NHTSA Complaint #11442012 — 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

On September 4, 2021 at approximately 11:30pm, my vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure while driving on a busy freeway in Southern California. There was no warning, only an immediate power lost and inability to accelerate, followed by a flashing check engine light and a chiming alert bell. My husband was driving and he was able to make it across 3 busy traffic lanes to the emergency lane. The sudden lost of power and the inability to accelerate created a significant danger on this busy freeway, California State Route 91. I believe we could have caused a significant accident on that freeway if we had not been able to pull over to the emergency lane in time. Since this incident, I learned through my own online research, that my vehicle was included in a class-action lawsuit which was settled on June 10, 2021. I purchased my vehicle used in late January 2021, and I was never informed of the danger the Theta II GDI engine in my vehicle posed. My engine was replaced under the Lifetime Warranty provided by the Settlement Agreement, however, I am very concerned that the hazards that this vehicle posed to my family was never revealed by the dealer I purchased it from or by Hyundai in the months following my purchase. I hope something can be done to warn other used car buyers at the time they purchase a vehicle involved in this this Class-Action Settlement of the dangers the engine poses.