The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the charger indicator warning light illuminated and the engine seized. The battery was recharged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed valve cover gasket leak and that the valve cover gasket and the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was scheduled to be taken to the dealer for inspection within the week. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 126,600. The VIN was unavailable.

- Steelton, PA, USA

I was driving the car on a 4 lane road when suddenly the engine shut off and the car was no longer functioning. I lost power steering and had to coast into a nearby parking lot, otherwise I would have caused a major accident in the middle of a busy intersection with another 4 lane road. Upon taking the car to Hyundai for evaluation, it was declared to be total engine failure. Given the other issues with Hyundai engines failing and the fact that I VERY NARROWLY AVOIDED A MASSIVE COLLISION, I would like NHTSA to be aware that this problem may go back farther than Hyundai has addressed so far.

- Beaufort, SC, USA

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe had 75,000 miles on it in September 2022. It was bought and serviced by the same dealership and I am the original owner. It was last serviced at the end of June 2022. While returning from Corvallis, Oregon to Forest Grove, Oregon, the car's display light all turned on and a second late the car completely stopped. I am thankful that I decided to take the back road home, if I had been on the highway, I am positive I would have been in a serious accident. It has been determined by the dealership that there was a complete engine failure. It has been at the Hyundai dealership for four months now and there is no replacement engine available for it. Not only that, they can't get a reasonably priced replacement engine anywhere. This car would have been a valuable trade in on a new car. The Diagnosis was Engine crankshaft seized. Metal particles on Dipstick, large metal fragments on oil filter, Engine replacement required. The car is now worthless, expect for parts.

- Forest Grove, OR, USA

UNKNOWN warning I-??m the owner of a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and a week ago at 185k mikes all of a sudden driving on the freeway it started hesitating and sounded like metal grinding and smoking really bad. Pulled to the side of the freeway on a ramp at that. Tried to restart the vehicle and I heard a bang noise which upon later discovery the engine blew a rod with no warning locked the steering wheel couldn-??t get the keys out of the ignition DO NOT buy this car still owe 5k on the vehicle

- Grove City, OH, USA

Engine stalls

- Hiram, GA, USA

We have (had) a 2011 Hyundai Sante Fe. On 9/21/21, driving to Bozeman, just west of Livingston MT, on I-90, the car had a sudden stalling, loss of power (check engine light, oil light came on), then knocking sound that increased in volume and frequency. Smoke began pouring from under the hood as we pulled to the side of the highway, then very quickly accompanied by flames. We exited the vehicle. I opened the hood, the flames shot into the air. We moved away from the car. 911 had been called and the local fire department arrived within 10-15 minutes. Fire extinguished after about 20-30 minutes, but engulfed (destroyed) the entire engine compartment. Flames did not spread to passenger area of the vehicle. No one injured from the fire (although possible smoke inhalation before and as we exited vehicle). Car totaled, towed from highway. 1. Component: engine, all components in engine compartment (available for inspection, see photos uploaded); 2. Safety threat: smoke, fire quickly engulfed engine compartment, threat of spread to passenger area of vehicle; 3. Not yet confirmed by dealer or independent service center; 4. Inspection: by police/fire department that responded to the incident indicating mechanical malfunction, without further detail; 5. Warnings: check engine light and oil light occurred prior to or at time of incident and before severe knocking sounds began, but at same time as stalling/power loss.

- Emigrant, MT, USA

As I was driving my family home from a soccer match in denver to our home in breckenridge my car(Hyundai, Santa Fe 2011) lost all power with out the engine dying. We were heading West and in the tunnel. It was extremely scary and put my family in danger. No warning lights have ever come up on my car before or after. This is the first time of many incidents that this has happened and not only when I have been driving but also my daughter, she has her permit! it doesn't just happen on the interstate but also around our community while driving. I have had it checked it out with my mechanic and they couldn't find the issue as the diagnostic came up with nothing. This is a serious safety hazard not only for myself but my family and others on the road.

- Breckenridge, CO, USA

Car smoking from exahust since around 42000 miles oil smoke started in 2017. I have taken to dealership about 8 times in 3 years now oil all in the sparkplugs using over a quart of oil every 1000 miles now has 56000 miles and unable to drive it. Dealship telling me they will have car for one month or more with no replacement car given have been told may not fix replace the motor I called main company earlier this year. Nothing was done.smokes at start up smokes out my garage. Then car was shimming when driving and engine light came on.

- Cookeville, TN, USA

Car started smoking blue smoke out of the exhaust at 45,000 miles was never treated for an oil consumption test. I didn't know there was such a thing was not advised at that time now 3 years later SUV only has 56,000 it used 2 quarts of oil in 1700 miles. Since I don't drive it much they are saying I have to start all over again since I had not been in since May 2020. It is now July driven it 1300 mile I was told must start consumption test from beginning not with in the 1000 mile range. They never filed out any consumption chart to start with. This car only has one year remaining on warranty and they are trying to run out the warranty without fixing it. Car smokes up my whole garage upon starting, it has covered people up with blue smoke it they are behind me in a parking lot. I can not uploaded. A document

- Cookeville, TN, USA

Engine blown shortly after 'service engine' light came

- Terrebonne, OR, USA

This is to make aware of potential/ possible engine fire cause in some Hyundai vehicles. I own a 2011 Santa Fe. At less than 70K miles the oil light began to flicker and leak oil. Dealership indicated I ruined engine and I was responsible for all repair costs due to bla bla bla. I took vehicle to independent shop and they found and replaced defective oil pressure switch Hyundai #9475037000 which leaked oil onto top engine, created a large pool of hot oil that sat there hidden under other components. ( fire hazard ). then- at 130K miles it happened again. Repeat replacement of genuine defective oil pressure switch and hot oil on engine (fire hazard) contacted Hyundai to explain the fire hazard defective oil switch issue. All they could say was take it to dealership. Well I did just that the first time this happened so why go back and go thru the same bs. The 2 switches failing and hidden oil pools on a hot engine should be a red flag and maybe an answer to all the past car fires reported here. Included is photo of the defective parts that where replaced. Note- the switch location is in the V cavity under the intake manifold. Impossible to see and if it starts spewing hot oil out there's no way see it.

- Westpoint, IN, USA

My car started running hot periodically, the thermostat gauge kept going up and down. There was a bubbling sound in radiator reserve container. My vehicle would not stay cranked.

- Mobile, AL, USA

Something in the engine, harness or module, allows the computer to overheat suddenly, through 3 batters and 2 alternators in 4 months last alternator lasted 2 drives... car dies nancy depressive light show and died then the battery and alternator is fried. Hyundia dealership refusing to check harness or module because my VIN number isn't listed in recall although my car is in the recall. The car has died 4 times requiring towing. The car died when driving after about 10 miles. Car has brand new battery. Starter works fine. It died in the middle if a streetceach time twice was at night. And I am a disabled woman who uses a wheelchair. Monday June 24th was the most recent time at 1 pm in 104 degree heat for 5 hours with a heart condition which was doubly dangerous situation. The battery died eventually leaving me with no hazards. What to charge me to replace a 3 rd alternator without checking harness or module a scam!

- Tucson, AZ, USA

The vehicle developed a low end engine rattle during idle. The noise would go away on acceleration. Today the engine failed. It won't turn over at all. It's seized up. I checked the oil and the oil is full. I bought this vehicle when it was 2 years old. I've used synthetic oil and changed the oil every 3 - 4,000 miles. The symptoms are identical to the ones on the sonata and other various models. My vehicle was manufactured here in the states. An engine is a huge expense. Especially if it's due to manufacturer negligence. I will never buy another Hyundai or Kia again at this point.

- Stow, OH, USA

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe was being driven on the city streets at a speed of approx. 30mph when the engine starting making a loud noise in the engine. Found the engine has a bent rod. The car has 110,000 miles and has had a regular oil change ever since we bought the car. Has anyone else had this problem. All other vehicles I have owned or own now last well over 200,000 miles. Had to tow the vehicle home 80 miles. Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else. Never had a warning this was about to happen. Thank goodness he was on a city street..

- Pearland, TX, USA

While driving the vehicle the engine stopped running without warning or symptoms. It would not restart. It needed to be towed. Further investigation found the engine had seized.

- Mount Pocono, PA, USA

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe began to drive rough on the freeway, slight tugging, rattling sound under the hood and would not accelerate above 60mph, check engine and oil light came on. I exited the freeway and it stalled at red light. Started it up and then stalled 3 more times at every red light on the way home. I added oil and made service appt. Brought in for service died once on the way and again at the service center but did not start back up. Mechanic said engine failed due to crank shaft spun bearing. Sensors did not appear in advance sensors appeared too late causing damage to engine. My car is only 7 years bought brand new out of show room no previous major issues. Multiple complaints on line showing same problem with others. Unacceptable and dangerous

- Pinole, CA, USA

While driving home on Wednesday December 12 2018 my Hyundai Santa Fe engine caught on fire and burned up the whole front end.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 5 mph and attempting to park, the engine suddenly revved very high, the rpms increased, and the vehicle attempted to accelerate. The driver immediately depressed the brake pedal and shut the engine off to prevent the vehicle from accelerating forward and crashing into a wall. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 123,279.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

Engine noise at cold start. When starting the vehicle after the car has sat for over an hour, a loud rattle noise is heard for 3-5 seconds. The noise is coming from oil starvation. I have been quoted that is a timing chain and guide issue. Several people online are experiencing the same problem.

- Delaware, OH, USA