2013 Hyundai Sonata: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Engine · TX

Recall 162 bearing water I came to a stop sign n my car died and caused the engine to kick n wen I started it it was knocking

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Engine · FL

Factual summary * Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Sonata * VIN: [XXX] * Incident date: XXX * Failure: Sudden knocking noise, immediate check‑engine illumination, loss of power, and catastrophic engine failure; vehicle towed to Allen Turner Hyundai, 6501 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505. * Recall: My VIN appears on Hyundai’s engine recall list; the recall notice was issued before the vehicle received a rebranded title. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Engine · FL

Knock sensor has detected a failure. Check engine light is flashing and the car is in limp mode.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Engine · TN

I was on [XXX] . I was going 70 mph and then my car just instantly stopped accelerating. The check engine started flashing and I pulled to the side. There was a knocking noise and I just stopped. I called my son to come and get us and then my uncle told it to my house. I have several friends that work on cars and have a a tester. Of course they tested it in that same code came up as if it was the knocking center, so I had another friend come and tested with a different tester with the knocking sensor out his own cylinder three it’s not the knocking center the bearing in the motor is on cylinder two, which that’s what it is. I put my pen. I I put my pin number on the website and it’s showing that my car is affected. No it’s not showing on y’all‘s recall because it’s not something that you’re gonna recall. I have a history of my car motor being fixed every six years if I need to provide that, I will email that I’ve been given the runaround to get my car fixed because it’s not showing up on y’all recall, but it is a recall for the bearing in the motor we could’ve gotten hurt no warning no nothing. I just want to be done right because I’ve had my car service for the last six years and nothing went wrong. I just want y’all to be fair and do right and put that on y’all’s recall, I would hate to take this further but if I have to, I will sincerely [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Engine · AZ

This vehicle is subject to a known Theta II connecting rod bearing defect (Recall 162 / KSDS) and a related class action settlement. On October 2, 2025, the vehicle stalled while entering the highway. It was taken to Ken Garff Hyundai Surprise, and the following day, October 3, 2025, it entered engine protection mode (limp mode) during the dealership's own test drive, the exact behavior the Knock Sensor Detection System is designed to trigger for connecting rod bearing wear. The dealership's own service advisor documented in writing, as early as December 27, 2025, that he did not like how the vehicle ran and drove and wanted to resubmit a warranty claim. Despite this documented concern, on May 5, 2026, the dealership's service manager told Hyundai corporate that nothing was wrong with the vehicle and that it could be picked up. Hyundai corporate maintained that the engine had passed bearing clearance testing on two occasions, October 3, 2025 and May 23, 2026. I was told the vehicle was safe and retrieved it on June 29, 2026, out of necessity after my family's other vehicle was totaled in an accident. Approximately ten days later, the engine failed completely while I was driving with my family in the vehicle. Hyundai's own repair order documented the crankshaft as seized at over 95 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai subsequently approved and completed a full engine replacement. I am filing this report because a vehicle with a documented, known defect and a documented internal safety concern was represented to me as safe to drive, and it failed catastrophically with my family inside it within days of that representation

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Engine · IN

Engine developed a loud rod-bearing knock at approx. 107,771 miles, consistent with the Theta II GDI connecting-rod bearing defect addressed by the federal safety agency Recall 17V‑226 (Hyundai Recall 162). The vehicle was taken out of service and delivered to Webb Hyundai, Highland, IN, on 06/13/2026, where it remains. Hyundai's own campaign records confirm Recall 162 (GDI engine inspection/replacement) was completed on this VIN on 10/02/2017 and the KSDS engine-monitoring software (Service Campaign 953) was installed 08/09/2019 - yet the engine has now failed in exactly the manner the recall was meant to remedy, indicating the recall remedy was ineffective for this vehicle. Hyundai Motor America (case #42847594) has refused repair, citing a "branded title"; the only brand on the title is a "Not Actual Mileage" odometer disclosure, not a salvage or rebuilt brand. the federal safety agency guidance is that title branding is not a valid basis for denying a recall remedy. The defect poses a risk of sudden engine failure and stalling while driving. No crash, fire, or injury. Requesting the federal safety agency review of recall remedy effectiveness and of Hyundai's denial.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · GA

My vehicle began experiencing excessive oil consumption several years before the engine failed. In approximately 2019, I reported the oil consumption to an authorized Hyundai dealership and expressed concern that my vehicle might have one of the known Theta II engine defects. I was told the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) campaign had been completed and that my vehicle was not one requiring engine replacement. The excessive oil consumption continued. On June 6, 2026, the engine developed severe metal knocking, misfires, and became unsafe to operate. I was concerned the engine could fail completely or lose power while driving, creating a safety hazard for myself and others. The vehicle had to be towed to a Hyundai dealership on June 7, 2026. Hyundai of Kennesaw inspected the vehicle and verbally advised that the engine failure was caused by connecting rod bearing failure. Although the dealership identified connecting rod bearing failure, Hyundai Motor America declined to replace the engine and instead advised that it would not proceed with repairs because of the settlement provisions related to the vehicle's age and mileage. As a result, the vehicle remains inoperable. I am submitting this report because I believe this engine failure presents a significant safety concern due to the potential for sudden engine failure or loss of power while driving. I am also concerned that I reported symptoms years before the failure, yet the engine ultimately failed from the same type of defect associated with many Hyundai Theta II engines.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Engine · FL

I am writing about my 2013 Hyundai Sonata VIN: [XXX]. On [XXX] my vehicle experienced a knocking noise from the engine and the Illumination of the check engine light. The car lost power and I was unable to drive it home. I had to call a tow service to have the car towed to Alan Turner Hyundai, 6501 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505. I spoke to a service writer at Alan Turner Hyundai. He told us that they could not help us and to contact Hyundai corporate office for help. We purchased this car brand new from Alan Turner Hyundai. We visited your web site and put in our VIN and the system stated that our vehicle was affected by the Sonata and Santa Fe Sport Engine Recall Campaign. We are an [XXX] with one car, and that car has stopped working. We need help in getting this car repaired under warranty via the Sonata and Santa Fe Sport Engine Recall Campaign. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Engine · FL

My 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited equipped with the Theta II 2.4L GDI engine experienced a sudden connecting rod bearing failure while driving on the expressway in Florida. At the time of failure, the vehicle had approximately 153,000 miles. The Check Engine Light illuminated and the vehicle entered limp mode, causing significant loss of power while in motion at highway speeds. The engine and vehicle remain available for inspection upon request. Diagnostic scan confirmed P1326 — the exact code the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) is designed to trigger upon detecting connecting rod bearing wear or failure. Prior to this incident, no warning lamps or symptoms were present; the failure occurred suddenly while the vehicle was being driven normally. The KSDS software update was previously completed at an authorized Hyundai dealership. The vehicle has been maintained with regular oil changes and complete maintenance records are available. No engine sludge was found upon inspection at the dealership. The failure was confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership, which diagnosed connecting rod bearing failure consistent with the known Theta II GDI engine defect covered under the class action settlement lifetime warranty. Despite meeting all eligibility requirements — KSDS update completed, P1326 confirmed, full maintenance records, no evidence of neglect — Hyundai Motor America denied the warranty repair citing vehicle age and mileage exceeding 150,000 miles and 8 years. This mileage and age limitation does not apply to Theta II GDI engines under the lifetime warranty class action settlement. This failure represents a serious safety risk as the engine lost power while the vehicle was in motion on the expressway, creating a dangerous situation for the driver and other road users. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance, but is available for manufacturer or the federal safety agency inspection.

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Engine · NC

No warning whatsoever. Car drove like a dream. All maintenance up to date. Oil changes done exactly on time. All recalls completed. Then all of a sudden while on the interstate, car started knocking extremely hard, lights on dash came on and car died. Almost caused several wrecks as I was going 70mph. This happened March 2026. Vehicle is a 2013 with 105,000 miles on it. 1-owner vehicle with clean title.

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Engine · MI

3rd time in the last 6000 miles the knock sensor came on and the dealer clears it, charges me repairs and sends me home with the code cleared car. All 3 times the car imeditently kicked into limp mode while I was on the highway at high speeds, suddently being slowed without warning. When checked with a local scanner it showed P1326 code and dealers all confirmed it. First incident happened in Utah in 2023 (108949miles) and the last 2 happened in michigan in 2025(114850 miles) and now 2026 (115890 miles).

Filed Feb 25, 2026 · Engine · KY

Hi, I recently bought my car with a savage title, the inside of the engine in my 2013 Hyundai sonata is making a knocking noise, it has the engine light on and when I scanned it, it shows code P1326, I did some research and found out that Hyundai issued a safety recall 162 back in 2017. In the Hyundai recall webpage records it shows the recall as complete on 8/7/2020. However the engine is making the knocking noise. I took the car to the dealer (Oxmoor Hyundai in Louisville) to have it checked for that safety recall on 2/2/2026 and it was not checked until 2/12/2026 and they told me that they applied for an engine replacement that day, then on 2/18/2026 dealer reached out to me saying that my engine replacement was approved and that they were waiting for the engine to be delivered between 5 to 7 business days. Then on 2/19/2026 I received a call from the dealer and they told me that the engine replacement was not approved due to the title being savage, I asked why was that if it was a safety recall and she responded back saying that it was not a safety recall, it was just an extended warranty, I asked for more explanations on why if it was already approved why did it change the next day and they told me that I had to call the Hyundai customer service. I called the Hyundai customer service line on 2/20/2026 and they told me that they were going to reach out to the dealer about this issue. I haven't had any updates after that.