2016 Hyundai Sonata: engine failure

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine, Steering · FL

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding severe vehicle instability, structural safety risks, and dealership workmanship negligence following a federal safety recall engine replacement. My vehicle received a new engine block under a federal campaign at a local dealership. Immediately upon picking up the vehicle, the front suspension developed a severe, heavy mechanical knocking and bumping noise over road surfaces under 20 mph, making the vehicle structurally unstable and hazardous to drive. To perform this engine swap, technicians were physically required to drop the front subframe framework and disconnect the lower suspension linkages and steering column components. The dealership is actively trying to deflect safety accountability for an assembly error. They issued a new estimate attempting to charge me over $3,200 to replace the entire front strut and rear shock assembly, claiming it is a 'pre-existing wear-and-tear' issue due to mileage. However, I hold the dealership's official Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection report from when the car was first dropped off for the engine failure three weeks prior. In that mandatory baseline safety report, their own technician thoroughly checked the under-carriage and officially marked my 'Shock Absorbers / Suspension' and 'Steering Gear Box / Linkage and Boots' as PASSED with green checkmarks. This objective paper trail proves the front chassis was tight, silent, and structurally safe before the repair. The safety hazard was introduced solely during the dealership's engine reassembly. The Service Manager explicitly refused to step out of his office to address this safety complaint, and the dealership released a compromised, structurally unsafe vehicle to a consumer. I request a formal federal safety investigation into this branch's safety compliance regarding recall implementation.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Engine · 60,436 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. While the contact's daughter was driving 55 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact's two minor grandchildren were inside the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact was informed about the eligibility for the extended warranty under Campaign 953. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the extended warranty because the Campaign 953 was not completed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,436.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine · TX

The vehicle experienced a Theta II engine failure at under 57,830 miles while driving on northbound [XXX] near the [XXX] Parkway U-turn in [XXX]. The engine made a loud noise and lost power. I was able to coast to the far right side of the U-turn under the bridge. I called HERO (Austin's emergency roadside assistance). They responded, determined it was not a battery issue, and pushed the vehicle to the Southern Leisure Spa parking lot on the southbound side of the road. The vehicle was then towed. The vehicle is equipped with the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update, installed as part of Hyundai's remedy for this known defect. Despite KSDS being installed, the engine failed due to connecting rod bearing wear, consistent with the documented Theta II defect. A Hyundai dealership confirmed KSDS was installed but denied the warranty claim, citing maintenance records. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The Theta II engine defect has been the subject of prior the federal safety agency investigations and Hyundai recalls. This complaint is filed to document another failure of the same defect in a vehicle with the manufacturer's remedy installed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Engine · PA

My Sonata 2016 suddenly lit up the Check Engine icon, which was blinking. It is available for inspection request, as it's in the shop right now. Added 2 qts of oil just to be safe. Was hoping the light would go away in the morning. It didn't. The car was sputtering and jerking while I was attempting to get where I was going, so I drove a little slower so it wouldn't stall out, which would have caused someone behind me to crash into me if it stopped suddenly. My mechanic said it was engine failure, possibly due to oil burning. Hyundai Dealer told me there is no recall for this issue, but my mechanic said there had been. I was never notified of such, and when I called them, they said that there was no recall, and she acted like she had never heard of the problem. I find that amazing, since on your website, there are some 717 claims of the same problem.

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

My 2016 Hyundai Sonata (VIN: [XXX]) has a serious safety issue involving excessive engine oil consumption. The vehicle loses oil rapidly between changes and requires frequent top‑offs to avoid engine damage. This creates a risk of sudden engine failure while driving. The dealership, South Charlotte Hyundai (10518 Cadillac Street, Pineville, NC 28134), refused to perform Hyundai’s official oil‑consumption test. Instead, they told me to pay $750 for a combustion cleaning and stated it would not fix the underlying problem. They would not document the refusal or provide any testing. I contacted Hyundai Corporate multiple times: • May 21, 2026 – Executive Office complaint submitted • June 3, 2026 – Follow‑up sent • June 29, 2026 – Regional escalation sent My Hyundai case number is XXX. As of XXX Hyundai has not responded to any of my Executive Office or Regional escalations. Only Customer Care replied with a template denial and no investigation. I have been waiting over two months with no action from Hyundai Corporate. I am reporting this because the manufacturer has not addressed a safety‑related defect, the dealership refused required testing, and the vehicle continues to consume oil abnormally. I am requesting the federal safety agency’s assistance in documenting this defect and Hyundai’s lack of response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Engine · MN

My 2016 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L suffered an in-transit engine failure and entered emergency limp mode with an active P1326 rod bearing defect code, which is a recognized fire and safety hazard under the federal safety agency mandates. Service Campaign 953 was successfully completed on August 12, 2019, qualifying the vehicle for a lifetime settlement engine replacement. Walser Hyundai Brooklyn Park (RO #257457) has issued an administrative denial based solely on a prior-salvage title flag from a cosmetic theft recovery. The manufacturer is actively stalling a court-ordered federal safety recall remedy based on an administrative title brand, despite the engine compartment being structurally original and undamaged. Hyundai Corporate Case #42869828 is open but unresolved.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NC

My 2016 Hyundai Sonata is experiencing severe oil consumption due to a known Hyundai engine defect. The engine burns oil rapidly and loses more than a quart between oil changes. This creates a safety hazard because the engine can stall, seize, or fail while driving. The Hyundai dealership did NOT perform the official Hyundai oil-consumption test. They only checked the dipstick, noted the oil was low, and submitted a request for a paid combustion cleaning. Hyundai declined to pay for the cleaning, and the dealership is refusing to perform the required oil-consumption test unless I pay $750.00. Hyundai Corporate also refused to authorize the test, stating the vehicle is out of warranty, even though this is a known engine defect affecting many Hyundai vehicles. Without the official test, Hyundai will not review the engine defect or consider a goodwill engine replacement. This is a safety issue because the engine can fail without warning. The dealership and Hyundai are refusing to perform the required diagnostic test unless I pay $750, and refusing to review the defect without that test.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine · MD

Our Car is 2016 with 97000 miles with engine failure. Previous driving noticed the Engine will slow down suddenly at times. Preston Hyundai Dealer says bad engine cylinder $6000 is a fire hazzard and needs new engine. I see Hyundai sold 199000 2016 Sonatas and replaced 129000 bad engines. They gave a 120000 mile warranty to the 2016 cars. Hyundai said my car in not on the recall list so they will not pay for an engine. The dealer said the engine rods look okay. An engine should last longer than 97000 miles! Please help! [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] My INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

I have a car covered by the Theta II Settlement. Engine, fuel system. Metal shavings found in oil and oil is diluted with fuel and oil if overfilled 1 inch above full mark on dipstick upon pickup from dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection at my residence; however, it is currently grounded as a known safety hazard. The vehicle is exhibiting symptoms of imminent engine failure (audible knocking, P0011 code, and oil dilution). Despite being shown evidence of this(photo and video of oil overfill and watery viscosity) , the manufacturer instructed me to continue operating the vehicle, placing myself, and other drivers at risk of a high-speed collision or vehicle fire. The symptoms (P0011 code and engine noise) were confirmed by an independent mechanic on March 25th 2026. However, during the official Bearing Clearance Test (BCT), the dealership intentionally overfilled the engine oil by 3 quarts (documented via photograph) to muffle mechanical noise and artificially pass the diagnostic and issued a pass on all inspections despite the oil hazard. Hyundai Corporate Case Manager Nikulmar Dhabi has admitted on record that the dealer was out of compliance by "being outside the standard notification time" yet they refuse to provide a safety-compliant remedy. Warning Symptoms & Appearance: Symptoms first appeared months ago when I repeatedly got a P0011 code, however On march 24th 2026 I received an engine light with a P0011 and the car going into limp mode while i drove. Warning signs included a persistent Check Engine Light (P0011) and audible metallic knocking. Upon checking the oil myself after the dealer "inspected" it, I discovered the oil was 3 quarts over the "Full" line, which is a deceptive practice used to mask rod bearing failure.

Filed Apr 16, 2026 · Engine · PA

I am submitting this complaint regarding Hyundai Motor America’s denial of my request for engine replacement assistance. I own a 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with approximately 106,000 miles. The vehicle experienced sudden engine failure while driving which put my daughter, in danger and is now inoperable. I still have a remaining loan balance, and the cost to replace the engine is significant. I am the second owner of this vehicle. Prior to my ownership, it was a government vehicle. Hyundai requested maintenance records from before I purchased the vehicle; however, I do not have access to those records, as they were not provided at the time of purchase. Since owning the vehicle, I have maintained it responsibly and submitted all available maintenance records from my period of ownership outside of work issued directly to the state. My request for assistance was denied based on a determination of “exceptional maintenance neglect.” I respectfully dispute/ disputed this conclusion. I do not believe the engine failure was due to neglect, and I was not provided with clear documentation or evidence supporting this determination.

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · Engine · TX

*Engine failure-needs a new engine *The car turned off while I was driving it on the freeway, I managed to steer the car to the shoulder, almost caused an extremely dangerous accident due to traffic and speed limit. *Took it to a Hyundai dealership in Irving, TX 3x about 3 years about excessive oil consumption, they ignored the requests for a solution. I stopped going to the dealership due to time constraints, and them not wanting to acknowledge the issue. The engine was consuming 2-3 quarts every 2 weeks. Finally the engine gave out last week. Car has around 153k miles but the issue started when the vehicle had around 100k miles . * Engine oil would turn on sometimes for a short time. I had several mechanics inspect the vehicle and all would tell me that it was just oil consumption due to a known issue with Hyundai engines.

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Engine · FL

The failure involves the engine, which has seized (locked up) and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle became unsafe when it stopped operating in traffic, creating a potential hazard to myself and others due to the sudden loss of power and inability to move the vehicle. The issue has been confirmed by both a dealership and an independent service center, both of which determined that the engine has failed and requires repair or replacement. The vehicle has also been inspected by the manufacturer as part of the claim process. There were no prior warning lights, messages, or indicators before the failure occurred.