2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · FL

Hyundai Motor America & Wallace Hyundai of StuartVEHICLE: 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe (2.4L Theta II GDI Engine)VIN: 5NMS23AD5LH181669INCIDENT MILEAGE: 181,000 MiHYUNDAI CASE NUMBER: 42981944SECTION 1: CATASTROPHIC INTERSTATE SAFETY INCIDENTOn July 16, 2026, while navigating heavy, high-speed traffic on Interstate 95 (I-95) at approximately 80 to 85 MPH, my vehicle suffered an un-commanded, catastrophic mechanical engine seizure. The vehicle instantly dropped from highway speeds down to a 21 MPH "limp mode," creating an immediate multi-car pile-up hazard on a major interstate. Physical inspection immediately after the failure proved that the engine oil level was completely full. The internal components catastrophically failed due to a documented, systemic factory defect involving premature rod bearing failure and oil starvation mechanisms, entirely unrelated to consumer maintenance.SECTION 2: PRIOR SAFETY COMPLAINTS & DOCUMENTED TIMELINEHyundai Motor America has intentionally forced me to operate a known, life-threatening safety hazard for 17 months, during which I drove an additional 31,000 miles under extreme duress. I filed formal oil consumption complaints with Hyundai Corporate every three to four months. I was forced to manually replenish the engine oil every 1,000 miles due to excessive oil loss.Specific safety reports detailing hazardous engine behavior were formally logged with Hyundai on November 25, 2025, and again in April 2026. Rather than remediating the vehicle, Hyundai corporate claims adjusters and dealership supervisors ignored these warning tracks, effectively throwing a consumer out into active traffic in an unsafe, defective vehicle.SECTION 3: AUTOMATIC SHUTDOWN TRAUMA & ACCIDENT RISKThe manufacturing defects caused an intermittent, un-commanded automatic The manufacturing defects caused an intermittent, un-commanded automatic engine shutdown condition. On 5 to 10 separate occasions while stationary at active traffic lights, the vehicle stalled10times

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NY

My car is consuming an immense amount of oil, the manufacturer recommends oil changes every 7,500 miles, I get an oil change less than 3,000 miles and on my last oil change i was told that there are oil shavings in my oil filter. I just got the SC9C2 update and now my engine is knocking. Car drives super rough and has signs of rod bearing failure. My engine is the Theta II 2.4GDI, a class action lawsuit was filed against Hyundai but my car wasn't included. I don't understand how Hyundai can know about this issue with this engine and not cover replacement. A car should at the very least last for the life of the loan, I am going to end up with no car and still making payments.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine · MI

The vehicle (2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2.0T, ~88,500 miles) experienced a sudden engine failure with no warning signs—no oil light, knocking, or overheating. After sitting overnight, the vehicle would not start and was later diagnosed by an independent repair facility as having a seized engine requiring replacement. The failure was unexpected and creates a potential safety risk, as it could have resulted in a loss of power while driving. The manufacturer has been notified but denied warranty assistance due to lack of maintenance documentation. The vehicle is currently available for inspection.

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Engine · TX

Around Feb 15, 2026, at ~85,000 miles, the oil pressure warning light began illuminating at idle and extinguishing above idle speed. The vehicle had also been experiencing intermittent hard starts and occasional shuddering at idle — symptoms too subtle for a typical owner to connect to imminent engine failure. An independent mechanic performed a manual oil pressure test: 4 PSI (Hyundai minimum spec is 13 PSI). The authorized dealer confirmed 6 PSI and found metal shavings in the oil pan — the signature of connecting rod bearing wear documented in Theta II GDI engine failures. Dealer recommended full engine replacement ($8,500). Vehicle has been inoperable at the dealer since Feb 19, 2026. SAFETY CONCERN: At 4 PSI with metal debris in the oil system, this engine was at imminent risk of catastrophic seizure. I avoided highway driving after the warning appeared (max 50 mph, city streets only). Had the engine seized at highway speed, loss of power steering and brake vacuum assist would have created serious crash risk. The symptom profile — warning only at idle, clearing at speed, no knocking, no check engine light — is the pattern that puts less-vigilant drivers at risk of seizure at highway speed with no warning. KNOWN DEFECT: The 2.4L G4KJ Theta II GDI is identical to the engine subject to a $210M the federal safety agency civil penalty (2020), multiple recalls, and a ~$1.3B class action settlement extending lifetime warranties through MY 2019. The 2020 uses the same engine but was excluded. My failure mode is textbook Theta II. Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (ECU update for 2019-2020 Theta II, issued Nov 2025) was incomplete on this vehicle — I was never notified. Completed after the engine had already failed. Manufacturer denied coverage (Case #XXX). BBB AUTO LINE claim #XXX filed Apr 16, 2026. No crash. No injuries. No fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Engine · MS

After 110,000, the engine started using oil and it began to knock. According to the history of these engines, it will lead to engine failure. They have a record of being a lemon engine and there is not a engine of this type that this does not happen. The engine needs to recalled and replaced, They are the Theda II GDI series of 2.0L and 2.4L four-cylinder engines from Hyundai/Kia.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Engine · NY

Change the oil in the engine and found metal flakes in the oil. Took it to the dealership and they stated this is normal. After going to another dealership they found that this was not normal and had to replace the motor. Now three (3) months later the check engine light is flashing. It has a code of P1326. Was told this could be a knock sensor or it could be something wrong ever further into the engine.

Filed Sep 10, 2024 · Engine · VA

Knock sensor failed while it was raining and at highway speed and caused the vehicle to slow and jerk. After further investigation this has been a recall issue for several years , but Hyundai still has a problem with their Knock sensor and no recall on the 2020 Santa Fe

Filed Jun 6, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · IN

Prior to these occasions, the Hyundai Santa Fe was constantly needing oil added. On top of that, starting on [XXX], my 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe coded with a check engine light blinking in the upper right corner of the dashboard. I was on [XXX] in NW Indiana on my way to a meeting. The SUV would not accelerate past 2,000 rpm and bogged down on a national interstate sending me into a panic. I had my car towed back to my house. I called my brother in law, [XXX] , who sold me the vehicle in November 2020, to get advice on what to do next. I was told to have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. After having my car sit there for two weeks, Webb Hyundai finally looked at it. They upgraded the knock sensor software and had the knock sensor replaced. With the plethora of things that I asked to be repaired or looked at, they only fixed the knock sensor. Due to an extended warranty, I paid $100. Two days later, the SUV got a flat tire. The SUV sat for a week or week and a half due to a flat tire and the place not having it in stock. [XXX] driving back from getting my new tire put on in Valparaiso, Indiana, the vehicle coded again on [XXX]. It caused another very dangerous situation as the vehicle slows to 2,000 rpms. Once again, I had the SUV towed back to my home in Cedar Lake, Indiana. It sat for a few days while I was deciding my next move. This time, I had the vehicle towed to Gerald Hyundai, where my brother in law works and where the vehicle was originally purchased. The vehicle arrived [XXX], 2024. The SUV only sat for one day before telling me all the work that needed to be done. Some of the charges were covered by the extended warranty. Total bill was $540. The work was done on May 13, 2024. I could not pick up the vehicle until the weekend. However, my other car was in an accident, so I did not make it until [XXX] 2024. Shortly after picking up my vehicle, the SUV coded again on [XXX] going back to Indiana. More to follow.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Engine · 14,500 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light flashed on the instrument panel, prompting her to pull into a parking area and contact Roadside Assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the knock sensor. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was again towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a general failure with the engine, requiring a replacement engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 14,500.