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ProblemsByVin HYUNDAI / ENGINE
150 model-year entries · 2005–2025

Hyundai engine problems

9,886 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Hyundai vehicles for engine issues. 45 active recall campaigns. See engine across all makes →

Complaints
9,886
Recalls
45
Year-models
150
Avg fix
$3,100
70crashes
449fires
70injuries

At the shop, Hyundai engine issues have a recognizable signature. 9,886 documented complaints across 150 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 449 fire reports on the federal record — not common in this category but documented and worth weight. Across the 4,215 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 86,296 miles. Repair exposure averages $3,100, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Budget for a real pre-purchase inspection — compression and leakdown test, not just a code scan. Both are cheap and tell you what is left in the engine.

Worst-affected Hyundai model-years for engine Top 25 by complaint volume

1
2011 Hyundai Sonata
692 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$3,100 severe
2
2013 Hyundai Sonata
549 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$3,100 severe
3
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
513 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
4
2017 Hyundai Tucson
440 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 moderate
5
2015 Hyundai Sonata
420 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
6
2012 Hyundai Sonata
384 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$3,100 severe
7
2016 Hyundai Sonata
345 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
8
2017 Hyundai Sonata
293 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
9
2016 Hyundai Tucson
236 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
10
2014 Hyundai Sonata
216 complaints · 2 recalls · ~$3,100 severe
11
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe
212 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
12
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
208 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
13
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
182 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 severe
14
2017 Hyundai Elantra
173 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
15
2018 Hyundai Tucson
162 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
16
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
162 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
17
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
156 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
18
2013 Hyundai Tucson
144 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 severe
19
2012 Hyundai Tucson
142 complaints · 1 recall · ~$3,100 severe
20
2018 Hyundai Sonata
139 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
21
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
134 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
22
2019 Hyundai Tucson
133 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
23
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
130 complaints · ~$3,100 severe
24
2013 Hyundai Elantra
130 complaints · ~$3,100 moderate
25
2013 Hyundai Veloster
117 complaints · ~$3,100 severe

Active recalls — Hyundai engine 12 on file

severe NHTSA 25V549000 August 26, 2025 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.
severe NHTSA 24V308000 May 1, 2024 2024 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
severe NHTSA 24V106000 February 13, 2024 2024 Hyundai Palisade

Hyundia Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Palisade vehicles

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. A hole in the engine block increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed by December 6, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 255.
severe NHTSA 22V197000 March 28, 2022 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles

An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall 222.
severe NHTSA 21V727000 September 17, 2021 2017 Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the defect on November 16, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 209.
severe NHTSA 21V301000 April 28, 2021 2021 Hyundai Veloster

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2

A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
severe NHTSA 20V746000 December 1, 2020 2016 Hyundai Veloster

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
severe NHTSA 20V705000 November 13, 2020 2012 Hyundai Veracruz

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415

An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.
severe NHTSA 19V063000 February 5, 2019 2013 Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Tucson vehicles

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will inspect for an oil pan leak, replacing it if necessary, and install an updated oil pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 181.
severe NHTSA 18V934000 December 28, 2018 2014 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
severe NHTSA 17V578000 September 20, 2017 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3

The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.
severe NHTSA 17V226000 March 31, 2017 2014 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.

Common questions

How many Hyundai engine complaints are on file with NHTSA?

9,886 complaints across 150 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 45 active recall campaigns cover engine issues across the Hyundai lineup.

Which Hyundai model has the most engine complaints?

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata leads with 692 complaints in this category. Next: 2013 Sonata (549) and 2017 Santa Fe (513).

What does it cost to fix Hyundai engine problems?

Independent shops average $3,100 for engine repairs across the Hyundai lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.

Are there Hyundai engine recalls?

Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover engine on Hyundai vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin and not affiliated with Hyundai. Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record. Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.
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