NHTSA Complaint #11635350 — 2016 HYUNDAI SONATA

Hyundai Motor America (HMA) denied my engine replacement claim (PA# [XXX]) under their extended warranty program, specifically campaign TXXI. This claim involves my 2016 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.4 , VIN # [XXX] , which exhibits all the symptoms and engine damage outlined in the campaign, yet my request for a free engine replacement has been unjustly denied. Campaign TXXI, as explained in the Technical Service Bulletin issued by Hyundai, extends the engine warranty applicable to 2015-2019 model year Sonata (LF) vehicles equipped with Theta II 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines. This warranty covers engine long block repair or replacement due to engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear and extends to a Limited Lifetime Warranty, valid for both original and subsequent owners. o On or about [XXX], my vehicle exhibited a blinking check engine light on the dash, entered into limp mode, and a knocking noise was coming from the engine. o As I was driving the vehicle to the Hyundai of North Miami Service Center on [XXX] (21400 NW 2nd av., Miami, FL 33169) for inspection, the engine locked up and stop, necessitating a call to a towing truck company to complete the trip. o Upon inspection, the service center identified significant engine damage, including, engine mechanical failure unable to turn on, and recommended that the vehicle require a new engine replacement. o These findings align with the engine damage described under campaign TXXI. o Despite meeting the campaign criteria, HMA denied my claim (PA#XXX) for an engine replacement on 11/22/2024. o HMA based its denial to my claim on the review of engine pictures and my inability to provide evidence supporting oil maintenance intervals between 35k- 68k miles, 78k-99k miles, and 142k-163k miles. HMA cited these maintenance gaps as the basis for suspecting engine neglect, some indications of sludge found on the engine, as the reason for the engine failure and subsequent locking. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.