2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: excessive oil consumption

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine · PA · fire

2019 Santa Fe with 80,000 miles showed signs of excessive oil consumption. Service was scheduled with licensed Hyundai franchise service center. Known oil consumption issues on Theta II engines for that year. Testing requires 3 steps. First step is to change the oil and document levels. Engine is tested for 1000 miles then returned to service center. After 1000 miles, service center reports 2.5 qts of oil per 1000 miles. Hyundai corporate was contacted where they approved warranty work for the vehicle. Step two requires Combustion Chamber Cleaning. During this portion of the work, service center calls about fire that took place immediately after a test drive. Dealership states engine and components destroyed.

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · GA

COMPLAINT SUMMARY: [XXX] / ENGINE THERMAL FIRE RISK / WARRANTY DECEPTION My 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe (2.4L GDI Engine) is experiencing severe powertrain degradation under the known Theta II engine defect class-action framework. On November 7, 2025, the vehicle logged a Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1326 via an independent scan, indicating catastrophic internal rod bearing wear. On XXX, the vehicle was brought to Hyundai of Milledgeville for safety recall verification. Instead of executing the mandatory corporate-directed Bearing Clearance Test (BCT) to replace the failing engine block, the service department committed technical campaign malpractice. The technician forced the 9C2 ECU Software Update directly over the locked mechanical fault to suppress the dashboard warning lights and alter the vehicle's ROM ID parameter limits. When caught via a photograph of their active GDS diagnostic tablet showing 7 historical system faults, the service manager provided a truncated printed report hiding Page 1 and omitting the critical P1326 powertrain code count to evade a warranty engine replacement. Due to these unmitigated delays, the vehicle has suffered severe consequential safety damage. The advanced engine degradation and oil consumption have flooded the exhaust system, melting the catalytic converter substrate and triggering a new DTC P042000 (Catalyst Efficiency) fault immediately after the dealer visit. The extreme engine vibrations have also damaged the transmission's torque converter clutch (DTC P074100). The dealership refused a service loaner and knowingly sent a disabled consumer and an elderly passenger away in an active, failing vehicle that presents a sudden stall-on-highway hazard and a severe thermal exhaust fire risk under extreme summer heat conditions. Hyundai Motor America Corporate has failed to provide emergency towing or alternative mobility accommodations despite a registered corporate case file. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

My 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4L (VIN: [XXX]) is experiencing a severe safety defect involving rapid engine oil starvation. The vehicle recently failed an official oil consumption test conducted by Fred Beans Hyundai of Abington, where it was documented that the engine consumed 1 quart of oil in just 881 miles (PA Request #XXX). This vehicle is equipped with the Theta II engine, which currently has active warranty extensions (TXXC and TXXI) specifically covering connecting rod bearing failure. Despite the documented severe oil loss—which is the primary known cause of connecting rod bearing wear and sudden engine seizure—Hyundai Corporate (Case #XXX) is refusing to evaluate the vehicle under these warranties. They have improperly classified my claim as a denied "goodwill" request and are refusing to perform a connecting rod bearing clearance test to determine if the bearings have been damaged by this starvation. Because Hyundai refuses to perform the required diagnostic safety protocols, the vehicle must be driven in an oil-starved condition. This poses an imminent and severe safety risk of sudden engine seizure, stalling, and complete loss of motive power at highway speeds without warning, which could result in a catastrophic crash. The manufacturer is ignoring their own failure thresholds and putting driver safety at risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 6, 2026 · Engine, Suspension · NY

Engine is burning a tremendous amount of motor oil. Dealer does acknowledge engine is burning oil. No warning lights on. Told burning motor oil is normal for a hyundai engine. Engine can seize during driving with no warning and is a safety issue. Front struts are also failing. No warning and is a safety issue: Currently trying to get dealer to cover defective components under warranty. Nothing has been repaired or resolved as of yet.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Engine · PA

Engine continuously burns oil excessively and the dealership is falsifying the oil consumption test. At my local oil change shop, there is no oil left on dipstick at 3,000 mile interval. When I took it to dealer for consumption test, they checked dipstick after 1,000 miles and it was OVER THE FULL LEVEL. How can the oil be over the full level? This indicates they overfilled it to begin with and invalidated the test. Hyundai corporate is doing everything they can do avoid addressing this issue with the 2.4 engine in these models. Additionally, the transmission already failed less than 70k miles on the car.

Filed Feb 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NC

Since December my car has been burning oil at a fast rate. My husband has already had to add an additional 4 quarts since my last service 3000 miles ago. I have read and heard from others with a Santa Fe that they are having to replace their engines because of this. They are under warranty. Unfortunately I am not. I’ve already dealt with a white paint issue with Hyundai. I called couple weeks ago and was told someone would email me and they have not. I’m not sure where to turn now.

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Engine · TX

The vehicle was burning through oil excessively. I was adding 1 quart of oil a week. Dealer did an oil consumption test. They confirmed the engine needed replacement. These vehicles are getting to be known for this issue and the dealer is making me pay 40% of the repairs. They should be covering 100% because the issue is not isolated to my vehicle only.

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

My Hyundai Santa Fe 2019 Limited is burning oil. It started after the Turbo broke in October 2024. The turbo began leaking oil and then died. I took it to the dealership as it is still under warranty and they replaced the turbo. As a result, I have had issues ever since and now my car burns oil at a fast rate. In between oil changes I need to put oil in the engine to avoid it being drained. I am able to go about 3k miles on Synthetic oil and by 2.5-3k it is almost empty. It has been doing this now since 2024. I just had my 90k mile check up complete and with that I got an oil change. This was done in November 2024. Syntehtic oil was used. On January 16, as I was driving my car mileage decreased, the car began to shake and the engine light came on. I was able to safely stop and have the car towed. It was found that after driving just 2k miles the oil had completely burned off. I currently have an appointment at the dealer for them to run diagnostics on why it is burning. I saw there was a class action lawsuit against other Hyundai's doing the same thing and as a result Hyundai has to replace the engine. I also have read numerous forums where everyone is reporting the same thing with this particular model of it burning oil. I wanted to report this in case there were other owners of the same car experiencing the same thing.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Engine · PA

On my 2019 Sante Fe 2.0T, I started having oil consumption/engine issues after 85, 000 miles. Under warranty, I had several minor repairs made over the last year (since 87,000 miles) at the dealership. In September 2025, at 97, 500 miles, I had it into the dealership complaining of burning oil and excessive consumptions in between oil changes. They AGAIN made a few minor repairs, I signed a one-owner warranty form since it was prior to 100,000, and they said come back if I experience further issues. On December 21, at 9pm at night, I broke down on the side of the PA turnpike. My engine light came on after my car started shaking vigorously, and wouldn't accelerate beyond 30mph. Being a Sunday night, I called the dealership in the morning- I was told no appointments for 3 weeks. Took it to a mechanic- where they diagnosed engine failure- hole in intake vale and floating valve not seated. Towed to dealership where it was INITIALLY diagnosed spark plugs and engine coil. Once a mentioned I had a prior diagnosis and pictures, Hyundai did bioscope- found burnt valve and now need all new intake values and part of the engine rebuilt. Hyundai wants me to pay for repairs. I don't think I should have to pay a dime- I've been complaining for over 15,000 miles BEFORE my warranty expired. And now, at 102, 000 miles, the engines blown?? This is a known manufacturer defect with the Theta II engines, and the pistons. I would expect Hyundai at the VERY LEAST to cover the cost of the repairs. Quite frankly, they should replace my engine with a new one, since replacing valves wont solve the pistons and burning excessive oil anyways. I have all documentation of repairs at the dealerships, email correspondence sent between the dealership's service advisors and myself, as well as my routine oil changes.

Filed Jan 4, 2026 · Engine · CA

After several oil changes and going from ever 5000 miles to every 3000 miles for oil changes to the need to add additional oil before hitting 3000 for being low on oil. Was told this vehicle just burned oil often and nothing really i was able to do. Check engine light turned on. Car stalled, shook and even turned off after being idle too long. Diagnostic found a leak in a cylinder and no combustion in engine. Out of warranty coverage. No warning lamps came on prior. Was on the freeway when light came on luckily was able to pull over safely. Seen many other cars with similar year, make model and engine had similar issues with oil consumption leading to the need of a full engine replacement. Further reading into issue showed several class actions and recalls to similar situation.

Filed Dec 13, 2025 · Engine · CA

Vehicle is consuming oil at an exceptionally fast rate. In October 2025, when taken in for an oil change and my complaint of a burning smell upon quick acceleration, the technician documented no oil was found on the dipstick. Just a month later, in November 2025, the oil level was already extremely low, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and an oil consumption test is currently being administered. The vehicle is scheduled for an engine replacement in January 2026 after the consumption test is concluded.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · WA

Overly excessive oil consumption 2 Quarts every 3 or 4 days.no leaks. Engine gets so hot I don't have to turn on heater In winter. On going issue since 100,000 miles. EBS light stays on electronic parking brake switch does not work. Parking brake will randomly engage after vehicle is turned off. Dealership cannot duplicate issue. If cruse control is turned on the vehicles warning lights all of them will suddenly illuminate and the vehicle shuts off. alternator and battery replaced. Have not used cruse control since. Airbags never inflated in a front end crash at 45mph Most recently I started experiencing I intermittent trouble staring the car. Then one day it didn't start at all and smoke was coming from under the hood. Towed to mechanic , starter burnt up 155,000. $ 900 to replace then a couple days later I lost power on the freeway and the car started jerking and vibrating. Stopped Vehicle cut off and would not start. After 1hr I started and limped home. Vibration under 2000 RPMs and when stopped. Knocking noise under hood. Brand new spark plugs. Mechanic stated Cylinder 3;missfire was identified as a hole in a valve due to weak material now I have to replace engine. Oil consumption and excessive friction and heat is to blame. My car has been cared for like a baby it's all I have. I should not have to be responsible for this very cheaply made engine that was doomed to fail.