2016 Hyundai Sonata: engine knocking or ticking

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 4, 2026 · Engine · UT

While driving on the freeway, the check engine light started flashing and the gas pedal became useless. This put the driver and the passenger of the car in massive danger as they could no longer accelerate on the freeway. Luckily, they were able to get off the freeway without causing an accident. Upon reading the code at an auto shop, they discovered that it was P1326 or a knock sensor issue. This malfunction caused the car to go into limp mode and put the passengers in serious danger. Several calls to the Hyundai Service Center were made yesterday (Saturday, October 3rd). However, not one was ever answered. They hope to be able to get the car to the dealership's service center as soon as possible, but the earliest appointment online is multiple weeks away. This same car was recently at the dealership service center for an internal engine oil consumption problem and thoroughly inspected. The car is up to date on all software and recalls. Even though a valve cover replacement fixed the oil consumption issue, the owners are now having even worse issues. This is the only car for a married couple who are both working and going to college full-time. This issue has been a severe complication to their scheduling, and they were put in harm's way on the freeway.

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 25, 2026 · Engine · WA

Component & Inspection: Vehicle engine suffered connecting rod bearing failure and entered restricted P1326 "Limp Home Mode" (max 2,000 RPM). The vehicle is grounded and available for inspection at Bud Clary Hyundai in [XXX].Safety Risk: Sudden, unexpected loss of power occurred while driving, placing me and other drivers at immediate risk on public roads due to the vehicle's inability to maintain normal traffic speed or safely accelerate.Dealer & Corporate Confirmation: Active P1326 engine code is confirmed. Car has been held for 14 days. The franchise is violating federal settlement rules by explicitly refusing to execute the mandatory, free mechanical Bearing Clearance Test (BCT) unless I pay out-of-pocket fees.Inspection & Corporate Compliance Failure: Car was brought to the dealer on XXX. The service manager admitted in writing that they are withholding safety diagnostics to protect shop labor hours due to an automated computer flag regarding a clerical title brand discrepancy. Hyundai Corporate is actively enabling this violation; my case manager refuses to issue a manual compliance override for the safety test and is violating federal settlement terms by withholding my contractually mandated alternative transportation.Warning Lamps & Symptoms: Flashing Check Engine Light and limp home mode triggered instantly and unexpectedly on XXX. There were zero warning symptoms, messages, or abnormal noises prior to that date 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 Apr 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

I am writing about my concerns on a 2016 Hyundai Sonata SE that I purchased for my daughter in October 2023. After purchasing I took it to my local Hyundai dealer to have it checked out. It was one of the cars that came with a lifetime warranty for the rods DO TO A DEFECT.On January 2024 my daughter was driving on the freeway when all of a sudden it just stopped accelerating and when checked it was a Knock sensor detection system. The dealer took it in and inspected and said it was a defective sensor and replaced it.This made me uncomfortable as I felt the sensor did its job and it was just a matter of time before the rod blew through.During the next few months it became very apparent that the car was going through unbelievable amounts of oil.It had a ticking so we replaced all the spark plugs and noticed oil saturating the plugs and realized a leak in the valve cover gasket which was also replaced.We thought this might be the cause but no oil was on the ground and nowhere on the engine.I just thought it was burning oil but no indicator lights were going off. The car could have no oil and it would not let us know. She's lucky to drive 300 miles a month.She has complained of a strong gas oder and we replaced 2 gas caps and went back to the Hyundai dealer.They told us there's a problem with the fuel filter and pump.If we pay $273 of inspections it might cover it if it's a failing part, and when I did the oil change the car was very low on oil despite the fact that we check it monthly and put 3 quarts of oil in the car.Her car is consuming 3-4 quarts of oil per every 250 miles.This could cause her engine to fail and possibly throw a rod which given the fact she has already taken out one Knock sensor it is just waiting to happen.So as oil disappears every few hundred miles without a warning the engine locks up and if a rod punches through onto the exhaust this can cause it to stall and potentially catch on fire especially when it wreaks of gas from the fuel filter.

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 Mar 18, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · SC

I contact the Hyundai dealer about my 2016 Hyundai sonata. for all I know those vehicles have recalls with engine failure/stalling due to premature rod bearing wear, fire risks from malfunctioning electric oil pumps. My car is having those exact problems with the abs lights being on and is also have problems with the VVT sprocket. And the oil I called Hyundai and they said my vehicle only has a recall with the JUNCTION BOX. But my car is unable to go over 60. And is unsafe to drive and the recalls with that type of model car is the same recalls I am having and soon as I've bought the car and had it for some time i am starting to have those problems so I would like to know what’s going on because it is unsafe and I can’t even drive my vehicle I also have a blinking check engine light. I’ve wanted to report this now incase risk of a fire because I’ve did my research and realize these cars that have these type of problems are known for catching on fire.

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Engine · WI

Car burning oil and engine started knocking no warning lights ever came on prior to knocking noise. Brought to mechanic and engine has failed. Vehicle has less that 130,000 miles on it.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · NE

code P1326 unable to accelerate, drive past 1st gear and knocking noise in engine area engine could stall out or lock up if problem is not fixed 3/14/2026- started engine light blinking warning light also code p1326 has had recalls for this particular car brand

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Engine · FL

While driving in normal traffic, the engine experienced a sudden and significant loss of power and went into a reduced-power “limp” mode. The check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stored an active P1326 diagnostic trouble code related to the engine/Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Because this occurred in live traffic, the sudden power loss created an unsafe situation that increased the risk of a collision, as the vehicle could not accelerate or keep pace with surrounding vehicles. This issue appears to be directly related to Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 22-EM-001H-1, which addresses known engine defects and P1326 activation in this model and engine. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership in West Palm Beach, Florida for inspection, where the code was verified and documentation (including oil change records) was requested. The vehicle has approximately 89,000–90,000 miles. After the dealership inspection, I received an email from Hyundai Motor America Consumer Affairs [XXX] ) stating: “This is Hyundai’s final position in this matter, and we are unable to offer any assistance with regard to this claim.” I believe this position is incorrect, as the symptoms and P1326 activation align with the conditions outlined in TSB 22-EM-001H-1, which Hyundai is supposed to honor when these failures occur. To my knowledge, the vehicle/component has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. The check engine light and reduced power symptoms first appeared at the time of the incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Engine started rough idling and knocking. Took to a mechanic who found metal particulate in the oil and the engine spun a bearing.