2008 HYUNDAI SONATA Engine Problems

Bought in 2023 @ 98k miles. Have had trouble with 1.it would only start in drive, then that seems to have self corrected. 2. In drive, car would not accelerate properly, and would slow as though I was braking, but no foot on brake. Had rear brake sensor replaced, seemed better for a while. 3. Developed oil leak at 120 miles which valvoline characterized as "not serious...just keep checking it and topping it off." So, have been doing that. Today after oil change, it began running rough, lots of vibration, then the shifting problem, sluggishness, and new..smoke from under hood on driver's side. No check engine lights at all. Nothing registered as hot or overheating. Turned off car, checked oil and trans fluid, both in proper range for warm engine. Let car sit and cool for an hour. Decided I had parked too close to the propane tanks for a smoking car, so I decided to start car just to back it into a space across the lot. Car had no issues- No smoke, no jerking or vibration, no sluggishness, no phantom braking. This car has done this same thing about once every 6 months since I've had it. Changed a tire sensor, that seemed to fix it once. Stopped using cruise control altogether, that seemed to help once. My brother is an ASE certified high school auto mechanics teacher who ran his own shop for 20 years and worked on trucks for VDOT for another 7 years and he cannot diagnose it. I know it has something to do with not being in the correct gear, but it's not reliable, and I have a hard time believing it's just my vehicle.

MY ERVIN CEASED UP ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. IT THRU AN ENGIN ROD.THE ENGIN OIL MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING. NOW AFTER JUST BUYING THIS CAR USED, THERE ARE NO ENGINES AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. TOO MANY HAVE BLOWN UP. AND HYUNDAI SAYS THEY ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. SAME ENGIN AS THE FAILURES WITH THE FATALITIES.I AM STUCK.

Mileage: 116,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,000.

Mileage: 236,000

WAS HEADING TO WORK ON INTERSTATE 81, ENGINE MADE LOUD BOOM SOUND SCARED ME PULLED OVER BEING AFRAID TO DRIVE HAD IT TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. NO ENGINE LIGHT ON. REPAIR DONE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST SAID ENGINE WAS BLOWN, OLL GOOD NO ENGINE LIGHT BUT ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER TRYING TO DO MANUALLY. MY CAR ONLY HAD 180,000 MILES ALWAYS DID BELTS AND MAINTENANCE.

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CROWN HYUNDAI (5301 34TH ST N, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33714, (888) 727-9161) REGARDING THE REAR BACK-UP SENSORS AND AN UNKNOWN NHTSA RECALL RELATED TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CLUSTER. WHEN THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO UPDATE THE ECM CLUSTER, THEY DISABLED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR TWELVE DAYS, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Mileage: 3,000

CAR MADE A POPPING NOISE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THEN LOST ACCELERATION. THE CAR THEN BURST INTO FLAMES.

Mileage: 13,000

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA 6CYL DOHC 3.3L / 152812 WATER PUMP WENT OUT. REPLACED IT. THEN WATER ENDED UP IN THE OIL THAT GOT INTO THE LIFTERS. ENDED UP GETTING ANOTHER MOTOR. THEN MY A/C STOPPED WORKING (DIDN'T BLOW COOL OR COLD AIR). CHANGED OIL AND OIL FILTER MYSELF ALONG WITH THE OIL SENSOR ( CONNECTED TO OIL FILTER SPOT) THAT WAS LEAKING BAD AS LONG AS THE CAR WAS RUNNING.I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, IN FRONT OF A LOADED 18 WHEELER, DRIVING 75 THEN MY CAR JERKED REAL HARD THEN DROPPED DOWN TO 40. I HAD TO PULL OVER ILLEGALLY TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT BY THE TRUCK. AS I WAS CATCHING MY BREATH I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP IT MADE A WEIRD TICK NOISE. HAVEN'T HEARD THAT NOISE SINCE. WHEN I PULLED OFF IT HESITATED TO CHANGE GEARS FROM 2 TO 3. IT FINALLY CHANGED AND DID NOT COME OUT OF 3RD. GOT IT TOWED HOME. HAD MY MOMS BOYFRIEND TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. HE DROVE IT AND IT WAS FINE. NEXT MORNING STARTED CAR AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER. (LOW VOLUME) FINALLY IT WENT AWAY. WHEN I HEADED TO WORK, IT HESITATED AT FIRST. THE VACUUM NOISE CAME BACK AND WAS LOUDER. THEN I SPED UP TO 50, IT HARD JERKED AGAIN, AND STAYED IN 3RD GEAR. AS I WENT FURTHER LOSS POWER IN INSIDE LANE OF HIGHWAY AND CAR WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. LIKE IT DIDN'T KNOW I WAS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. STARTED SHAKING AT AROUND 20 MILES AN HOUR. PULLED OVER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED A FRIEND TO PULL ME BACK HOME. IT WAS REVERSING FINE BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. SO I CHANGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR (WHOLE PEDAL) THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. SO THEN I CHANGED THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP/ INJECTOR. STILL HAVE ALL PARTS BY THE WAY. THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM EITHER. PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND IT GAVE A CODE FOR ECM AND OXYGEN SENSOR. ESC LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS TPMS, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I COULD MOVE FORWARD BUT IT WAS LIKE I WASN'T. THIS ALL STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2019

Mileage: 152,800

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TAPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COCONUT CREEK HYUNDAI (4960 N. STATE ROAD 7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073, (954) 283-1002), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENGINE FAILED THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *DT

Mileage: 35,000

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A SMALL CAR DEALERSHIP, WHEN PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HAD A PRETTY HIGH MILEAGE HOWEVER WHEN TEST DRIVED NO SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR RAN SMOOTHLY. AFTER FOUR MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR WITH ONLY AROUND 2K MILES ADDED TO IT, WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY A KNOCKING NOISE SUDDENLY BECAME APPARENT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SINCE THERE WAS VISIBLE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 174,000

THE ENGINE OUT OF NOWHERE BEGAN TO KNOCK (ENGINE KNOCK) AND NOBODY FROM ANY POINT OF MANAGEMENT WILL HELP ME OUT WITH THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH IT THEIR ENGINE AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR IT, NOT HELP OR ANYTHING WAS PROVIDED, THE VEHICLE HAD BEGAN KNOCKING AFTER I HAD STARTED IT UP ONE DAY AND BEGAN DRIVING IT, I NOTICED THE WARMER THE ENGINE GOT, THE LOUDER IT GOT, I TOOK IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND ONE OF THEM BEING A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND ONE BEING A KIA, BOTH SAID THE SAME THING

Mileage: 77,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING AND RATTLING NOISE, SIMILAR TO METAL ON METAL, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE ENGINE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,500.

Mileage: 125,500

I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA AND I HAVE WELL MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE BUT ONE DAY I HEAR A SMALL TICKING NOISE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SPARK PLUGS SO I GOT THE FULL TUNE UP. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CAR DIDNT WANT TO START. IVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK. I ALSO DID RESEARCH AND A FEW OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS IN THEIR CARS. ALSO LOTS OF PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE 2011 HYUNDAI SONATAS ALSO. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THEY USE THE SAME ENGINES FOR THE 2008 I THINK WE ALLL SHOULD GET A FAIR PLAY

Mileage: 35

THIS ISSUE EFFECTS 2.4 LITER GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE MODEL SONATAS. METALLIC DEBRIS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY REMOVED DURING MANUFACTURING OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT. IF THE DEBRIS WAS NOT COMPLETELY REMOVED, OIL FLOW MAY BE RESTRICTED THROUGH THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS, CAUSING CONNECTING ROD DAMAGE. A WORN CONNECTING ROD BEARING WILL PRODUCE A METALLIC, CYCLIC KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING IN THE NEED TO REBUILD OR REPLACE ENGINE. MY ENGINE FIRST FAILED OUT IN OCTOBER OF 2016 AND CAUSED ME TO REQUIRE AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. IN AUGUST 2017 THAT SAME ENGINE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAPPEN TO IT. THIS HAS BEEN 2 OF THE 2.4 CYL I-4 ENGINES HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THE EXACT SAME CARE WITH AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE ON BOTH ENGINES. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY VARIOUS COMPLAINTS REPORTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET EFFECTING THIS ENGINE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL BY HYUNDAI FOR THE 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE BECAUSE THE 2011 SONATA USED THE EXACT SAME ENGINES THAT ARE IN THE 2008 SONATA. THE LINK FOR THAT RECALL IS HERE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V568000 URL: HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/VEHICLE/2011/HYUNDAI/SONATA/4%252520DR/FWD%252520LATEST%252520RELEASE#RECALLS

Mileage: 98,500

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. MOMENTUM AND STRUGGLE STEERING ALLOWED ME TO MOVE FROM CENTER LANE TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD SAFELY. INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE LEAKY HEAD COVER GASKET THAT SLOWLY LEAKED ONTO THE ALTERNATOR. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC WHO LATER INFORMED ME THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. HE DID VERIFY THAT WAS OIL IN THE ENGINE AT THE TIME. THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN 10 YRS OLD AND PURCHASED BRAND NEW.

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. ...UPDATED 06/13/17 *BF UPDATED 10/11/2017*JS

Mileage: 141,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE WITH THE MOTOR, THERE WAS NO OIL LEAN AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A HIGH VOLUME OF OIL EVERY 30 DAYS. THE OIL AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE MANUFACTURER MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V568000 (ENGINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Mileage: 30,000

ENGINE SEIZED AT AROUND 124000 WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED WITH A USED MOTOR AND NOW I BELIEVE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW AGAIN AT THE SAME MILEAGE. I HAVE USED ONLY MOBIL ONE SYNTHETIC OIL IN BOTH MOTORS.

Mileage: 124,000

LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM UNDER HOOD. GETS LOUDER AS ENGINE HEATS. UNSAFE TO DRIVE

Mileage: 116,630

ON THE 3.3L ENGINE THERE IS A FAULT IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT CAUSES OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING PREMATURE ALTERNATOR FAILURE. IF THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME ENGINE SUCH AS THE VERACRUZ AND A RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED. FOR SOME REASON THE RECALL DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE SONATA AS IT SHOULD. THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE VERACRUZ RECALL INVOLVING THE SAME ENGINE. "HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (HYUNDAI) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2012 VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH JULY 24, 2012. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN OIL LEAK FROM THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK VALVE COVER GASKET. IF THERE IS A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF OIL DROPPED ONTO THE ALTERNATOR, THE ALTERNATOR WILL BE DAMAGED CAUSING THE CHARGING SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERATIVE." MY ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED TWICE NOW, ONCE WHILE DRIVING AND I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT IT EASILY COULD HAVE GONE BAD ON ME AS I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC. ONCE MY ALTERNATOR AND SUBSEQUENTLY MY BATTERY DIED I WAS LEFT WITHOUT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WITHOUT LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS OF MY SITUATIONS.

Mileage: 130,000

THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY, SLOWING DOWN AND IDLING ROUGH. I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT REMAIN RUNNING IN IDLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND INSPECTED AT THE HOUSE AND THE VALVES ARE BAD. IT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, LIGHTS OR GAUGES COMING ON OR PRIOR NOISE. I WAS DRIVING AROUND 45-50 TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENED OUT OF THE BLUE. 179,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND REGULAR OIL CHANGES SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE WITH 60,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 179,000

ENGINE CONTROL MODULE(ECM) FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, REQUIRING EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. MAY HAVE ALSO CAUSED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BRAKE SWITCH, CONDENSER FAN, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL.

Mileage: 118,000

ON JULY 19, 2016 AT OR ABOUT 1500 HOURS, I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE TO GET SOME FOOD, ON THE WAY OUT MY APARTMENT COMPLEX, I BELIEVE MY HYUNDAI SONATA 2008 ALLOWED ME TO GO ABOUT TWO BLOCKS DOWN FROM WHERE I LIVE TO SHUT OFF IN THE STREET RIGHT BEFORE I APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN. I ALSO REMEMBER HEARING TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF, WHILE DRIVING I HEARD THIS KNOCKING SOUND IN MY ENGINE, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE NEW STARTER THAT WAS REPLACED BUT THEN A DAY OR TWO LATER IT STOP MAKING THAT KNOCKING NOISE. I CALLED AROUND TO FIND ANSWERS NO ONE HAD A CLUE TO WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THIS VEHICLE. EVERYTHING WAS WORKING JUST FINE UNTIL JULY 16, 2016. I HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 17, 2009 AND I CAN'T NOT BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE HAS A MAJOR ISSUE LIKE THIS AT POINT AND TIME. I COULD DEAL WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES BUT ON THIS FLIP SIDED COIN; NOT HAVING A VEHICLE TO CRANK OR ONE THAT JUST SHUTS OFF WITH OUT ANY ENGINE LIGHTS OR WARNING IS A COMPLETE MYSTERY FOR ME, BUT I THINK IT IS TIME HYUNDAI GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS TO THIS PROBLEM... LETS ALSO BE CLEAR THERE WAS OIL AND GAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME OF VEHICLE IN MOTION SHUT OFF.

Mileage: 131,189

UPON STARTING THE CAR, I HEARD A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE FROM THE ENGINE THAT INCREASED IN VOLUME AND INTENSITY AS I ACCELERATED (IN TOWN), AND THEN I OBSERVED TWO PUFFS OF SMOKE OR STEAM ARISE FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AT A NEARBY MECHANIC, WHO OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT CYLINDER BANK VALVE COVER WAS LEAKING OIL. THE WHINE, WHICH GRADUALLY WENT AWAY, MAY HAVE BEEN OIL GETTING ONTO THE ALTERNATOR BELT. FORTUNATELY, WE SEEM TO HAVE CAUGHT THIS IN TIME, AS THE ALTERNATOR DID NOT APPEAR TO BE DAMAGED, BUT IT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN, AS THE EDGE OF THE VALVE COVER HANGS DIRECTLY OVER THE ALTERNATOR IN THE 3.3L V6 ENGINE. THE LEAK MAY HAVE BEEN MORE OF A "SWEAT" FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME; ONLY THE WHINE ALERTED ME TO ANYTHING BEING WRONG, AND MAY HAVE BEEN A SIGN THE LEAK WAS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE VALVE COVER GASKET. WHAT IS FRUSTRATING IS THAT HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, ON THE VERY SAME ENGINE I BELIEVE, FOR THEIR VERA CRUZ MODELS, BUT NOT THEIR SONATAS FOR THE SAME YEARS. THEY SHOULD RECALL THE SONATAS WITH THIS ENGINE AS WELL, AS THE ALTERNATOR CAN BE DESTROYED IF THIS ISN'T CAUGHT AND FIXED.

Mileage: 72,300

WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THE RADIO SHUT OFF. NEXT MOST OF THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON , THE ENGINE WOULD NOT MAKE POWER/ACCELERATE, AND THE BRAKING SEEMED WEAK/JERKY. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AS SOON AS I COULD. NOW ALL DASH LIGHTS WERE ON/BLINKING AND THE RADIO, SUNROOF, WINDOWS ETC WOULD NOT WORK. THINKING IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE I LEFT IT RUNNING TO INVESTIGATE. NEXT THING I KNOW THE CAR IS OVERHEATING EVEN THOUGH THE GAUGE ISN'T SHOWING IT. STEAM EVERYWHERE AND THE OVERFLOW POPPED THE CAP OFF. SHUT THE CAR OFF. ONCE THE CAR COOLED I WAS ABLE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. OIL HAS BEEN DRIPPING ON TO THE ALTERNATOR FROM A LEAK IN THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THIS KILLED THE ALTERNATOR WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE CONTROL/BRAKING/ACCELERATION ISSUES ONE IT WAS ON BATTERY ONLY. I'M ASSUMING THE FAN WAS NOT COOLING EITHER WHICH RESULTED IN THE OVERHEATING.

Mileage: 108,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR BECAME INOPERABLE AND FAILED TO OPEN USING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 40,000

ENGINE OIL EVAPORATED. NO LEAKS OR DRIPS. NOW MOTOR MAKING A LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN STARTED. HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC HE SAID THE ENGINE IS SHOT, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE BEARING IS BAD ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR AND THE CRANK SHAFT IS DAMAGED. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. ALSO THIS IS A 4 CYLINDER MOTOR WHICH IN THEORY SHOULD BE A LESS EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT THAT A 6 CYLINDER AND IS NOT. THIS IS BECAUSE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND. THESE ENGINES BLOW UP IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. IT IS VERY COMMON AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2011 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THESE ENGINES SHOULD NOT BLOW UP.

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

I READ YOUR RECALL TODAY RE: THE SAME MAKE/MODEL OF CAR THAT I OWN. MY HYNDAI SONATA IS A 2008. I AM EXPERIENCING EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUES LISTED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2015. I HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY THAN I HAVE TRYING TO FIX THIS CAR (WHICH I AM FINANCING CURRENTLY). THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON, THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CAR WILL NOT "GET UP AND GO" AND FEELS AS IF IT MAY STALL OUT UPON TAKING OFF FORWARD AFTER COMING TO A STOP. LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS. THEY ONLY WAY TO GET RID OF THE NOISE IS TO LET OFF OF THE GAS.

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT GO ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAR GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE ("LIMP MODE") AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE ABOVE 15 OR 20 MPH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH HYUNDAI IN WHICH THEY ISSUED TSB #'S 09-FL-003-2 AND 10-FL-010. THE TSB'S ADDRESS A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WHICH IS TO BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE WITH DIFFERENT SETTINGS THAN THE ORIGINAL. ONE THE PART IS CHANGED, AN UPDATE TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IS REQUIRED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS INCIDENT HAPPENING. HOW CAN A FLAW OF THIS MAGNITUDE NOT WARRANT A RECALL?

Mileage: 37,000

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE, A BEGAN TO HEAR A KNOCKING SOUND THAT BECAME LOUDER AND LOUDER. I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT MY CAR AND BOTH SAID THAT THE CAR WAS ABOUT TO THROW A ROD. ON DECEMBER 13, 2014 THE CAR STOP RUNNING ALTOGETHER. I HAD NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, AND I HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES. IN FACT I HAD THE OIL CHANGED JUST TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I AM HAVING RICART HYUNDAI IN COLUMBUS, OHIO (WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW) LOOK AT MY CAR ON APRIL 2, 2015. I AM INTERESTED IN WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO SAY OR DO ABOUT THIS SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I JUST WANT THEM TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS ENGINE AND WHAT IF ANYTHING THEY (MANUFACTURER) CAN DO ABOUT REPAIR. THIS IS MY SECOND SONATA (I STILL HAVE THE OTHER CAR WITH OVER 150,000+ MILES) AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEFORE. IT MAY BE MY LAST HYUNDAI, IF I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH RESULTS. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

TL* THE CONTACT 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 117,000

WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED FROM A COLD START, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE RATTLE COMING FROM ENGINE THAT LASTS ABOUT 3-7 SECONDS. ALSO WHILE ACCELERATING, THE RATTLE IS PERSISTENT WITH THROTTLE INPUT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND THAT THE HYUNDAI SONATAS HAVE DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS. I WENT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND THEY QUOTED ME $1,100 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND MADE ME AWARE THAT THERE WAS A TSB BUT NOT A RECALL ON THE PART EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A REVISED TENSIONER. THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE AND A HAZARD BECAUSE THE CHAIN COULD HAVE TO MUCH SLACK AND CAUSE THE THE TIMING TO BE OFF AND FUTURE DAMAGE FOR THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 139,881

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR THREW A CRANK ROD. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I SEE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES HAVING FAULTY BOLTS ON THE CRANK ROD CAP. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL BUT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 113,000

I HEARD A TICKING WHILE TRAVELING TO MA ON 684 NORTH OF CT WHEN THE NOISE GOT LOUDER. I STOPPED AND HAD TO TOW THE CAR HOME. WHEN I WHEN ON IN THE HYUNDAI SONATA FORUM THERE WERE A LOT OF FOLKS TALKING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY MENTIONED TALKING TO THE DEALERS BUT NO ONE HEARD OF A RECALL ON THE ENGINE. SO I JUST LIKE THEM HAD TO FIX THE ENGINE BY THE WAY WHICH IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE 4 CYLINDER ENGINE OUT THERE. I ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURE ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE'S NO RECALL YET AND I HAVE TO FIX IT MYSELF. WELL I WENT TO GOT THE BEARING AND CRAFT AND A OIL PUMP. THIS IS WHEN I LEARNED THAT THEY HAVE REDESIGNED A OIL PUMP THAT CAR 06 07 08 09 MODELS. I ASKED THE GUY WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT, CAUSE IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO BUY A NEW OIL PAN AND BOLTS, HE SAID THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL OIL PUMP. SO I SAID IT'S COSTLY FOR US SO WHY THEY DON'T DO A RECALL? HE SAID NO ONE IS COMPLAINING AND IT'S VERY COSTLY FOR THE COMPANY. SO I ASK CAN SOMEONE LOOK INTO IT . REALLY WHY WOULD THEY REDESIGN A OIL PUMP FOR A CAR AS OLD AS JUST FIVE YRS OLD. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE WAS ALTERNATOR FAILURE DUE TO OIL LEAK FROM FRONT VALVE COVER. THIS IS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA 2008 WITH 3.3 LITERS V6. *TR *JS

Mileage: 69,000

ENGINE FAILURE -LOWER ROD BENT NO CAUSE BY OPERATOR CAR WELL MAINTAINED. *TR

Mileage: 149,000

DRIVING WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE, AIR BAG, AND E.S.C LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, A SIMULTANEOUS INTERNAL ENGINE EXPLOSION RESULTED IN AN INSTANT FIRE AS WELL AS A ROD THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE DAMAGING BLOCK AND SETTING THE CAR ON FIRE FROM A RESULTING MASSIVE OIL LEAK. THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT NOR ANY INDICATION TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WERE ANY CONCERNS WITH MY CAR TILL IT WAS TOO LATE UNFORTUNATELY. *TR

Mileage: 143,056

I RECENTLY REVIEWED HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 121 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V415000), WHICH DESCRIBES THAT 2007-2012 VERACRUZ MODELS MAY HAVE AN OIL LEAK AT THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET. THE RECALL STATES THAT "IF A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF OIL DRIPS ONTO THE ALTERNATOR, THE ALTERNATOR CAN BE DAMAGED RESULTING IN THE CHARGING SYSTEM BECOMING INOPERATIVE." IT GOES ON TO STATE A RISK OF VEHICLE RUNNING ON BATTERY POWER, UNTIL BATTERY VOLTAGE DROPS, AND THEN POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE SHUT OFF, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. IN JULY, I TOOK MY 2008 SONATA TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTED ON MY INVOICE THAT "LEFT AND FRONT VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING", AND THAT "THE FRONT IS LEAKING ON THE ALTERNATOR." THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME MECHANICAL ISSUE NOTED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 121, IT IS JUST HAPPENING ON A DIFFERENT HYUNDAI MODEL. IN MY OPINION, THE RISK OF DAMAGE TO THE ALTERNATOR ON MY SONATA (VIA THE CONFIRMED OIL LEAK ONTO IT) IS THE SAME AS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 121. I BELIEVE THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK ISSUE WITH MY SONATA SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY HYUNDAI IN THE SAME MANNER AS HOW RECALL CAMPAIGN 121 IS ADDRESSING THE VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK ON THE VERACRUZ MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 105,136

CARS VALVE COVER AND OR TIMING COVER LEAKS ON THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO BE "SOAKED WITH OIL "(DEALERS WORDS). AT ANY TIME THEREAFTER THE ALTERNATOR COULD FAIL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL AND CAUSING INJURY. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR BUT IS REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR IN THE 07-12 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ UNDER RECALL WITH THE SAME ENGINE DESIGN AND THE SAME ALTERNATOR PLACEMENT. I HAVE 2 CARS AN 08 AND AN 07 SONATA THAT BOTH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY DOES HYUNDAI WANT TO RECALL THE VERACRUZ AND NOT THE HYUNDAI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? THE CAR HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR INSPECTION AND A CALL TO HYUNDAI ON 04-13-2014. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. *TR

Mileage: 41,620

ON STARTUP WHEN COLD, ENGINE MAKES KNOCKING OR TAPPING NOISE. NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER +/- 30 SECONDS. I'M TOLD IT'S A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THESE 3.3 V-6 ENGINES, BUT HYUNDAI WILL NOT RECALL THEM. THE REASON, I'M TOLD, IS THAT THE ENGINE MUST ALMOST BE COMPLETELY REMOVED FROM THE CAR FOR REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

WAS DRIVING TO MARTINEZ AND HEARD A SLIGHT CLICKING SOUND BY THE TIME WE EXITED FREEWAY AT MARTINEZ EXIT THE SOUND BECAME VERY LOUD. WHEN WE STOPPED AT LIGHT CAR DIED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. HAD CAR TOWED TO WHEEL WORKS AND THE TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE HAD OIL EVERYWHERE AND NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE BACK PART OF THE ENGINE. MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED. IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THAT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 118,942

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN I HEARD POP. SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED OVER. POPPED HOOD. SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE. CHECKED DIPSTICK AND NO OIL. NEVER HAD OIL LEAK. NO OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NO OVERHEAT OR HOT ENGINE LIGHT. JUST A SMALL FIRE UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE ON GROUND. BOUGHT OIL THAT JUST LEAKED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING IN. NO WARNING. NO SIGNALS. NO ALERTS. BLOWN ENGINE. THEY WANT $5300 FOR A USED ENGINE. *JS

Mileage: 123,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD TICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,112.

Mileage: 108,000

OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, HOWEVER NO OIL WAS IN VEHICLE, TOOK TO SOUTHERN AUTO MART IN GEORGETOWN, SC THEY SAID IT WAS OKAY, THEY CHANGED MY OIL. TWO WEEKS LATER NO OIL, ENGINE IS NO GOOD. *JS

Mileage: 93,000

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND, ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE CRANK ROD CAME LOOSE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED SO THE HYUNDAI 100,000 MILE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER IT. I HAVE DONE ROUTINE OIL CHANGES AND UP TO THIS POINT HAD NO REAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS DISAPPOINTING TO SAY THE LEAST AS I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS AND PURCHASED IT BASED ON THE IDEA THAT HYUNDAI'S ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE VEHICLES. I HAD HOPED THAT HYUNDAI WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO HELP REMEDY THE SITUATION BUT AT THIS POINT THEY HAVE NOT, WHICH IS ALSO DISAPPOINTING. IN THE FUTURE I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING A HYUNDAI. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

OIL LEAKING DOWN FROM TIMING COVER ONTO ALTERNATOR AND DOWN TO OIL PAN FOUND DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. TOOK TO ONE DEALER, WAS TOLD NO LEAK. TOOK BACK TO MY MECHANIC, TOOK PICTURES, TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. FOUND TIMING COVER LEAKING, REMOVE TIMING COVER, V/C GASKETS AND PUMP GASKETS. *TR

Mileage: 44,644

DRIVING ON I-94 IN BATTLE CREEK, MI, THE 2008 SONATA, AFTER MAKING A TICKING NOISE FOR A YEAR (WHICH THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT LOOK AT) BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND SOMETHING FLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE AND SMOKE CAME POURING OUT OF THE VENTS. I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER ON THIS BUSY INTERSTATE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE FROM HYUNDAI. THEY SENT A WRECKER, AND WHEN THE CAR WAS LIFTED, ALL OF THE OIL WAS ON THE ROAD. THEY TOWED IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER 30 MILES AWAY IN KALAMAZOO, MI AND THEY TOLD ME THAT A ROD AND PISTON HAD FLOWN OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE OF THE CAR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH FAULTY CRANK ROD CAP BOLTS. THE TICKING I THINK WAS FROM THE ROD CAP THAT HAD COME OFF. AS OF NOW, THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING UNDER WARRANTY AWAITING OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL SOON, AS THIS COULD BE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THE FLYING PISTON. LUCKILY IT FLEW OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 86,300