2014 Hyundai Santa Fe: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Engine · PA

I was driving my daughters to school and the vehicle made a loud squeal and a subsequently a continuous clicking noise. I did not have any warning of the vehicle malfunctioning. There was no check engine light, no loss of power, or anything related to an impending failure. Upon this happening I was able to quickly get the vehicle moved as I was in the middle of the road with people around and lucking was not hit as I immediately stopped. I was close to home and was able to get the vehicle back to our home. Upon speaking with a Hyundai dealership they made me aware of a “silent recall” on many motors within the Hyundai failure due to internal failures. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and inspected and confirmed to have been linked to the engine failure. Hyundai is now stating that due to me being the second owner of the vehicle I am not apt to the extended warranty and there is no notice on any of the public facing knowledge to any of this information. I have gone through almost 2.5 months of back and forth with Hyundai case managers & the Attorney general.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Engine · NY

While driving we notice an engine knock, particular when the car reached 2000 RPM or more. the car suddenly lost power and would not exceed 40 mph. We took the vehicle to a mechanic and were informed that it needed the engine replaced.

Filed Oct 5, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

My 2014 Hyundai Sonata is subject to the recall campaign for the 2.0L and 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. Since June 24, 2024, the vehicle has exhibited multiple issues: 1. Check Engine Light: The check engine light is continuously on and blinking, signaling that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Diagnostic codes retrieved include P0140 (O2 Circuit), P0172 (System Too Rich), and P0126 (Knock Sensor Circuit). While the P0126 code pertains to the knock sensor, there has been no definitive diagnosis to determine if the issue is isolated to the sensor or indicative of a deeper engine problem. 2. Engine Power Issue: The car experiences jolts and kicks back during acceleration, along with intermittent lack of power. Furthermore, an independent mechanic performed some tests on the engine, determining that it runs too rich. After the second white smoke through exhaust incident, the vehicle struggles, and often does not reach, 60 MPH; aligning with "Reduced power and/or hesitation" (case #2) in the recall campaign. 3. Exhaust Smoke: On two separate occasions, within a month, white smoke has been observed exiting the exhaust. Engine oil has been below 3/5 empty each time. No oil leak found; must be exiting through exhaust. Despite qualifying for the recall, the Hyundai Colorado Springs dealer has refused to inspect or replace the engine as required. These ongoing issues pose significant safety risks, including the potential for unexpected engine failure and loss of power while driving.

Filed Jul 26, 2024 · Engine · VA

This past Tuesday, July 23, 2024, I started to drive out of my driveway and I heard a very loud knocking noise coming from under the hood. Upon driving the car less than 100 feet the car lost power. It was extremely difficult to get the car back to my driveway. The car was completely impossible to drive and control of my Santa Fe Limited was lost. I had a tow company tow my Santa Fe to the place where I got normal routine service done. Both the tow truck driver and the owner of the auto service business stated the failure was a broken connecting rod or something very similar in the engine. The result was the engine is not able to be repaired and would need to be replaced by a new engine. I purchased the Santa Fe Limited new on May 17, 2024 and I am the only owner. It currently has 72,600 miles on it. I performed all service requirements and changed oil and filter every 5000 miles. Also had my tires rotated and balanced every 5000 miles.

Filed May 1, 2024 · Engine · AZ

We were driving along the freeway at approximately 65 miles per hour. The car suddenly started to hesitate and then the engine cut completely out. We lost power steering and brakes when the engine cut out, but managed to get the vehicle to the shoulder of the road safely. There were no warning lights and the engine quit almost instantly. We had it towed to the Hyundai dealer and they said that the engine was destroyed and needed to be replaced.

Filed Mar 9, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · CT

Same issue with my Santa Fe Sport with the engine burning oil. It left me stranded on a back road up hill when it just slowly stopped accelerating and shut off. I had it towed to Hyundai dealership who wanted me to purchase a brand new engine. After talking to a friend who is a mechanic he told me about the lawsuit going on. I confronted Hyundai with this new information I had gotten. I was able to get the engine replace but I’m appalled at Hyundais sketchy way of trying to bypass this. Had not for my friend told me then I would have paid for a new engine! Dealership kept my vehicle for 4 months because they were out of stock in engines due to the amount of vehicles having the same issue! Wow now the truth unfolds. Shortly after getting the car back the check engine light came on. When reversing the vehicle would buck and seem like it wanted to stall out. Autozone hooked up computer and said torque converter code showed. Autozone said if I just had my engine replaced then the dealership didn’t install it right or broke something during the process. I took it back to Hyundai and they verified converter code and said I needed a new transmission! Prior to the engine issue this car NEVER had problems. The second the engine was replaced everything went wrong! Seems very sketchy. The car started losing power when driving. I was on the highway and it would not accelerate. I was terrified I was going to get hit by all the other vehicles. Cars were dodging me and slamming on breaks and honking horns. I managed to make my way to pull over. Got the transmission replaced like I was told and the converter replaced. Car is still doing the same thing. Hyundai said I needed converter replaced AGAIN two months after they replaced it. Now everyone at Hyundai was fired… wonder why. Now I took it back to Hyundai again, car has not been driven in over a year. Now they are saying no issue with converter it’s the transmission! Hyundai needs to be out of business. They put us in danger!

Filed Feb 5, 2024 · Engine · MA

unknown==Vehicle suddenly lost heating inside of car---stalled --lost power steering---avoided oncoming traffic---stuck in middle of the road---was able to restart to get home My first thought was t-stat was bad----but no indication of overheating on dash.I proceeded to change t-stat anyway.Upon removal of thermostat I found my coolant was contaminated with oil.It was sludge.An off white sludge that looked like glue. Consulted dealer and was told it sounds like a big job .As I am retired and fighting cancer at this time,there is no way I can afford a large repair bill.Don't know what to do. thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 7, 2023 · Engine · TX

I am writing to provide you with detailed information regarding the engine failure incident that occurred on November 15, 2023, involving my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The component that failed was the engine itself, which resulted in a sudden and complete loss of power while I was driving at highway speeds. This incident posed a significant safety risk to both myself and others on the road, as it left the vehicle without any operational systems, including power steering. Fortunately, I was able to maintain control of the vehicle and avoid a potentially catastrophic accident. I feel incredibly fortunate that I was alone during this dangerous situation, as it could have been far more perilous had my three children, aged 3, 5, and 10, or my wife, been in the vehicle with me. The problem has been confirmed by a dealer who conducted an inspection and determined that the engine had seized. However, it is important to note that the dealer has refused and denied any repair or assistance in resolving the issue. As of now, the police have not conducted an inspection of the vehicle or its components, and I have not reported this incident to my insurance. Surprisingly, there were no warning lamps, messages, or any other symptoms indicating a problem prior to the engine failure. The failure occurred suddenly and without any prior warning while I was driving in heavy traffic. I consider myself extremely lucky that the engine was not at operating temperatures at the time of the failure. There was visible smoke coming from under the hood with oil spray, but thankfully, there was no fire. I am deeply concerned about the safety implications of this incident and would appreciate any guidance or support you can provide in resolving this matter.

Filed Oct 14, 2023 · Engine · PA

On 9/16/23 in Pierpont, OH, my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport's engine seized driving 55 mph. No warning as engine lost power. Drifted to side road into parking lot. Engine smelled of electric burning (diagnosed at dealer with burned out battery as well as burned out starter as well as catastrophic engine failure). I have always carried an auto fire extinguisher in this car as they have been known to catch fire when engines seized and I had researched the problems with these engines since being notified of the engineering defects they have. At the time of the engine failure, I had my husband and my dog in the car, as we were on vacation leaving us stuck on the side of a road in 80 degree heat and we were 100 miles away from home. My vehicle was towed to Victory Hyundai in Jefferson, OH, about 11 miles from where I broke down. It has been there since awaiting diagnosing as well as submission to Hyundai for engine replacement under current powertrain warranty. I promptly had all recalls & services (oil changes) done throughout my ownership of car, as part of lifetime engine warranty program due to known engine issues with Hyundai and Kia GDI Theta engines. Engine replacement was granted on 10/13/23 by Hyundai. Will be approx 3-6 months to wait for engine to be received and replacement to be installed. Prior to engine failure, engine went into limp mode in May of 2019 with P1326 code and was towed to dealership where I purchased my vehicle (Preston Hyundai in Boardman, OH). Second software update was completed and engine checked for any defects and was cleared to drive. Had no issues with engine until it seized in September.

Filed Oct 10, 2023 · Engine · FL

Loss of power and then lower engine rod knock. Engine is a total loss and needs to be replaced.

Filed Sep 27, 2023 · Engine · OK

Lost power on the highway while driving. No engine lights or warnings came on. Took to dealership and they said it was due to rod bearing failure.

Filed Sep 6, 2023 · Engine · WI

2014 Santa Fe 3.3L with 108,000 miles. Sudden total loss of power on the highway. Check engine light came on, was able to pull onto shoulder and shut off vehicle. Towed to dealership, engine code ended up being P0304 and engine was completely seized - would not rotate. Safety of my family and others on the highway was compromised when the vehicle lost all power and had to immediately veer off the road onto a narrow shoulder. Problem was confirmed by a Hyundai dealership. Vehicle has not been inspected by the other listed parties. No warning whatsoever was seen, felt or heard. Check engine light came on after the engine had seized.