get to where I was going, 2 miles in, the engine light came back on and vehicle went back into limp mode. Called AAA and got the car to an in network mechanic shop for Carvana, whom i bought the car through a month prior. Proceeded to do an oil sample test and found it to be full of metal shavings. Said engine would need to be fully replaced. Vehicle is currently still at mechanic until SilverRock gets the claim and will see if the engine replacement is covered under warranty. Certified Automotive Inc. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

In April 2025, my 2016 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L began making a knocking noise while driving. There were no warning lights or error messages on the dashboard, so I was confused about what was wrong and assumed it might be a minor issue related to the axle, which I had repaired in the past. I brought it to a local mechanic, who informed me the engine noise was concerning and mentioned this model was known to have engine-related recalls. Upon researching, I discovered my vehicle had an outstanding recall for the exact issue (connecting rod bearing wear leading to potential engine seizure), but it had expired due to the age of the vehicle. The car was brought into the dealership on April 30, 2025, and has remained there ever since with a completely failed engine. I was told by Hyundai corporate that they would not offer goodwill assistance due to the recall technically expiring. However, I never received any notification about this recall and had no idea it existed. The engine failure has left me without a vehicle for over three months. I cannot afford the $10,000 replacement cost quoted to me. My Sonata only has approximately 145,000 miles, and this engine failure puts my safety and financial situation at risk. I believe this is directly connected to the original recall defect and should have been addressed regardless of the expiration date, especially since the failure occurred from the same root cause. It has been inspected by the Jacksonville Key Hyundai dealership (where it is located now) as well as two other local auto shops.

Sometimes I see the engine ligth when I drive to long

Hello this is my second time filing for a complaint because the first time I did not receive an email confirmation. On Thursday night (April 4th) I was driving back home, I had just existed the highway and was now on a regular big busy street. I was driving approximately no more than 25 MPH. At the traffic light when it turned red I obviously had my foot on the break. When it had turned green and I tried to accelerate the car would just not simply move. As I said I was on a busy street there was many cars, My partner and I had to safety move the car by foot out of the road to let other cars pass, it was very dangerous for us since it was at night. I'd like to add prior to this the only time I ever had a problem was when I would turned on the car and later try to drive it would start shaking for a minute and then suddenly stop when I parked it and turned it off. Also there was never any engine light or any warning lights on the dashboard, To continue I had to call my dad late at night to help me find what was wrong with the car, obviously since it was at night there was not much to do, but to park the car and leave it there overnight. Next morning he goes and try to see if it turned on, It didn't the car was not running anymore, he called a tow truck for them to take it to a mechanic, In where they said it was an engine problem. The mechanic told my dad it would need a new engine which that can cost a lot. I called in the dealership in where i am financing it and told me if it was a motor problem I would have to pay $7500 to $8000 for a new engine replacement. This is do draining knowing I've had this car for less than TWO MONTHS and already having to pay for a new ENGINE? This was also very dangerous knowing the car never showed a warning light on the dashboard !! I could've been driving on the highway and the car could've stopped in the middle this could've been super dangerous putting my life at risk not knowing the the car had an engine problem.

While driving on the highway, experienced loss of power and flashing check engine light, subsequently causing engine knock and engine failure. This situation could have caused an accident and put myself and others at risk. It is understood the manufacturer has recalled more than one million vehicles due to engine failure and is working with NHTSA to address the issue. In communication with the manufacturer to inspect the damage and resolve the issue.