(Complaint originally written and emailed to all Hyundai executives that an email could be found for. Also, shortened version posted on BBB).
RE: T3G Campaign
VIN# 5XYZTDLBXHG413763
To All That It Concerns:
Although I have loved my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD for almost 5 years, had I known there were potential engine issues on this vehicle, I never would have purchased it. I purchased it from a dealer in VA in January 2020. The letter regarding the T3G campaign that went out to dealers and service managers from Hyundai (easily found with a Google search) is dated for October 2019.
The fact that this vehicle was knowingly sold with a potential engine issue is shady at best.
The fact that Hyundai has allowed so many vehicles to remain on the road and did not conduct a full recall shows how little they care about their customers' lives.
We never received any information regarding the T3G campaign. If it hadn’t been for an honest mechanic and my following research, I never would have known that that is the ultimate issue we are dealing with. And the crowning issue that will cause me to get rid of my Santa Fe and purchase a different vehicle (that will NOT be a Hyundai/Kia). This was supposed to be my car for another 10 years or so. Instead, I got just a month shy of 5 years.
We took my car to the nearest dealership on 12/16/24. Had an 8am appointment. Mind you the closest dealer is 45 minutes away (Valdese, NC). We were there for almost FIVE HOURS!
They said they ran diagnostics and could only come up with the P0302 Misfire code. Without running further tests, they adamantly claimed there was a dead cylinder and that the only fix was to replace the engine. That it wasn’t worth taking apart to find the reason. Note: Spark plugs were replaced 2 weeks before this visit on Dec 1, 2024 after we started having car troubles on the way to our family vacation!
They refused to listen to my concerns about the T3G campaign. Said in no way did my vehicle have that issue. That they couldn't even run the tests because it wasn't throwing the P1326 code currently (but it did throw that code back in September. I have the print out showing that). They didn't even do anything about the current open recalls or about the current code (P0302) the car is throwing (which is because of the overall issue). They said, “oh, we only have 1 tech & he doesn't have time”. No offer to keep the vehicle, refusal of a loaner when I asked since we were stuck there at their mercy.
Corporate confirmed that my vehicle has had the correct service campaigns completed to qualify for the T3G campaign, should the need arise. The only thing that Corporate could suggest was to go to a different dealer.
The dealership tried to tell me that the excessive oil consumption wasn't because of T3G. When I have done lots of research and because of the metal shavings left in the engine of these vehicles when built, the excessive oil consumption is indeed part of the issue. Since mid-September I’ve had to add nearly a quart of oil a week. I have been consistent with oil changes for the life I’ve had this vehicle. I have talked to countless Hyundai owners (mostly previous owners at this point) that beg to differ about the excessive oil consumption indeed being a side effect of metal shavings in the engine.
So now I have called corporate at least twice. They promised that a case manager would return my call and that my case would be expedited. It has been a full week and not a single call or email regarding my “case”.
We are very upset over the way they refused to do anything (even the active recalls) while we were there for 5 hours. Even after coming to the waiting room and saying that they needed to run another test and we said “OK”, they didn’t proceed. We have no answers and no solutions. Towards the end, the service manager was practically shouting that this car would absolutely leave me stranded, that it wasn’t safe to drive, and that the only option to fix any of it was to replace the engine or get rid of it.
None of my concerns were addressed. I was basically told there was nothing they could do and it wasn't worth it. Driving isn’t safe, but what choice do I have? My child is in the car with me 90% of the time, and it is winter here so at times, bitter cold temperatures. Being stranded is a very real concern to our wellbeing and safety.
If we paid to have a new engine put in, we would spend more on the new engine/labor than the car is worth at trade in value in good condition. And no one can give me a guarantee that a new engine (even brand new from YOUR factory) would not have the same problem that is happening now. That in itself tells me that Hyundai doesn’t believe in rectifying harmful situations and that they don’t stand behind their products nor care for the safety and wellbeing of their customers.
So now I'm expected to drive in its current condition- praying I don't get stranded or worse. It is appalling to me that Hyundai KNOWINGLY put these vehicles on the road KNOWING that many of them were bound to leave their customers stranded with high bills or worse!!
Hyundai, you should have issued an actual recall the minute this problem was noted!!! You have been deceitful and caused harm to many people.
Hyundai could make this right by immediately authorizing an engine replacement for my vehicle and that includes a loaner vehicle during the repair time. And to cover the tow charge because at this point, the nearest dealership is nearly an hour away via interstate. This vehicle is in no condition to be driven that far safely.
This is a 2017 Santa Fe Sport with 116000 miles on it. I am aware of the class action lawsuit and settlement from a few years back. I had no knowledge at that time so of course was not able to be a part of that. Again, secrecy and dishonesty are terrible business practices. I do have a copy of the Settlement Agreement from this lawsuit. Along with the letter that Hyundai sent out to their dealers/service managers regarding directions for the T3G campaign (again, dated for 10/2019).
We have no choice but to find a more dependable vehicle.
Do the right thing, Hyundai. Issue an actual recall. Replace this engine.
I am not afraid to inform everyone I know about the problems we've discovered with Hyundai. Not just the terrible customer service and lack of care, but also the poor quality products and parts you are somehow still allowed to produce. I will also be contacting the BBB, NHTSA, carcomplaints.com, along with sharing on social media.
However, if this situation is made right, the above will include the original complaint, plus whatever Hyundai does to make it right.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
(Complaint originally written and emailed to all Hyundai executives that an email could be found for. Also, shortened version posted on BBB).
RE: T3G Campaign VIN# 5XYZTDLBXHG413763 To All That It Concerns: Although I have loved my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD for almost 5 years, had I known there were potential engine issues on this vehicle, I never would have purchased it. I purchased it from a dealer in VA in January 2020. The letter regarding the T3G campaign that went out to dealers and service managers from Hyundai (easily found with a Google search) is dated for October 2019. The fact that this vehicle was knowingly sold with a potential engine issue is shady at best. The fact that Hyundai has allowed so many vehicles to remain on the road and did not conduct a full recall shows how little they care about their customers' lives.
We never received any information regarding the T3G campaign. If it hadn’t been for an honest mechanic and my following research, I never would have known that that is the ultimate issue we are dealing with. And the crowning issue that will cause me to get rid of my Santa Fe and purchase a different vehicle (that will NOT be a Hyundai/Kia). This was supposed to be my car for another 10 years or so. Instead, I got just a month shy of 5 years. We took my car to the nearest dealership on 12/16/24. Had an 8am appointment. Mind you the closest dealer is 45 minutes away (Valdese, NC). We were there for almost FIVE HOURS! They said they ran diagnostics and could only come up with the P0302 Misfire code. Without running further tests, they adamantly claimed there was a dead cylinder and that the only fix was to replace the engine. That it wasn’t worth taking apart to find the reason. Note: Spark plugs were replaced 2 weeks before this visit on Dec 1, 2024 after we started having car troubles on the way to our family vacation! They refused to listen to my concerns about the T3G campaign. Said in no way did my vehicle have that issue. That they couldn't even run the tests because it wasn't throwing the P1326 code currently (but it did throw that code back in September. I have the print out showing that). They didn't even do anything about the current open recalls or about the current code (P0302) the car is throwing (which is because of the overall issue). They said, “oh, we only have 1 tech & he doesn't have time”. No offer to keep the vehicle, refusal of a loaner when I asked since we were stuck there at their mercy.
Corporate confirmed that my vehicle has had the correct service campaigns completed to qualify for the T3G campaign, should the need arise. The only thing that Corporate could suggest was to go to a different dealer. The dealership tried to tell me that the excessive oil consumption wasn't because of T3G. When I have done lots of research and because of the metal shavings left in the engine of these vehicles when built, the excessive oil consumption is indeed part of the issue. Since mid-September I’ve had to add nearly a quart of oil a week. I have been consistent with oil changes for the life I’ve had this vehicle. I have talked to countless Hyundai owners (mostly previous owners at this point) that beg to differ about the excessive oil consumption indeed being a side effect of metal shavings in the engine.
So now I have called corporate at least twice. They promised that a case manager would return my call and that my case would be expedited. It has been a full week and not a single call or email regarding my “case”. We are very upset over the way they refused to do anything (even the active recalls) while we were there for 5 hours. Even after coming to the waiting room and saying that they needed to run another test and we said “OK”, they didn’t proceed. We have no answers and no solutions. Towards the end, the service manager was practically shouting that this car would absolutely leave me stranded, that it wasn’t safe to drive, and that the only option to fix any of it was to replace the engine or get rid of it. None of my concerns were addressed. I was basically told there was nothing they could do and it wasn't worth it. Driving isn’t safe, but what choice do I have? My child is in the car with me 90% of the time, and it is winter here so at times, bitter cold temperatures. Being stranded is a very real concern to our wellbeing and safety.
If we paid to have a new engine put in, we would spend more on the new engine/labor than the car is worth at trade in value in good condition. And no one can give me a guarantee that a new engine (even brand new from YOUR factory) would not have the same problem that is happening now. That in itself tells me that Hyundai doesn’t believe in rectifying harmful situations and that they don’t stand behind their products nor care for the safety and wellbeing of their customers. So now I'm expected to drive in its current condition- praying I don't get stranded or worse. It is appalling to me that Hyundai KNOWINGLY put these vehicles on the road KNOWING that many of them were bound to leave their customers stranded with high bills or worse!! Hyundai, you should have issued an actual recall the minute this problem was noted!!! You have been deceitful and caused harm to many people.
Hyundai could make this right by immediately authorizing an engine replacement for my vehicle and that includes a loaner vehicle during the repair time. And to cover the tow charge because at this point, the nearest dealership is nearly an hour away via interstate. This vehicle is in no condition to be driven that far safely.
This is a 2017 Santa Fe Sport with 116000 miles on it. I am aware of the class action lawsuit and settlement from a few years back. I had no knowledge at that time so of course was not able to be a part of that. Again, secrecy and dishonesty are terrible business practices. I do have a copy of the Settlement Agreement from this lawsuit. Along with the letter that Hyundai sent out to their dealers/service managers regarding directions for the T3G campaign (again, dated for 10/2019). We have no choice but to find a more dependable vehicle.
Do the right thing, Hyundai. Issue an actual recall. Replace this engine. I am not afraid to inform everyone I know about the problems we've discovered with Hyundai. Not just the terrible customer service and lack of care, but also the poor quality products and parts you are somehow still allowed to produce. I will also be contacting the BBB, NHTSA, carcomplaints.com, along with sharing on social media. However, if this situation is made right, the above will include the original complaint, plus whatever Hyundai does to make it right.
- Jess B., Marion, US