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.
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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.
Engine issues with models from Kia and Hyundai
The Theta II engine has a history of several issues. The concerns include faults with the anti-lock braking system, melted engine wires, and smoke and burning scents coming from the engine. These engines blowing up with low mileage are depicted in numerous YouTube videos. Even with Kia and Hyundai vehicles that have followed the recommended maintenance cycles, these incidents are still present.
Even with routine oil changes and engine care, several Sonata and Optima owners have complained of tapping and knocking engines. Unfortunately, several cars have been sold to second or third owners who are unaware of their models’ well-kept secrets. The good news is that those who know about the free engine replacement might no longer be required to pay exorbitant costs for engine maintenance. Instead, the extended warranty will make it possible for them to purchase new, better-performing engines.
Which Hyundai vehicles have engine issues?
Engine breakdowns are arguably the worst scenario and the last thing you should be concerned about when buying a new car! Unfortunately, there are a few engine problems with the new Hyundai vehicles.
According to Hyundai Problems, the Hyundai Sonata is the model that is most troubled. Many customers report their engines shutting out, seizing, stopping, or making noises. Those are not the best signs to look for when buying a new car, but fortunately, the worst years are 2011 and 2012.
What year did Hyundai recall its 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.
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.
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?
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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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Hyundais: are they durable?
According to Vehicle History, the Hyundai Tucson should endure for about 200,000 miles, or roughly 15 years. A 2009 Tucson with 218,000 miles was posted to Vehicle History by its owner. A second poster on the Edmunds forum mentioned owning a 2007 Tucson with 200,000 miles on it.
According to The Drive, Hyundai is one of the automakers with a reputation for producing durable vehicles. It joins brands like Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Ford, and Acura in producing durable automobiles.
Are the engines in Kia and Hyundai the same?
There are many parallels between Hyundai and Kia. Both companies are situated in South Korea and have comparable product lines. In actuality, Hyundai Motor Company owns 34% of Kia Motors. Many of these vehicles share engineering, platforms, and powertrains. Hyundai and Kia, however, run their businesses separately. Each brand continues to operate its own design studios, engineering team, sales team, and marketing division. Having said that, there are really more positive similarities between the two brands than negative ones, which is good. Both manufacturers produce luxurious cars with excellent warranties that their owners adore. Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware of these minor variations so that you can make an educated decision.
What Hyundai engines are subject to a recall?
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.