While driving on the highway, without any warning, an internal piece of my engine shot a hole through my engine block. Fire started shooting out of my engine and thankfully I was able to pull over and get out without the fire getting worse. The driver behind me pulled over and told me that he could see the fire under the car while driving behind me. He stopped traffic until we confirmed that the fire was out. The fire was still visible from the underside of my vehicle for a couple minutes but it stopped without the whole car igniting. I reported this incident to Hyundai usa. They assigned a case number to me but told me that the Hyundai dealership, that my car was towed to, did not see evidence of fire so they dropped the case. I told them that I had a witness, the driver behind me from the national guard, and they told me that it didn't matter because they didn't see fire damage and therefore couldn't validate my claim regardless of the witness. The car had no check engine light on, the oil was changed regularly, and there was no reason for the engine to suddenly, without warning, blow out the block and shoot fire. I can only assume that this was a very dangerous and potentially deadly manufacturing defect. My attempts to pressure Hyundai to check my engine again has only led to them to telling me that in 30 days they could get someone else to look at the engine to validate my claim.

- New Fairfield, CT, USA

On September 1, 2020, the engine started to slow down and make a crunching cracking noise about a mile later we came to a complete stop, on a main hwy.we had to call aaa to come get us. We had the police stay behind us until the tow truck came. It took 45 minutes due to the heavy traffic and time of day.

- Kitty Hawk, NC, USA

While driving down the highway Wednesday afternoon I heard a loud bang and I assumed that a rock had hit the side of my car. When I got home I checked but did not see any dents or scratches on that side. That evening I drove my car again on the highway and it stalled out while I was driving. I pulled over to the break down lane and turned it off. After about a minute I turned it back on and it started up fine and drove just fine the rest of the night and the next day. On Friday when I started driving down the road it made a very loud noise, which was a constant loud noise. I turned around and brought it home and called my mechanic. He checked the car and said that the engine needed to be replaced, which would cost more than what the car is currently worth. The car has less than 130,000 miles on it. I bring it in every 3 months for oil changes and make sure to do all of the recommended repairs.

- West Warwick, RI, USA

While driving on the hyway at 65 the engine seized and broke the engine block spraying oil onto the hot exhaust almost catching fire. This engine has been very well maintained and gave no warning signs of haveing a problem. A connecting rod bearing starved for oil and broke the rod. Hyundai was contacted and declined to inspect or investigate this engine failure and almost catching fire. They also declined to help with the repairs or costs I spoke to maria at Hyundai corporate and my case number with Hyundai was 17260696 also the avaliabillity of the replacement engine is limited to a short block because Hyundai does not have enough engines to replace them all that are going bad sadly my car is one year off from falling under the engine recall so im stuck footing the bill

- Baxter Springs, KS, USA

Very recently, the car has been stalling out with no warning, no odd sounds and no obvious reason as to why. I took the car to a well-known, trusted mechanic who was unable to find the cause, as the vehicle presented 0 fault codes. I was informed that I would have to drop the car off for a couple of days so that they could diagnose what the issue could be, and hopefully catch it happening. After doing so, I was then informed that it showed 0 signs of stalling while in their possession. In order to possibly find the issue, the car would have to be kept for more than just a couple of days, which would affect my job and the bill would most definitely be more than I could afford. The symptoms include the following... engine stalls while in idle at a stoplight. Engine stalls while stopping at stop signs. Engine stalls while driving in low speeds. Engine has a rough idle in morning and stalls within first mile of driving the vehicle. This has all been occuring for the past month. Every mechanic I speak to for help agrees it's a mystery issue and that the vehicle would have to be kept for a period of time for diagnostic measures. I'm not sure where else to turn. I use my vehicle daily for work and have never experienced anything like this before. Not only is it a very unsafe and dangerous issue, it literally scares the crap out of me, because when it happens, it's sudden with no warning. Tired of fearing for my life if stalled out in heavy traffic. It usually starts right back up, but at times it takes a minute or a few tries at times. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Same thing thats happened in 90% of the other complaints... driving, loud knocking sound and engine and power steering died on highway traveling 70mph... you're obviously very aware as I have just sat through and read the complaints all having the same issue with the engine some dying at 58,000 miles which is unheard of. I work at a mechanic shop. This is obviously a manufacturer defect and you refuse to take responsibility and are allowing people to drive around in unsafe cars.. we own 3 Hyundai right now. My grandparents own 4 themsleves... we are all going to sell them as fast as we possibly can and will never buy from your thieving dealerships again. Shame as we've been a Hyundai family for 30 years but you're all about greed now and failing to take responsibility or reimburse all of these families who are out of vehicles during this pandemic truly shows what you're company is all about. Dont buy from Hyundai if you're reading this. They'll recall something with the same issue as yours but claim it's a year behind or ahead of yours and refuse to cover it.. even with 238 complaints absolutely zero responsibility. Just read the complaints yourself.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

Engine rattle one day, engine seize up during downshift getting off expressway the next day. Crankshaft bolt will not rotate.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

Was driving my 2012 Santa Fe on rt 565 when the car started making a loud banging sound in the engine and the car just died. I was able to roll the car off to the shoulder before causing an accident. I had the car towed to my house where a mechanic looked at it and informed me the engine was shot and told me about this web site so I could see that there are multiple incidents similar to the one I experienced. I purchased this vehicle new from sussex Hyundai it currently has 108,000 miles I plan on going in tomorrow and speaking with them. With all the engine complaints and scenarios that could have resulted in accidents listed on this web site you would think that NHTSA or Hyundai would implement an engine recall. Hoping the dealer will go to bat for me and contact Hyundai America to fix my engine.

- Sussex, NJ, USA

Engine knock that caused engine to fail with less than 95,000 miles despite defaults maintenance.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

The engine went out at 50,000 miles and was replaced and then went out again at 105,000 miles. Same issue. Have contacted Hyundai and they will not do anything to help me. Engine stalled on freeway first time and almost caused a collision, 2nd time on freeway stalled at freeway speed and almost caused another collision.

- Washoe Valley, NV, USA

The vehicle stops running in the road without warning and is unable be restarted. Attempts to charge the battery fail. When taken to be evaluated by the brand dealership, they only change the battery and say that it has been fixed. Within 3-4 weeks, it will shut down in the road again. This has occurred four times, and each time, I take to be serviced and they are unable to reproduce the failing issue. I have reached out to corporate, and have quickly dismissed my case. There was a class action lawsuit in 2016 concerning the exact issues I am experiencing with the vehicle. I would think with this type of documented liability, there would have been a recall on the vehicles or a warning notice dealerships were required to present with the sale. I do not feel comfortable trading the car in as the issue will be transferred to another consumer.

- Dayton, OH, USA

Was driving 65 mph heading South to key largo. The car started vibrating and knocking. The car began to labor, I was able to pull it off the road before it quit completely. The motor died and wouldn't turn over. The battery appeared fine as radio, lights etc., were still working. There was no indication that the car overheated. I popped the, hood, checked my fluids which all seemed to be fine. I did note some oil on the ground and it appeared to have a drip from above. I towed the car to my mechanic. After looking it over, he told me to tow it to the dealer. I'm at just over 119,000 miles; he felt this may be covered. Upon initial diagnosis, the dealer determined that I have a hole in my engine block and it looks like the rod shot out of the block. The manufacturer said they are willing to pick up 60% of the repair which would leave me with a repair bill over the value of the vehicle. My insurance company did an investigation, today, and determined that the damage was mechanical and noted the crankshaft was broken. Mechanical failure is not covered by my insurance. The 2012 Santa Fe with the theta II engines should have been included in the theta II recall regardless of where it was manufactured. I feel for the Hyundai and Kia owners who continue to suffer through these continued engine problems making the car worthless.

- Palmetto Bay, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the alternator and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Consumer stated engine was replaced.

- Winter Spring, FL, USA

My car started to randomly stall without any notice or check engine light. I brought my vehicle to a mechanic and was told all I needed was an oil change. Then one day my car stalled on the highway. The police were notified by another vehicle because they thought my car was on fire. I cannot believe they havent recalled this engine yet. I could have been killed. I sat on the highway in the police car until the tow truck arrived because my car stalled in a bad location and was smoking. My car was towed to the nearest Hyundai dealership and is now going through diagnostic testing. Hyundai manufacturer was directly engaged and they are asking for photos of the engine. How about keeping people safe Hyundai and recall this engine as well and pay for the repairs as the next person this happens to may not make it out of their car to tell their story.... terrible horrifying incident.

- Hope, RI, USA

I was driving 65 mph on the highway. I heard a clunk in the engine and my oil light and check engine light came on. The car lost all power and now I'm told I need a new engine. Car only has 108,000 miles on it.

- Attleboro, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 45 mph there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. Additionally, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle was towed to two independent mechanics who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to coconut creek Hyundai 4960 North, fl-7, coconut creek, fl 33073 (888) 441-7737 where it was diagnosed that metal shaving were in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired the manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to hanlees hilltop Hyundai (510-222-8882, located at 3285 auto plaza, richmond, ca 94806) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 16263442. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

- Richmond, CA, USA

Was driving on the highway and heard a loud knocking. Pulled off exit ramp and continued to find a safe place to pull over. After pulling over into a parking lot, the knocking in the engine was much worse. Called for a tow and was towed to a garage. The repair garage stated the motor had spun a main bearing. ( the oil filter was safed). After they did there work I decided to attempt to drive it to a dealer ship. On my there the piston arm broke and went through the side of the block. Now the vehicle is no good.

- Ellington, CT, USA

Driving ca I580 westbound, bright sunny day (2:45pm 9/24/19) in 2012 Santa Fe with 111K miles on it. Going highway speed, without warning (no knocking, no acceleration issues) the engine shut down: Oil, battery and engine lights illuminated. Having no power steering, I muscled the car down the nearest off-ramp (coasting 3/4 mile, I was lucky to be in the far right lane). I had also owned a 2011 sonata that went thru 3 engine failures with symptoms (each time, acceleration issues, gearing hesitation and knocking occurred). With the Santa Fe, no such symptoms, it just shut down after running perfectly. I called roadside assistance and they tried to jump start the car -- no luck. A tow truck took the car to a local Hyundai dealership in dublin, ca. They determined that the crankshaft was frozen causing an engine seizure. I asked if this car was covered under the various engine recalls that have plagued numerous other Hyundai models and they said "no". so it seems I am another victim (4 times over; the sonata was lemon lawed) of Hyundai's engine shoddy manufacturing issues. I am awaiting the Hyundai service department's official report and cost analysis. I will be contacting Hyundai America's customer service tomorrow.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

I was driving down the interstate with cruise control set at 80 mph, when the engine started making a horrible sound. A sound as though it had no oil. I pulled off the interstate and had to have vehicle towed to the mechanic. I learned the engine blew a rod and needs to be replaced. 114,000 miles on it.

- Huntley, MT, USA