NHTSA Complaint #11618243 — 2014 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

My 2014 Hyundai Sonata is subject to the recall campaign for the 2.0L and 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. Since June 24, 2024, the vehicle has exhibited multiple issues: 1. Check Engine Light: The check engine light is continuously on and blinking, signaling that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Diagnostic codes retrieved include P0140 (O2 Circuit), P0172 (System Too Rich), and P0126 (Knock Sensor Circuit). While the P0126 code pertains to the knock sensor, there has been no definitive diagnosis to determine if the issue is isolated to the sensor or indicative of a deeper engine problem. 2. Engine Power Issue: The car experiences jolts and kicks back during acceleration, along with intermittent lack of power. Furthermore, an independent mechanic performed some tests on the engine, determining that it runs too rich. After the second white smoke through exhaust incident, the vehicle struggles, and often does not reach, 60 MPH; aligning with "Reduced power and/or hesitation" (case #2) in the recall campaign. 3. Exhaust Smoke: On two separate occasions, within a month, white smoke has been observed exiting the exhaust. Engine oil has been below 3/5 empty each time. No oil leak found; must be exiting through exhaust. Despite qualifying for the recall, the Hyundai Colorado Springs dealer has refused to inspect or replace the engine as required. These ongoing issues pose significant safety risks, including the potential for unexpected engine failure and loss of power while driving.