2015 Hyundai Santa Fe: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Aug 1, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · KS

The 3.3 liter V6 GDI engine failed while driving at approximately 136000 miles. Heard a ticking noise start shortly after leaving home, and had hesitation and shaking upon acceleration from a stop sign, but saw no warning lamps. Went around the block back home to find out the ticking noise was under the hood. Motor oil was almost 3 quarts low, but only 2/3's of the way through the service interval. Checked for leaking, saw none dripping, but did see oil on the under of the rear differential. I then let the car run for minute or so in the garage and looked for leaks. I saw no active leaking and ticking was quieter, so I drove to a close gas station to get a little gas and test drive, still no warning lights. On the way back, about a mile from home, the engine light came on, despite the ticking sound being gone. Within a quarter mile, at the next stop sign, I let off the brake to accelerate and the car started rolling backwards, causing the vehicle approaching from behind to swerve into the turn lane. The vehicle was no longer running, and wouldn't restart. Towed to local mechanic and was told 2 days ago the engine was seized, and replacement was needed. I have not contacted any dealership or the manufacturer, as I the second owner and do not have a warranty. However I have spent the last 2 days reading seemingly 1000s of articles and forum posts related to this engine, whether it be in a Hyundai or a Kia. Several of the articles I have read about this 3.3 liter GDI Lambda -II engine and it's horror stories, referenced this the federal safety agency site as a place where complaints can be made, so here I am. Many articles describe the same problem.. hesitation... ticking.. sudden mysterious oil loss... little, if any warning... complete failure while driving, putting safety at risk. With the problem with engine so blatantly rampant, it is my fear that after I scrap this vehicle, there will be a recall. Over the phone quotes, and online pricing have ranged from $7500-20000 for repair.

Filed May 23, 2022 · Engine · MI

Daughter was driving vehicle when began hesitating on road and losing power. She also heard knocking sound coming from engine. Concerned she would get rear ended she pulled off to side of road. No engine warning lights. Had vehicle towed to dealership where upon inspection determined total engine failure.

Filed Apr 29, 2022 · MA · fire

Summer of 2020,my engine needed to be replaced for an unknown reason, that work was done at the Herb Chambers Hyundai service department. On 4/22/2022 my car hesitated to start, it did start, I traveled about 12 miles and my engine light came on. I traveled about 3 more miles and then my car stalled in the middle of the highway, I headed to the breakdown lane very quickly. As soon as I put the car in park, the car started to smoke, I ran down the highway on foot, called 911, I turned around and my car was engulfed in flames. This whole incident went awry very quickly, about 5 minutes. I am writing in as I was offered $16000.00 as a settlement for my vehicle and all losses from Hyundai. My insurance company is offering about $1500.00 more than Hyundai. Hyundai is not even performing an inspection which was not what they communicated initially. I was told an inspection needed to be done prior to any settlement decision. Their is a known recall, I understand, recall #205, which I had not yet been notified of. I want to reiterate that no inspection on Hyundai's part was done to confirm damage/recall issue. At this point I do not have a vehicle and not in a position to buy a new car.

Filed Oct 12, 2021 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and jerk upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. Recently, the contact stated that the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would immediately restart after failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 1,000 miles · MS

Randomly, from a stop, when accelerating the engine temporary stalls or hesitates for 1-2 seconds. This very dangerous and scary. It has been happening since the car was new and the dealer refuses to recognize the problem. It has probably happened 50 times or more. Online searches show many complaints of the same issue with all models with the 2.x turbo engine.

Filed Jun 23, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 58,091 miles · CA

While driving the vehicle on the highway, I noticed the check engine light came on. I checked the oil level and other fluids. The oil was very low. I put in a few quarts of oil immediately and took the vehicle to get an oil change professionally shortly after. I noticed the engine with hesitate and idling became rough. At the same time, the fuel miles per gallon decreased drastically.

Filed Jan 26, 2016 · Fuel system · 11,000 miles · TN

For a week (july 4-11, 2015) I rented a santa fe sport SUV from national at hobby airport in houston, tx. Only after driving it during the week did I discover the worst problem with this car ' it had a predominant tendency to hesitate when accelerating from a stop, especially when a left or right turn was to be executed at the same time. This was a very dangerous situation, with a real possibility of being struck by oncoming traffic.