NHTSA Complaint #11649854 — 2020 HYUNDAI PALISADE

Description of Incident: The engine in my 2020 Hyundai Palisade Limited failed and ultimately seized despite having been regularly maintained and receiving an oil change less than 3,000 miles prior to the failure. The component that failed was the engine, and according to the dealership, it is seized and no longer operable. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The failure posed a significant safety risk. The engine began shaking while the vehicle was in motion, creating a sudden loss of power and drivability. I pulled over immediately and discovered that the engine oil dipstick was dry. I added oil right away, but the engine shut down shortly after. The abrupt loss of engine function while driving could have led to a serious accident had I been in traffic or at highway speed. Reproduction / Confirmation: Yes, the issue was confirmed by Hyundai at Courtesy, a certified Hyundai dealership. They diagnosed the engine as seized and also confirmed that oil was present at the time of inspection, ruling out owner neglect. Inspections Conducted: The vehicle and failed component (engine) have been inspected by the dealership, who submitted a case to Hyundai. However, the case was denied for goodwill coverage despite the circumstances. The manufacturer has been notified but has not physically inspected the engine themselves beyond the dealership’s report. Warning Lamps or Symptoms: No Check Engine Light, oil pressure warning, or any dashboard message illuminated prior to or during the failure. The only symptom was engine shaking, which began just before the engine shut down. The oil loss occurred silently and without warning, making the issue especially dangerous and difficult to detect in time.