2014 Hyundai Santa Fe: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Engine · TX

We are the original owner of a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle is experiencing issues from internal engine oil consumption caused by a manufacturing defect in the GDI powertrain. In 2023, while driving under normal operating conditions, the vehicle began severely jerking, shuddering and hesitating during acceleration. This hesitation and sudden drop in power creates a severe and immediate traffic hazard, as the vehicle loses acceleration capabilities unpredictably while driving, merging, entering a highway or crossing intersections. I have since experience low oil volume due to this systemic oil consumption. On April 7, 2023 while I was under the 100,000 mile factory warranty (at 99,644), the issues were reported to the dealership but they found no issues. Since then the engine light come up regularly and we must add or change oil soon. On June 15, 2026 we took it back with the same issue and we have been told after checking it and filling it up we must repeat the process from 2023, drive it for 1000 miles without changing or adding oil, even if it dries up. This will create a safety hazard not only for the public but for my family. Now we are told the engine needs to be replaced but since we're out of warranty, we must pay $21,000. We were under warranty when we reported the issue and they purposedly led us out knowing the issues were happening to other Sonata and Santa Fe models. Now we are left with a dangerous vehicle which we cannot in good faith sell to any other family.

Filed Oct 31, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 63,547 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle sputtered and hesitated while responding. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,547.

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · IL

I have been notified that I am in need of a new engine due to possible complete engine failure which is on the near horizon. I have the Lambda II V6 3.3L engine. It is knocking, making noises, hesitates to go, feels like it will stall out at all speeds, and is scaring me terribly. My certified local mechanic replaced a part for failed emissions, which cost almost $900. However the check engine light came back on. They stated I must go to Hyundai because they did not believe they could fix the car as it required a new engine. I took it to my Hyundai dealer, where my contact stated yes it should be covered as it was having the issues as have been identified with this engine. He later came back and stated his managers would not let him put through the claim, and said my estimate was now a whole new timing system at a cost of $4600. My car has less than 83,000 miles on it. My previous Hyundai is still running at 200,000 miles, so yes, I take good care of my vehicles. This is an early equipment failure on the part of Hyundai and Kia that they are now owning up to. I drive on busy 4 lane local roads, and I am afraid of this engine failure. Also, when I did take my Hyundai into the dealership, they did not have the ABS part needed for the recall. I was told it would be in within a couple of days. I have not been contacted back by them if it is in and to schedule me an appt. This is a huge failure in itself! I did make a claim to Hyundai Customer Care, that stated it was out of warranty. Today, I have my car at a 3rd automotive mechanic in the area to get a 3rd opinion. He has a minor timing issue code P0018 that emissions still kicked out once I finally got it passed. I am waiting to hear what he has to say regarding my engine with no beforehand knowledge of what I know so far. If my car catches fire or breaks down or seizes up on a busy road, I don't think that will go safely at all. I am very concerned for my safety and that of others.

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 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 Jul 18, 2022 · Engine · 136,981 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clicking noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. As the noise persisted, the contact stated that the vehicle shut off upon the depression of the accelerator pedal while at a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel during the failure. Upon restart of the vehicle, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the RPM's began to rev. The contact was able to reach her destination and upon inspection of her vehicle, she discovered that there was no oil in the engine. The contact called the independent mechanic where she had her recent oil change and they informed her of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which was linked to the failure. The contact notified the dealer about the defect and had the vehicle towed there for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or repaired. The failure mileage was 136,981.

Filed Apr 3, 2021 · Engine · 116,000 miles · MN

On two occasions our car stalled on a busy freeway which caused us to once coast over to side of road. On second occasion, car stalled while in the middle lane of hwy 36 in stillwater mn. Car eventually started and check engine light started flashing. Car started to hesitate and a knocking sound was heard. Brought it to dealer and they said it was a oil maintenance issue which was not true as we performed oil changes when instructed.

Filed Sep 13, 2019 · Engine · 102,000 miles · MN

Started car and engine light came on. Started driving car and it hesitated eventually it would accelerate. When getting onto freeway and tried to accelerate it was slow to do so but eventually would. This kept reoccurring. No noises or other issues. Brought car in same day I first noticed this happening and had code of p1326.

Filed Jul 5, 2019 · 90,000 miles · OH

I have a problem with the car having trouble when taking off. It hesitates as I'm taking off some of the time. I would say about half the time. I just got a tune up because I only have had this SUV about 3 months. But still acts up. No dashboard lights on either. Everything else has been great.

Filed Sep 8, 2017 · Driver assistance, Engine · 27,000 miles · MI

When making a left turn from a stop or rolling stop and you press hard on the accelerator the engine does not rev up and the hesitation of a second or two can leave you stranded in a lane of traffic.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Engine · 31,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 hyundai santa fe. While attempting to accelerate from an idle position, the vehicle suddenly hesitated and nearly stalled before operating normally. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.

Filed Mar 31, 2016 · Fuel system · 21,000 miles · OR

Purchased new , march '14. In for periodic service 2-22-16 reported occasional hesitation of 1 to 2 seconds after a stop or slow forward motion. The dealer put the car on diagnostic machines. "no problem." revisited the dealer explicitly for the same problem on 3-7-16. But now, in addition to the momentary lags, there had been a couple incidents of longer lags of 5 to 10 seconds. Again, the service report was written up with "no problem". Now I'm making a 3rd appointment because the hesitation is happening more frequently and I've had the long count lags (10 secs or longer) happen twice in the last 2 weeks. The problem has now moved from being an irritant to being life threatening. Incidents happen on streets and highways when entering and crossing traffic. Very unsafe, and nerve rattling. Please refer to the federal safety agency incident # 10836613 & 1082431