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If you own a Hyundai Sonata or another Hyundai model, here’s the information you will want to know.
Blanca Crowe (@blancacrowe) owns a 2018 Hyundai Sonata, and only 58,000 miles in, her engine had a catastrophic failure. She has a warning for Hyundai owners and buyers.
Here is Blanca’s story. Read it to the end because it could save you tens of thousands of dollars and a massive headache.
She says in her TikTok videos,
I’m currently driving my car back to Hyundai for the third time in the last five months. I have a 2018 Hyundai Sonata with 58,000 miles on it.
My engine blew up in January. I’ve always had regular oil changes, and as the second owner, I have no idea how the first owner maintained it.
I checked the Carfax, and since there was nothing bad on it, it looked good. I was buying from CarMax, and I got their extended warranty. I did all the right things.
I had the car for almost two years without any issues, and I was driving on the highway when all hell broke loose. The battery light, the check engine light, and the oil change light come on.
The engine makes this horrendous noise, and it explodes on the highway. So, I have to get my car towed 100 miles to the Hyundai dealer in Carlsbad.
They’ve done a decent job of trying to help me out, but it’s also been a nightmare for me from the moment I dropped it off there.
So, I dropped it off at the end of January, and it took until the end of May to get my car back. I was in a rental car the entire time.
The dealer told me it was because of a lack of oil lubrication. It blew a hole in my cylinder block. I’m lucky it didn’t catch fire.
The reason it took so long is that the extended warranty company, through Carmax Fidelity, kept coming out for inspection after inspection after inspection to look at the engine.
After all that, they denied the claim. They claimed to cover any engine failure and transmission issues, and they help with problems like this.
They said this problem looked like a lack of care on my part, and I even had all my oil change receipts.
So they have me scrambling because now I have a $20,000 bill to pay for, and my car is not even worth that much.
So, the only thing I knew to do was to call Hyundai corporate and request a goodwill repair. That’s what you can do if you feel that you have been wronged.
It took days for them to respond to my goodwill repair request, and they informed me that I’m not under warranty because I’m the second owner and not within the 60,000 miles or five-year rule, whichever comes first.
So, now I’m screwed.
I asked if they could push for my request because there’s a whole class action lawsuit about oil consumption issues, and my car is one of them.
So after I pushed and fought, they agreed to pay 60% of the repairs. I told them I need 100%. So then, they said they would do 70%.
Who decides how much I’m going to be paid?
They are acknowledging that this is an issue, but they won’t take full responsibility.
So, I said okay, I will take the 70%, and now I’m left with an $8,000 bill, and I still owe $15,000 on the car.
So now, Blanca calls Fidelity back and tells them she was wronged. The rep looks at the file and says, “You have a major case here.”
There were four different inspections, and I was denied, and none of my rental car was covered.
Fidelity now says they will pay for the other 30% because they usually cover what Hyundai doesn’t.
So, why did they help me in the first place?
They initially denied my claim and left me in the dark. It feels like insurance fraud to me.
Now, at least, I’m getting it all paid for. Hyundai covers 70%, Fidelity covers 30%, and I pay my deductible, which makes me happy.
I get a new engine, a new starter, and a new turbo, and everything is good.
So She Thought
I take my car, which has just been fixed, and drive out of the lot. Then, my engine starts making this crazy loud noise. I pressed on the gas, and the noise got louder.
I immediately turn around and take it back to the dealer. I tell them something is wrong with my car. So I had to leave it at the dealer for another day.
So, everything’s fine until I take a trip to Mammoth, and my AC starts blowing hot air. I never had an AC issue before.
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After the six-hour drive to Mammoth, the check engine light comes on. Now, I’m six hours from home.
So, now it’s back to the dealer, and I tell them my AC doesn’t work and the check engine light is on.
They had my car for another month, and I had to pay for another car rental the entire time.
They said it needs a new high-pressure fuel pump, and my air compressor blew, so I needed a new one.
I was able to get Fidelity to cover it under the extended warranty this time without a problem.
Wait, there’s still more.
She gets her Hyundai Sonata back, and it starts making the same noise it did the first time she had a problem. It happens when she first starts the engine after it’s been sitting overnight.
Because it was the 4th of July, she had to wait until the long weekend was over to get back to the dealer.
So, after the Hyundai dealer fixes her car, she’s going to take it to another Hyundai dealer and trade it immediately.
I never want to drive this car again. I’m literally traumatized by this whole experience.
They told me I have a brand new engine, a new turbo, and a new starter; there should be no problems now. Everything should be great, but it’s been the absolute opposite.
It’s been the worst car experience I’ve ever had. Yeah, so don’t ever buy a Hyundai.
Which Hyundai models and engines should buyers be aware of?
Hyundai recalled several models with specific engines due to engine failure risks. These include the Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, and the Nu 2.0L GDI engine.
Specifically, certain 2011-2014 Sonatas, 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sports, 2019-2020 Elantras, 2019-2021 Konas, and Velosters with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine are affected. The issues include improperly heat-treated piston oil rings, potentially leading to engine stalling and fires.
What should Hyundai owners do if they suspect engine problems in their vehicle?
Hyundai dealerships will inspect engines and replace them if necessary, free of charge.
What is Hyundai’s New Car Warranty?
If you are the original owner, Hyundai’s powertrain warranty is 10 years or 100,000 miles. The original owner is the first retail buyer of the vehicle.
What is Hyundai’s Second Owner Warranty?
Hyundai says the powertrain warranty is transferable to a second owner, but with some limitations.
Second owner
If the vehicle is sold within the 10-year/100,000-mile warranty period, the second owner gets 5-year/60,000-mile coverage. The second owner receives most of the same protections as the original owner.
The warranty is valid for the remainder of the 5-year/60,000-mile period, whichever comes first.
How to update the owner information.
If you are the second or subsequent owner of a Hyundai, you can complete the Owner Information Change Card in the front of the owner’s handbook. This card allows you to update your contact information and ownership status with Hyundai, ensuring that you receive important warranty and recall information.
Conclusion:
We don’t know how many times Blanca’s story plays out with some Hyundai model’s engine failure. It’s not something anyone should have to deal with.
How About You?
Have you had a Hyundai Sonata or another Hyundai model with an engine that needed to be replaced? Your experiences and insights are valuable to our community. Click the red Add New Comment link below and share your story.
Check out my Hyundai Sonata story: My Hyundai Sonata Has Been at the Dealer for 7 Months Waiting for a New Engine. They Say They’re Waiting On Parts, but I Think They Are Just Stalling.
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl
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Source: torquenews.com
