Hyundai Recalls 570,000 Sonatas and Accents - Could other 4-Cylinder Hyundais be Affected?

In news that was completely overshadowed by Volkswagen 'fessing up about rigging its diesels to pass emissions test but to be far dirtier in real life, Hyundai announced last week that it was recalling 570,000 Sonata and Accent models.  This is somewhat more than the number of US-based cars affected by the Volkswagen fiasco. Moreover, as far as owners' impact is concerned, the problems with the Hyundai's are more expensive or are more dangerous.

Here's the Sonata Recall information

Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
HYUNDAI SONATA 2011-2012

Details

Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America

SUMMARY:
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, 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.

CONSEQUENCE:
Engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the engine assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will increase the warranty for the engine sub-assembly (short block) to 10 years/120,000 miles for both original and subsequent owners of 2011 and 2012 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engines. An interim notification will be mailed by November 2, 2015. A second notification will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign132. Hyundai's number for this recall is 132.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

In other words, Hyundai Sonatas with the most popular engines, the 4-cylinder engines from 2011 and 2012 model years may have a defectively machined crankshaft that may send metal pieces through the oil lines which could cause the engine to throw a rod or otherwise completely bite the dust.

This is not an arbitrary or potential problem. I have clients who suffered this exact problem with their 2011 Sonata, and Hyundai told them they were out of luck because the car had just passed 100,000 miles.

Based on just a couple hour's inquiry, I think that this recall and warranty extension will go past the Sonata and also include Genesis and Veloster models with the Turbo-4 cylinder.  It may be due to shavings but it may also be due to LSPI, low speed pre-ignition which can be a problem with a direct-injeccted engine that is not running perfectly.

Here's a youtube video posted by someone whose 2014 Veloster Turbo blew an engine.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NuDB_tiIjHU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here is the problem with the Accent, the brake lights might not come on when you hit the brakes, also tapping the brakes may not deactivate the cruise control.  I would call this a serious problem.

RECALL Subject : Brake Light Switch may not Function

Report Receipt Date: SEP 08, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V566000
Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 99,500
All Products Associated with this Recall

Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
HYUNDAI ACCENT 2009-2011

Details

Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America

SUMMARY:
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent vehicles manufactured March 1, 2009, to February 11, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning brake light switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning brake light switch may also prevent the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position.

CONSEQUENCE:
Failure to illuminate the brake lights during braking or the inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 1-855-671-3059 or by visiting www.HyundaiUSA.com/Campaign131. Hyundai's number for this recall is 131. This recall is an expansion of 13V-113.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.


When you have a serious problem with your vehicle that you suspect might be related to a weakness in the car's design or manufacturing, you should do an online search to see if other owners are reporting the same problem.  Then, you should put your car's make, model, and year in the google box along with the phrase "technical service bulletins" or "TSBs". Also, put in the make, model year of your car and "recalls".  These three searches will tell you first if there is a common problem with the car and whether dealers have been put on alert to look for the problem or given specific instructions on how to handle it.  These technical service bulletins or TSBs can in some cases be similar to a "secret warranty" where the manufacturer will fix a problem that technically isn't covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

If you think the dealer is wasting your time or trying to stall because they don't know what to do about a problem, then you are probably right.  If your gut tells you you should see a lawyer, then you are probably right as well.  In most areas you can find an consumer lawyer experienced in automobile issues by going to the NACA.net website.  Most consumer lawyers will at least talk to you on the phone or by email the first time for free.

AS A SEPARATE ISSUE, IF YOU HAVE HAD A HYUNDAI VEHICLE BOUGHT BACK UNDER A STATE LEMON LAW IN THE PAST 4 YEARS, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU.  IF YOU HAVE BOUGHT A HYUNDAI IN THE PAST 4 YEARS THAT EITHER HAS A LEMON LAW BUYBACK TITLE OR SHOULD HAVE HAD A LEMON LAW BUYBACK TITLE, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK WITH YOU.  Please call 317-662-4529.