Engine owner reports: Hyundai Tucson years in the records

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“JULY 2018 CAR BEGAN MAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING ON AND BACKING UP. THE NOISE WENT AWAY WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND THEY COULDN'T DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM BEGAN GETTING WORSE, MENTIONED IT AT NEXT OIL CHANGE. NOW MIND YOU, I DRIVE A LOT!! CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS 83K. BETWEEN JULY AND DECEMBER 2018 THE CAR RECEIVED MINIMUM OF 4 OIL CHANGES ALL DONE AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHO SAYS IT'S NORMAL EVEN WHEN I COMPLAINED OF SMELLING GAS. AFTER RETURNING TO VA FROM MI, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH ALL TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING, SPEEDOMETER JUMPED WHERE EVER IT WANTED IF IT WANTED TO MOVE AT ALL. TOOK TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSIS WAS BAD VACUUM PUMP. IT WAS REPLACED AND SAID ALL MY DRIVING ISSUES AND GAS SMELL WOULD STOP. NOPE....TOOK BACK IN, DIAGNOSIS IS FAULTY EXHAUST MANIFOLD. REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER IT STARTS TO ACT UP AGAIN LIKE IT DID THE FIRST TIME.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“On [July 4, 2025], while driving, my vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power followed by smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire required emergency response and caused significant damage to the vehicle. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the incident posed a serious risk to my safety and others on the road. I had not received any prior warning signs such as engine knocking or warning lights. The fire appears to be directly related to the known defect outlined in Recall 209. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this incident and ensure Hyundai is held accountable for the full scope of this defect, including fire risk. I am also seeking assistance in ensuring Hyundai provides appropriate compensation or resolution for the damages caused.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH DOWN A ROAD PREPARING TO MERGE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT FAILED. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT GATHERED SOME OF HER BELONGINGS AS THE SMOKE TURNED GRAY AND GOT 20 FEET AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE FLAMES NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A BYSTANDER ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER MEANWHILE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER DUE TO THE INCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HER CHILD WOULD RIDE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SAFETY SEAT WAS DESTROYED DURING THE FIRE. THE CHILD WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE) BY ROUTE 2 HYUNDAI DEALER (743 NORTH MAIN STREET, LEOMINSTER, MA 01453, (978) 534-9999) IN MAY OF 2019 DUE TO THE INITIAL FAILURE IN JANUARY OF 2019 WHERE THE ENGINE BLEW UP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, BUT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED WHICH LEAD TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE MOST RECENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS INTERMITTENTLY MAKING NOISES AGAIN AFTER EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS FIXED AND ALSO INTERMITTENTLY RELEASING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE CARBON MONOXIDE READING, BUT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO UPLOAD.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal knocking sound was heard coming from under the hood, and the RPMs independently increased. The "Check Engine Oil" warning light illuminated. The contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle was towed to a local Midas shop, where it was diagnosed with total engine failure.The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, who discovered metal shavings in the engine oil pan during diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired due to the high cost. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with an unknown NHTSA Campaign number. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“#1. This vehicle uses a lot of oil !!! It burns through it like crazy I have to check the oil every other day. #2. When I come to a stop while driving and give it gas to take off IT WONT GO !!!!! It hesitates and when it does go it LUNGES FORWARD!! This is a huge manufacturer problem not a buyer problem. The engine is junk.! 3. I’ve called numerous places to get help. This car needs to be recalled. This is a huge safety violation. It doesn’t wanna go when you give it gas and when it does, it lunges forward that can cause a huge accident on the highways. This car was made in China. It is junk. I’ve called to get help with this issue and no one wants to help. Nobody returns my calls and I’ll Hyundai wants to do is it even more money out of me when this isn’t my fault the car is junk. For safety concerns I would like someone to call me at [XXX]. This car needs to be recalled and my daughter has one. It’s doing the same thing except hers is a lot worse. Hers is further advance where it’s actually stalling in the middle of the road while driving huge safety violation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“I am filing a safety complaint regarding my Hyundai vehicle after experiencing a sudden engine failure that appears consistent with known rod bearing and engine defects affecting certain Hyundai engines. While driving, my vehicle began making a knocking noise and shortly thereafter suffered catastrophic engine failure. The engine lost power and became inoperable, requiring the vehicle to be towed. This failure occurred without any prior indication that the engine was about to fail. My concern is that this type of engine failure creates a significant safety hazard because it can occur unexpectedly while driving, potentially causing a loss of power in traffic and increasing the risk of a crash. The dealership inspected the vehicle and engine but did not report excessive sludge buildup. I have provided available maintenance records showing that oil changes were performed during my ownership. Despite this, there appears to be disagreement regarding the cause of the failure. I am aware of reports involving rod bearing and engine failures in similar Hyundai vehicles and believe NHTSA should investigate whether this failure is related to a broader manufacturing or design defect. The cost of replacing the engine is substantial, and consumers may be placed at risk if these failures occur while vehicles are being operated on public roads. I am requesting that NHTSA review this issue and determine whether additional investigation, recalls, or other corrective actions are warranted. Vehicle Information: Year: 2017 Make: Hyundai Model: Tucson Mileage at Failure: Approximately 72,000 miles Date of Failure: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“Catastrophic engine failures AT 57k miles while driving, resulted in engine replacment under recall warranty. Timing chain replacement done at 93K miles. Second Engine failure while driving at 107K. Hyundai refuses to fix the engine.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“2017 Hyundai Tucson | VIN: [XXX] | Mileage: 75,000 I have owned this vehicle for approximately five years and have experienced severe excessive oil consumption for the past two to three years. The issue was first discovered when the vehicle entered protective mode due to critically low oil levels despite a routine oil change having been performed only a few months prior. I am currently required to add approximately one quart of oil every month to maintain safe operating levels. I visited an authorized Hyundai dealership to have an oil consumption test performed. The dealership informed me that if the test confirmed excessive consumption, I would be required to pay out of pocket for an engine replacement. I declined, as Hyundai Motor America has publicly acknowledged this exact defect in the 2017 Tucson through NHTSA Recall 21V727000, multiple Technical Service Bulletins, and a class action settlement covering 2014-2021 Tucson vehicles with the Nu 2.0-liter GDI engine. My VIN was found ineligible on the class action settlement website despite the acknowledged defect. Hyundai has admitted this engine suffers from premature bearing wear, excessive oil consumption, and risk of engine failure and fire. I am requesting NHTSA investigate why my VIN falls outside current recall coverage despite presenting identical symptoms to affected vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The engine (connecting rod bearings in the 2.0L Nu GDI engine) failed. The vehicle entered limp mode with DTC P1326, then died on the road and the engine seized completely (will not turn by hand when attempted; only clicks on starter). It is currently at First Hyundai dealer in [XXX], under Repair Order #XXXand available for inspection. The vehicle suddenly lost power and died while driving on the road. This created a significant risk of an accident or being stranded in traffic. I was on a busy highway and almost got hit twice. There is also a known fire risk associated with this exact defect (oil leaking onto hot engine components), as stated in Recall 209 (NHTSA 21V727). The vehicle was towed to First Hyundai. They have documented the no-start/seized condition on Repair Order #XXX. A prior independent scanner reading showed P1326 before the code was cleared. The dealer has not performed the full diagnostic inspection (scheduled around June 11). Hyundai Corporate (Claim #XXX) has been notified but has not responded after multiple escalation emails. The vehicle first went into limp mode ("Engine Protection Mode") with DTC P1326 on the scanner. Shortly after, the engine died completely and would not restart. This occurred after Recall 209 (bearing/KSDS campaign) was completed on XXX. Additional Details: This is a known issue with premature connecting rod bearing wear. The dealer is refusing to provide a loaner/rental upon drop-off, which contradicts TSB 22-01-023H (Dealer Best Practices for P1326 vehicles). The vehicle has been inoperable since 6/4 ..with no resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”