NHTSA Complaint #11520619 — 2013 HYUNDAI VELOSTER

On 9/27/2022, I wrote a letter to the NHTSA (which was published in a PDF) outlining the reasons why all Veloster's (2011-2014) equipped with 1.6 L GDI engines are having Detonation And Catastrophic Failures. To sum it up, the real reason is the compression ratio is "much higher" than recommended for use with Regular 87 Octane Fuel. The compression ratio in the Base Model is: 11:1 and the Turbo Equipped Model is: 10:1. A compression ratio of 11:1 is "boarder line" for 105 Octane Race Fuel. The 11:1 compression ratio creates a Higher Combustion Chamber Temperature, which ignites the fuel air mixture before the Piston Reaches TDC. This causes excessive pressure on the Pistons and Rods, because the cylinder is firing while the Piston Is In It's Upward Travel. While even though the compression ratio is lower for the Turbo Model, the Turbo Boost creates a higher cylinder pressure. That higher cylinder pressure combined with the detonation issues caused by the Low Octane Fuel, creates excessive pressure on the Pistons And Connecting Rods. This is what is causing these engines to fail! Hyundai has since installed a Dual CVVT Phase Regulator which lowers the Compression (by bleeding off Cylinder pressure) when the Knock Sensor detects Detonation. This is on all replacement GDI Engines. Many of the Hyundai And Kia Models use these same engines. Many of those models have already been recalled, but due to "Under Performing Sales" ours have not. The Veloster did not really "take off" until 2015. That's why the 2015-2016 Models (with the same engine) have Engine Recalls. If you have heard a Continuous Engine Knock your Engine already has Internal Engine Damage, but everyone who owns one of these Veloster's (that is still in running condition) should Immediately switch to Premium Fuel. Premium Fuel will help Prevent Detonation, And Temporarily Prevent Engine Failure. All of these Engines need to be Immediately Recalled, to provide for The Safety Of Our Family And Ourselves!