2019 Hyundai Sonata: won't start

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Engine · NJ

On January 26, 2026, my 2019 Hyundai Sonata SEL suddenly became inoperable overnight. The vehicle had been operating normally with no warning signs—no check-engine or oil-pressure light, abnormal engine noise, overheating, loss of power, or other indication of an impending failure. The following morning, the engine would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on January 28, 2026, who determined that the engine was locked/seized. On February 11, 2026, it was towed to Wayne Hyundai for further diagnosis. The vehicle had only 51,533 miles and had received Hyundai’s Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update. Hyundai denied warranty coverage, citing engine sludge, despite my providing a complete service history after resubmiting the missing receipts I had previously misplaced. My primary concern is safety, not the warranty dispute. A sudden engine seizure without warning could cause an unexpected loss of propulsion or create a dangerous situation if the engine fails while the vehicle is being driven. This concerns me because Hyundai Theta II engines have previously been associated with engine seizure and stalling, including issues addressed through The Hyundai Theta II Engine Settlement: and subsequent litigation involving certain 2019 Sonata vehicles. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate whether a continuing or insufficiently addressed engine defect exists in affected 2019 Hyundai Sonata vehicles, particularly sudden engine seizure/no-start failures occurring without warning. I also ask the federal safety agency to examine whether existing recalls, campaigns, software updates, warranty extensions, and other remedies adequately protect owners when an engine fails suddenly before the KSDS system provides a warning.

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

On April 14, 2026, my 2019 Hyundai Sonata was parked at a retail store parking lot. Returning from the store, I attempted to start the car, and it did not start. I attempted to start it again, and I saw smoke coming out from under the hood. I immediately exited the vehicle and opened the hood. I saw open flames coming out of the engine area, about 4” high. I called 911 and waited about 10 minutes for the fire department to arrive. During this time, the flames engulfed the entire engine compartment and extended vertically above the hood height. The hood eventually melted and fell back onto the engine area. The fire department came and put out the fire. The car is totaled. There were no injuries, thank God!

Filed Jun 25, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Car has 39,495 miles. First owner of vehicle. Have advised dealership since 2024 that there was a oil issue as i have only went to them for oil changes. I advised that as they can see the car is barely driven and the oil is disappearing. They claimed nothing was wrong and made me pay for a oil change again. Come this year, I advise again there is a issue, they tried to have me pay for a oil change again and I advised something else needs done. They argued I was not the first owner and the car was not in warranty however I bought the car from their lot and I am the original owner. Then they stated I had to pay for another oil change for the oil consumption. Then they claimed they would just do the oil consumption and then to drive 1,000 miles and bring it back. After the oil consumption engine light is on. I drove 1,000 miles, brought it back and the engine failed the test. The dealership changed the engine. 5 days later engine light is on, car is stalling and brake locked up, then car would not start and was smoking under the hood. Car was then towed to the dealership. They claimed nothing is wrong and they reset the code for the engine light to go away. They stated evap code was on but was not persistent so it's fine. Few days later engine light comes on again and once the car has been running, you shut it off go to start it again it won't start unless you have it sit for a while. I Take it back to the dealership they point next to the engine saying a purge valve, but the wants money for a diagnostic. They do the diagnostic and still provide maybes, as they claim the filler neck is rusted and corrosion. I take the car to another place who states the filler neck is fine.

Filed Feb 25, 2025 · Engine · OH

My Hyundai is having oil consumption issues, Hyundai isn't stepping up and won't pay for my consumption test saying it's out of warranty, it's a 2019 with only 69895 miles on it. We are the second owner and there's been no maintenance done on this car for the year that we've owned it. We have all the oil change records and although we didn't start until January to regularly record the oil we were needing to put in we only get about 600 miles before we need to had 3/4 to 1 full quart. I know this is an issue that's been happening to numerous Hyundai owners and I'm reaching out as I feel something more needs to be done. I have a 2013 Sonata that had a recall on it and I got a full engine replacement on that at 135,000 miles. Is the federal safety agency looking at recognizing this as something that Hyundai needs to take ownership of? I apologize for rambling, but this is so frustrating. Thank you for your time, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 2, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

car was jerkikg yesterday and now it wont start

Filed May 1, 2020 · Electrical · 250 miles · CA

Newly leased vehicle. Within the first two weeks and less than 300 miles the vehicle failed to start on two different days in the morning. The brake pedal was hard and car would not start. After more than 5 attempts it finally started. It was parked in the garage. Vehicle has been at the service department for 3 days and have not been able to diagnose since they can't replicate it.