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Recall - "Connecting Rod Wear may Result in Engine Stall"

844K views 3K replies 341 participants last post by  flemmons 
#1 ·
I got an email from the DOT that there is an imminent recall for 2011-12 2.0 & 2.4 Sontatas regarding connecting rod bearing failures.

There is a VIN lookup here:

https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/

It says that there is no remedy yet and that we will be getting a letter from Hyundai. The tone of the DOT email was that you should should not delay in getting this fixed because it is a significant safety hazard, so I suppose Hyundai will be getting on this ASAP.
 
#2,903 ·
Hit 200,500 miles. Have not gotten the update. Still mini oil use.

Oh, but I did get my 775756765454 recall. This one for my seat belt not staying clicked. It's been doing it for a couple months. As long as I tug on it it sets.

I don't want the knock update but if I take it on for the airbag (another recall) and seat belt I won't have a choice. As a side note, no issues with the civic we bough in october.
 
#2,904 ·
I don't want the knock update but if I take it on for the airbag (another recall) and seat belt I won't have a choice. As a side note, no issues with the civic we bough in october.
Not sure if it's different when you take the vehicle in for another recall but I did my annual visit to the dealership last Nov for my odo reading and refused the 953 update - didn't encounter any resistance. In your case with the mileage I'd might get in done as you could wind up with a new engine - my assumption being that given it's a Theta II and your crank bearing days are likely short in number. The airbag and seat belt sound more like legitimate safety related recalls and Hyundai could have liability exposure if they refuse to do them and something bad happens. I think you hold more cards here than you realize. I have given notice I'd sue a dealer before if a fault that constituted a safety issue wasn't taken care of and suddenly my problem was resolved.
 
#2,907 ·
Lifetime warranty on engine for original and replacement engine, plus all owners IF the KSDS update is done, so if not done hope you have deep pockets.

Really don't know why people hedge on getting the update as the percentage of problems associated with the update is very minimal, almost nil considering the millions of cars that have had the update.
 
#2,908 ·
Can you provide statistics about that very minimal percentage you cite (Hyundai doesn't) and produce the statement that requires KSDS to qualify for the lifetime warranty ?

thanks
 
#2,913 ·
Great, get the KSDS update done and hopefully we'll hear back positive results, and with the lifetime warranty, can't go wrong.

I'll repeat that they replaced the engine in the '11 Optima 2.0T for high oil consumption, 2 qts. 730 miles, with 172,000 miles, 8 days, along with no cost and a free loaner. Can't beat the deal and the replacement engine comes with the Lifetime Warranty to all owners, so hopefully that would be a great selling point when car replacement becomes necessary.
 
#2,921 ·
Well, you talked me into scheduling the update but then COVID hit and I put it off.

5 days ago wife called while driving it and asked if the care had been "missing". I said no and she brought it home. As she pulled into the driveway it stalled again.

Knock, Knock.Who's there? My engine...

201,858 miles.

Dealership said Hyundai approved "complete engine". 2-3 weeks.

Picking up rental in the morning.

So, do I have the mileage record for a new engine at 201,858?


If anyone cares. Oil changes done between 5000-7500 miles with basic fram oil filter. I did a few changes and Walmart the rest. Was using a tad bit of oil but nothing odd to me, I had a 96 Saturn that drank it.
 
#2,914 ·
This may be a huge lifesaver for me. My wife and I's car has been dead on and off for months and currently just off. It's 2011 but only has 60k on it. It's been driving me nuts. I assume since it's dead in the water they'll come tow it. Another ASSumption would be since the car isn't running, they will have to get it running again to do the test. I just hope they replace the engine, I'm so tired of having issues with this car.
 
#2,920 ·
according to all the lawsuit websites: May 8, 2020 - Settlement Given Conditional Preliminary Approval

they agreed to provide a lifetime warranty on the engine. read about it What Hyundai, Kia Drivers Need to Know About the $758 Million Engine Fire Settlement

On a side note: my "new engine" that I had replaced back in 9/2019 is already making rod knock noises with 11,000 miles... Guess I got a dud of an engine...

Opened a case with Hyundai Customer care to determine next steps.
 
#2,928 ·
Yeah, I've been really surprised that Hyundai has been honoring these claims. It's nice to see a manufacturer owning up to a crappy engine.
 
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#2,931 ·
Replacing engines is Hyundai's punishment for not replacing engines under warranty and blaming the consumer for all engine failures.

If badly engineered Hyundai supported their owners, their would be no class action lawsuit and they wouldn't have taken a beating.

Enjoy your new/rebuilt engine in your 200k mile vehicle.
 
#2,932 ·
I've been checked out of this thread for a little while now, but didn't it come down to the incorrect type (low tension) of piston rings used on the GDI engines? That would certainly cause a problem, and it makes a lot of sense.
However, that doesn't explain why some last 200k+, meanwhile you have others failing at under 50k miles. I think Hyundai's engine building is very spotty and poor.
 
#2,933 ·
I've been checked out of this thread for a little while now, but didn't it come down to the incorrect type (low tension) of piston rings used on the GDI engines?
The whistleblower in Korea mentions they knew of cylinder warp (not cooling properly/going out of round) causing seizure of the piston. They are not admitting what is wrong...just that they will make good on the warranty of same.
 
#2,934 ·
Do you think when they say, "debris left after the cleaning process" they actually mean silica that is left in the water jacket restricting water flow? (Read previous post if necessary to understand)
 
#2,936 ·
Huh... you may be onto something. A good cooling system flush would likely clean that out though, no?
 
#2,935 ·
I wonder if the going out of round is caused by running the engine at low RPM under max torque in eco mode, combined with the short piston skirts. It would put enormous side thrust on the pistons into the walls with little surface area to spread the force out.
 
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#2,938 ·
Mr. Engine blown at 201,858 reporting back,

Got a call from my Hyundai Case Worker. I asked if it was a small block and she said "it just says new engine". All she could "see" was it was under the 132 recall. She told me the process to get reimbursed for the tow, $233. Day 3 of rental. They put me in a Nissan Armada. This thing is the size of a tank.

She did say any accessories like starter would not be replaced, just "engine". I asked just in case the engine caused issues with anything else. She said anything needing replaced due to the engine death would need to be submitted by the dealer with proof. Hope that isn't needed. And that old belts, timing chain would be reused.
 
#2,939 ·
Easy to pay for new serpentine belt and radiator hoses....and have drivetrain mounts inspected

Talk to the dealer and verify what is or isnt included

Its a long block
 
#2,940 ·
Timing chain, water pump, head, valves, oil pan, valve cover are included, injectors, starter,alternator, belt are not.You also get a red dipstick
 
#2,941 ·
Technically, the red dipstick came from an earlier recall to increase the amount of oil in the engine. If your original engine was working fine, the dipstick would be replaced from the yellow one to the red one as part of the recall. Replacement engines just happen to have the recall implemented and have the red dipstick already on them.
 
#2,942 · (Edited)
The orange one was the longer one, when they did the software update.
yellow, orange, and red dipstick meanings in this link:

 
#2,943 ·
Uh, yeah, I'd hope the timing chain, water pump, etc. are included. It's supposed to be a long block, you're telling me they're going to open it up and transfer over an old timing chain? That's nuts. Then again, I've heard of dealers doing crazier/lazier things.
 
#2,947 ·
A "long block' is always with the heads, timing chain, usually water pump vs a "short block" no heads so no timing chain. All of the warranty engine replacements Ive heard of are long blocks.
 
#2,948 ·
Thing is, I've gone through it too... But I don't think I ever got the orange one. I clearly remember going to the dealership for it, but they didn't have the part. And I never got around to getting it because the engine failed not long after and I got the replacement one. So I guess I never knew there was an orange one and a red one.
 
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