According to a recent class action settlement, millions of customers who drive Hyundai or Kia vehicles may qualify for a free replacement engine.
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Why did Hyundai recall some cars because of an engine problem?
Hyundai has recalled more than one million vehicles in close collaboration with NHTSA to resolve a manufacturing problem that might result in engine failure and, under some conditions, an engine fire.
There have been occurrences of stalling, which means the engine may stop operating while the car is being driven, even though the majority of events involving impacted vehicles have only had engine knocking.
Importantly, drivers can continue to manage their vehicles in this scenario since the airbags, steering, and brakes all continue to function.
Drivers are typically warned by warning lights and sounds as soon as an engine fails, and even if the engine may hesitate at first, they should have enough time to take the car off the road safely.
by the team and AP •• The American government’s highway safety department rewarded a whistleblower more than $24 million for information claiming that Hyundai and Kia took too long to recall more than 1 million cars with engine issues.
The award given to former Hyundai Motor engineer Kim Gwang-ho, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is the first one given to a whistleblower. Additionally, it is the highest amount permitted by a new government program that allows workers who disclose fraud to get up to 30% of the fines paid by the manufacturers.
Hyundai and Kia agreed to pay $137 million in fines and make safety upgrades in November 2020 to fix the engine issues.
In 2016, Kim complained to the NHTSA that Hyundai had neglected to fix a design problem with its Theta II engines, which were prone to freezing up and potentially catching fire. The agency discovered that the recall of the vehicles had been delayed by Hyundai and its Kia affiliate, and that the Korean automaker had given false information regarding the issues.
According to NHTSA’s deputy administrator Steven Cliff, “whistleblowers play a key role in providing information to NHTSA about major safety hazards that are kept from the agency.” “We are committed to compensating those who submit information to us,” the statement reads. “This information is important to public safety.”
After Hyundai recalled roughly 470,000 vehicles in September 2015 due to the possibility that manufacturing debris could obstruct oil flow to connecting rod bearings, the U.S. safety agency began an investigation into the matter in 2017. That might lead to the bearings wearing down and failing, which might result in the four-cylinder engines stalling or igniting. An costly engine block replacement was required for the fix.
According to NHTSA inquiry records, Hyundai only recalled engines manufactured before to April 2012, after which it claimed to have fixed the manufacturing issue. Additionally, Kia decided not to recall its cars and SUVs equipped with the same 2.4-liter and 2-liter “Theta II” engines since it claimed those vehicles were produced at an Alabama plant using a different assembly line.
more significant recalls involving Kia and Hyundai automobiles
An ECU reflash recall involving knock sensors in Kia and Hyundai automobiles was issued in 2019. Ten recalls have been conducted to address problems that led to non-crash fires and stalling in the past six years, and other Kia and Hyundai models have been the focus of inquiries, lawsuits, and investigations.
Hyundai recalled the 2013–2014 Santa Fe Sport and the 2011–2014 Sonata in 2015 and 2017 to address engine component flaws. Also recalled for the same reasons were the 2012–2014 Sorento, 2011–2014 Kia Optima, and 2011–2013 Sportage. To fix engine issues, over a million Kia and Hyundai cars have been recalled. The 2.4 liter and 2.0 liter turbocharged engines are among these. The risk was higher for older vehicles, and the 2.0-liter engines reported the highest frequency of non-crash fires.
Due to a failing anti-lock braking system that could result in an electrical shock and ultimately an engine compartment fire in 2019, Hyundai recalled select 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sports, 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Tucson, and 2019 Santa Fe XL vehicles. The 2014–2016 and 2016–2018 K900 Sportage models were recalled by Kia Motors America the same year owing to problems with the hydraulic electronic control unit that could result in an engine fire from an electrical short.
US regulators intensify their investigation into Hyundai-Kia engine fires and breakdowns
In 2012, a Hyundai Sonata is seen parked in a Hyundai showroom in Des Plaines, Illinois. Investigations into the engine fires that have afflicted Hyundai and Kia vehicles for more than six years have been intensified by U.S. auto safety regulators.
DEARBORN — Investigations into the engine fires that have afflicted Hyundai and Kia vehicles for more than six years have been intensified by U.S. auto safety regulators.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3 million automobiles from the model years 2011 through 2016 are included in a recent engineering study examination. 161 complaints of engine fires have been sent to the agency, some of which involved recalled automobiles.
Since the business issued an engine failure recall in September 2015, engine failures and flames have plagued Korean automakers’ vehicles. According to NHTSA records published on its website Monday, it has now issued at least eight additional recalls for a variety of engine issues.
The organization claims that it is starting the engineering analysis to determine whether earlier recalls covered enough automobiles. The effectiveness of earlier recalls will also be evaluated, as well as the long-term viability of linked programs and non-safety field operations being carried out by Hyundai and Kia.
Hyundai claimed in a prepared statement that it has “taken many proactive efforts to address engine issues, including executing several recalls, introducing a new engine monitoring system, providing extended warranties, and improving our customer service response.” Hyundai promotes a culture of openness and responsibility because customer safety comes first in all we do.
The Theta II GDI, Theta II MPI, Theta II MPI hybrid, Nu GDI, and Gamma GDI engines from the connected Korean automakers are involved in the vehicle fires. Hyundai’s Sonata, Santa Fe, and Elantra as well as Kia’s Sorento, Rio, Optima, and Soul are among the models covered. Covered model years range from 2011 until 2016.
According to the organization, three people have reported burns and eye injuries that didn’t need medical attention.
Because Kia and Hyundai took too long to recall more than 1 million vehicles with potentially dangerous engines, the NHTSA announced in November 2020 that they would be forced to pay $137 million in fines and make other safety measures. The sanctions end an investigation into the corporations’ actions regarding multiple model recalls going back to the 2011 model year.
For safety performance measures, Kia was required to pay $27 million and put $16 million into them. As long as Kia complies with safety requirements, a further $27 million payment will be postponed, according to NHTSA.
Despite denying the U.S. accusations, Kia claimed it wished to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.
A large number of recalls included production flaws that prevented oil from passing past the engine block. Many of them need pricey engine replacements.
Additionally, 3.7 million vehicles from Hyundai and Kia were the target of a U.S. “product enhancement program” to install software warning drivers of potential engine issues.
Are Hyundai’s engine issues still present?
A recall notice dated April 28, 2021 states that some Hyundai automobiles’ most current models had severely flawed engines. Piston oil rings that hadn’t been properly heat-treated were the root of the issue. Engines harmed by the faulty components are more likely to stall, which ups the likelihood of a collision (particularly if the stall occurs on the freeway or otherwise while driving in traffic or at high speeds). Additionally, oil leakage from the damaged parts onto hot exhaust components raises the possibility of a spontaneous fire.
The following vehicles are included in the 2021 recall:
- Elantra for 2019-2020
- 2019-2021 Kona
- Veloster 2019–2021
The recall, which carries the stated risk of engine failure brought on by the inadequately heat-treated piston oil rings, affects any of the aforementioned vehicles fitted with the covered 2.0L “Nu” MPI engines. On August 24, 2021, notices should have been mailed to the owners of the impacted automobiles.
Similar issues were discovered in specific model Kia vehicles between October 2020 and April 2021, which led to the recall. At least five fires that had been previously investigated and left with an unidentified root cause were linked to the newly discovered issue by Kia and federal safety regulators. Hyundai said that it was unaware of any proven injuries or collisions brought on by the defective engine, despite the fact that these five fires were linked to the same engine problem.
Hyundai, NHTSA, or dealers should be contacted regarding affected vehicle owners’ vehicles. Dealers will examine the engine and, if necessary, replace it without charging you anything. In the future, Hyundai will additionally update the Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software in the impacted vehicles.
The most recent recall comes after a recall in 2020 for specific Kona vehicles from that year. The incorrect certification labels that misrepresented the Gross Axle Weight Rating were the subject of the 2020 recall (GAWR). Failure to include the correct GAWR raises the possibility of an overloaded vehicle, which raises the possibility of an accident. Owners were urged to get updated label stickers that displayed a correct GAWR.
When did Hyundai address its engine issues?
According to papers from the NHTSA’s inquiry, Hyundai only recalled engines built before April 2012, claiming that it had fixed the production issue since then.
Did Hyundai renew the warranty on the engine?
Extension of U.S. Warranty The warranty period will be extended to June 30, 2020 for Hyundai customers in the U.S. whose 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty or 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty expires between March and June 2020.
What are Hyundai’s most frequent issues?
Since the engine is the heart of the car, having a malfunctioning one can be irritating and, frequently, scary. Engine issues with Hyundai automobiles are frequently reported. These issues can range from ticking or strange noises to stalling, cutting out, or seizing. The 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonata appear to have been most affected by these problems. Both the Sonata and Elantra have a history of internal electrics problems, which can lead to improper engine operation. To get you back on the road, any engine problems should be fixed right away.
How is Hyundai handling the recall of engines?
Model Year 2013 and 2014 Hyundai Sonata vehicles with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama will have their engines inspected and, if necessary, replaced as part of a safety recall by Hyundai in the United States.
Are Hyundai engines covered by a lifetime warranty?
I was conversing with a friend at the pub because we both enjoy automobiles. He informed me that Hyundai offers a lifetime warranty on all of its engines, but I was a little dubious about this. Is this accurate, or did he get this warranty wrong?
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
Hyundai’s engines would have a lifetime warranty in an ideal world, but that is not the reality. Hyundai offers new customers a powertrain warranty that is among the most generous, covering the first 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The drivetrain, transmission, engine, and other parts are all covered by this warranty.
With this guarantee, Hyundai surpasses virtually every other automaker in the sector as having the greatest warranty in America. Additionally, it has a six-year, 50,000-mile basic guarantee that, like a bumper-to-bumper warranty, covers almost all of the car’s components as long as the issue isn’t the result of normal wear and tear or maintenance.
Even if the Hyundai warranty program is among the best available, make sure you also purchase a reliable auto insurance plan. The Jerry app can be useful at such point.
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