NHTSA Complaint #11422698 — 2014 HYUNDAI SONATA

On 06/11/2021, I visited Hyundai Harrisonburg, VA service center to perform some recalls as per the attached documents. I was told that the engine is covered by a lifetime warranty and they didn't charge me anything. They performed recall #162 for the engine problem & installed a special software to monitor the knocking problem. They didn't open the engine to check the crank or the bearing wear. They asked me to keep an eye on the engine and if any thing happens, I could return back immediately to them. Only after 6 days, smoke started to go out of the exhaust and I couldn't drive the vehicle over 40 MPH. I drove the vehicle to them and left it for a week. After a week; when I called them, they told me that the engine needs to be changed with a new one but they couldn't contact Hyundai USA to send them a new engine because the car was driven more than 120K miles as per Hyundai rule (10 years/120K miles). I told the service center manager that it's a lifetime warranty according to the Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America Resolve Engine Litigation [https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/2883] He said that Hyundai should approve it to replace the engine and I should contact them for approval. So I contacted NHTSA to get me that approval instead of wasting my time explaining the litigation. I couldn't drive the vehicle since then because of the heavy smoke. I towed it from the Service Center to my home and submitted the complaint. I consulted 2 mechanics who advised me not to drive the vehicle to avoid engine explosion or an accident. It's not safe to drive the vehicle for me and for others in the street. The litigation is very clear that engine warranty is lifetime and the problem that happened to it is what that warranty covers. Smoke and low speed driving mode are some of many symptoms of that issue. I am waiving my right of compensation for towing or rentals and I don't want any compensation other than engine swap ASAP. I want them to tow it back. Thanks