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.
In This Article...
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.
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.
Tesla Robot Demonstrates Some Skills, But Some Robotics Insiders Find It Lackluster
NHTSA stated when it began the inquiry that 18 months after the 2015 recall, both automakers announced the recall of 1.2 million additional vehicles for the same issue, including models that the companies had initially claimed weren’t involved.
Over 8 million Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners have had engine failure and fire issues as a result of these issues, which have persisted for more than five years.
Two further automaker-related investigations that the NHTSA started in June 2018 are still active. According to the organization, owners had reported more than 3,100 fires, 103 injuries, and one fatality. It granted a plea for the investigations submitted by the consumer advocacy nonprofit Center for Auto Safety.
The center’s executive director, Jason Levine, claimed that they petitioned NHTSA for a probe since it appeared that no one was paying attention to the complaints of owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Nearly 3 million vehicles throughout the model lineups of the associated Korean manufacturers were subject to the new investigations, one for Hyundai and the other for Kia, which focused on non-crash fires.
NHTSA stated in papers that it had received reports of fires in the engine compartment as well as fires involving various other parts, such as tail light housings, wire harnesses, and light bulbs.
Later, the associated Korean automakers admitted that dealers might not have always replaced engine blocks correctly. According to Kia, during the repairs, a pipe delivering high-pressure gasoline may have been damaged, misaligned, or tightened improperly, allowing gas to leak and strike hot engine components, starting more fires.
More than 500,000 vehicles made by Hyundai and Kia are being recalled due to engine fire concerns.
Following were more recalls. More than 4.7 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been recalled, and they conducted a “product enhancement program” affecting an additional 3.7 million to install software that will warn drivers of potential engine issues.
Since 2015, Hyundai and Kia have issued 31 U.S. recalls for fire and engine-related issues, according to data gathered by the Center for Auto Safety. More than 20 models, totaling more than 8.4 million cars, from the model years 2006 through 2021 are included in the recalls.
In some instances, like the almost 200,000 vehicles that were recalled in September due to electrical shorts in the braking system, the automakers advised owners to store their cars outside since fires could start when they are turned off. Additionally, there were recalls for items that could catch fire inside engines, such as fuel pump cracks, defective catalytic converters, and brake fluid leaks.
In a statement, Kim, who is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, expressed his desire for his reports to result in “genuine safety improvements, both within Hyundai and across the industry.”
“I am thankful that the U.S. legal system had a program in place to make this feasible and I am pleased that I have been fairly compensated for the risks I took to protect owners of these dangerous autos.” said Mr. Kim.
8 out of 10 Electrical Issues
Electrical difficulties are a common occurrence in modern vehicles, especially Hyundai vehicles. According to Hyundai Problems, the Elantra and Sonata are the models that are most susceptible to electrical issues.
More frequently than most other failures, owners of these Hyundais have reported the engine not turning over. Additionally, there have previously been recalls due to issues with electrical outlets in the cabin overheating. Hyundai sedans should be avoided if you want to prevent electrical issues.
Newer Hyundai Models More Prone to Fires and Engine Failure
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. 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. 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.
Do Hyundai vehicles have engine issues?
These kinds of breakdowns have increased in frequency, with thousands of Hyundai and Kia customers in recent years reporting serious engine issues that can be fixed for thousands of dollars.
Do Hyundai cars from 2022 have engine issues?
The engines in the 2022 Hyundai Tucson have serious issues, according to complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA has already received 19 complaints in the Engine category. Four more complaints in the Unknown or Other category are extremely similar to the first four.
What are some typical Hyundai 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.
Hyundai engines are they dependable?
The most important features that most buyers consider when buying a car are dependability and durability. Given the large investment that buying a car entails, it stands to reason that owners would want to ensure that their purchase will last for several years. The typical engine life of a Hyundai ranges from 250,000 to 400,000 kilometers. Your car’s engine might last 15 to 20 years in top condition, depending on how much you drive each day. However, there are a few things that you will need to do on your end to keep the engine of your automobile in good operating order if you want to be sure that it can survive that long.