2015 Hyundai Sonata: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine · FL

Hyundai Motor America is explicitly refusing to honor the mandatory safety recall and lifetime warranty extension for a catastrophic rod bearing failure on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata (VIN [XXX]). The engine suffered a sudden internal connecting rod bearing seizure while operating, causing a complete loss of motive power and creating an immediate hazard. Hyundai Corporate Escalations issued a blanket denial solely because the vehicle carries a rebuilt title. However, the vehicle's official Hyundai portal confirms that Service Campaign 953 (the Knock Sensor Detection System software update) was successfully completed on XXX. The engine failure matches the exact factory manufacturing defect (internal oil starvation from manufacturing debris) that is the subject of the In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation. The external collision history that led to a structural/rebuilt brand has absolutely zero mechanical correlation to a sealed, internal crankshaft block defect. Hyundai is acting in bad faith by using an unrelated title status to evade a federal safety recall mandate and escape liability for a dangerous, stalling powertrain defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Engine · MI

My Hyundai Sonata engine stalled out while driving on the highway. I had it towed to a dealership with the hope they would fix the issue because it was supposed to be covered under warranty from a recall. The dealership said the engine replacement would be covered as long as they got approval from Hyundai. Hyundai apparently only asked that specific dealership for the service records that they had, didn’t even reach out to me or try to find any other service records on the vehicle and denied the claim for “neglect of maintenance” because that dealership only had records from 0-90,000 miles. The dealership got back to me and told me the news and I told them that I will get all service records from 0 miles to current. I got all those records together and sent them to the dealer. A week later they called and said Hyundai was again going to deny my request because of the same “neglect of maintenance” which isn’t true based on the records I have and they have. I have driven the vehicle less than 10,000 miles and there has been nothing wrong with it. No check engine lights ever and regular oil changes.

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Engine · FL

On June 22, my 2015 Hyundai Sonata suddenly lost all electrical power without warning. The vehicle stalled and would not restart. There were no warning signs beforehand. After the incident, the car had no electrical power and was inoperable. Further inspection determined that the engine had failed and required replacement. I maintained the vehicle with regular oil changes and was unaware of Hyundai’s Service Campaign 953 (KSDS update). I was never notified that this campaign needed to be completed, and I believe that failure to receive notice contributed to Hyundai’s denial of my engine replacement claim. I purchased the vehicle December 19, 2019. I was never notified by the dealer or manufacturer

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Engine · MD

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, exhaust fumes were noticed inside the cabin, and the check engine light illuminated before the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Engine · FL

On October 2024,I brought the car in to RickCase Hyundai for maintenance and to address an oil leaking issue. I texted the service advisor, “Please do not do the oil change till you find out where the oil is leaking”, I’m replacing it frequentlyWhen I picked up the car and inquired about the leaking, the he told me that there was not an issue. January 2025, the car was driving rough again, noticed the oil low and filled it up. February 2025 driving on 595, The car stopped. I had it towed to Rick Case, they told me I needed to replace the piston. I said no this has to do with the oil consumption issue that I brought the car in October that you never addressed. The four new spark plugs that were put in were burnt on the tips. They went through the warranty issue to get the engine repaired and it was denied. I said this is not a warranty issue. This was a mistake on your part because you never address the oil consumption issue in October 2024. As of June 12,2026, the dealership still has my car. When I call and ask, What’s going on with my car. The only response I get is we are trying something else it’s going to take some time. Last summer, the service advisor told me he was going to fix my car, wanted me to come pick it up and drive it for 1000 miles and bring it back. They couldn’t fix the car. They never offered a loaner. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure and completely stalled in the middle of a live road, creating an immediate highway safety hazard. the vehicle is still being held at Rick Case Hyundai Weston for over a year regarding excessive oil consumption issues, which the dealer failed to resolve. The vehicle has 85,000 miles and a complete maintenance history. Hyundai Corporate is currently denying a replacement engine under the active engine settlement framework, leaving a known stalling safety hazard unresolved."

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Engine · 123,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while idling at a stop light the vehicle suddenly stalled. The engine did not restart and the vehicle was pushed to a nearby parking space. During the failure no warning lights or messages had displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · Engine · TX · crash

​I will take ​10k$ for the car or a new engine and steering, damages fixed. . I also need a rental by April 10th and $300 for inconvenience thus far. ​The engine ​stalled ​twice​ when driving over 2 months! The lawyer won't be forgiving.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

Component/System Failed: Engine – connecting rod bearing failure consistent with Hyundai Theta II engine defect subject to federal recalls and Consent Orders. The vehicle previously received Recall Campaign 953 (KSDS software update), intended to detect premature rod bearing wear. The engine is currently knocking and has been diagnosed as requiring replacement. The vehicle and engine are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Rod bearing failure can cause sudden engine seizure or stall while driving, creating a significant crash risk due to loss of power steering and braking assist. Engine failure DID occurr despite prior recall software update, indicating potential recall remedy ineffectiveness. Sudden stalling in traffic placed myself and others at risk of collision. Dealer Confirmation: Hyundai of North Charleston confirmed through warranty history a prior engine replacement request (PA) was submitted by a previous owner but denied. The recall repair was never performed. Current diagnostic findings indicate engine failure consistent with known recall defect. However, Hyundai has refused to perform further inspection or goodwill repair solely due to the vehicle’s salvage branding. Inspection History: The vehicle has been inspected by a Hyundai dealership. No engine replacement was completed. Hyundai Customer Care has updated case notes but is declining remedy based on title status rather than mechanical condition. Warning Lamps/Symptoms: The vehicle previously received KSDS software update. Engine knocking developed consistent with rod bearing wear. The software did not provide effective prevention of engine failure. The engine now requires replacement. Hyundai is refusing recall-related remedy due to salvage title (predates my wonder ship by many years), despite federal recall obligations applying to the vehicle VIN. This complaint concerns potential failure of recall remedy effectiveness and denial of defect-related inspection.

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MS · 1 injury

My 2015 Sonata will stall out dropping speeds to 12-24 when i slightly merge, when I turn ect. Then it won’t accelerate for what seems like 10 minutes realistically 2 minutes maybe 3 Then will slowly regain speed. I’ve almost wrecked twice Share care with daughter and she’s been victim to it way way more. This is scary and Hyundai won’t stay behind their product Local dealership won’t fix recalls so we have to go over 120 miles for repairs. The recall isn’t even for transmission engine

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Fuel system · 55,300 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was parked on the side of the road and failed to immediately restart. The vehicle was later restarted and driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the local Auto Zone, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer to perform a diagnostic test. No further info was available, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,300.

Filed Nov 27, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL · fire

While I was driving at approximately 55mph, a loud clank happened and the car stalled, and smoke started pouring out of the hood and through the vents into the cabin, and I was leaving burning pieces behind on the road. I pulled over, ran to the back to get my dogs out of their crash tested kennels in the backseat, and both rear doors & passenger front door were locked. I ran up front to unlock them, and the unlock button did not work. I tried the unlock on the keys and it did not work. Due to having a recommended crash safe kennel set up it was not possible to crawl into the back to open it from the inside. My dogs were trapped in a car that was filled with smoke and on fire for over 2 minutes while I debated breaking the windows. I managed to fish a wire into the back to unlock and pull the door open from the inside of the back doors. The car stopped burning but was still smoking for several minutes after & I was able to clear the smoke to make it safe for my dogs to wait for a tow. When the mechanic looked at it he said the engine blew up due to the rod shattering into the block, destroying the entire engine and spilling oil which lit on fire. Mechanic recommended I contact Hyundai for engine replacement as this was a known issue with other 2015 Hyundai sonatas which were recalled due to risk of a defect rod knock causing the rod to shatter causing high speed stalling. Hyundai says my engine was not included in that specific recall. I included photo of the shattered rod which fell out when the mechanic lifted the vehicle

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Transmission · NY

The engine/powertrain on my 2015 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX] ) has failed due to extremely low compression in all four cylinders, causing severe misfires, hard starting, loss of power, and intermittent rattling noises, and the vehicle is currently available for inspection at the Hyundai dealership. This failure created a safety risk because the engine hesitates, struggles to start, and can stall or lose power during driving, which could lead to a loss of control or an inability to accelerate in traffic. The problem has been confirmed by both an independent mechanic and the Hyundai dealership, who documented low compression across all cylinders. The vehicle has been fully inspected by the dealership on Hyundai’s behalf after I opened a case with the manufacturer. Prior to the complete failure, the car showed warning symptoms such as repeated cylinder 4 misfires, rough starting, reduced power, rattling noises on startup, and the check engine light appearing several times beginning earlier this year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)