What 74 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Azera

In 2023, Hyundai approved to pay for repairs of vehicles that suffer premature engine failures due to issues such as low oil, metal debris and/or fire in the engine. These issues were predominately found in the GDI engines in Kia and Hyundai vehicles. This suit failed to take into account the Hyundai Azera model and the 3.3 GDI engine. Same engine maker as the 2.2 and 2.4 models. My car stalled out in the middle of traffic with no warning lights for low oil or engine issues. The car was serviced previously with no coded issues noted accept excessive oil burning which was noted with all Hyundai models from the last decade. The GDI 3.3 has the most noted issues and is the most expensive to replace from the dealer. The engines are failing before the car is broken in the manufacture is making money on the replacement engines from customers who are still trying to pay the car off.

NHTSA ODI 11614557

My engine failed after only 104k miles. I took my car in to get an oil change and it had rod knock which randomly started when I had oil already in the engine. This was just a random failure because it was completely find the day before and then the next day it started when I knew i was going to put more oil in in just in case and it failed.

NHTSA ODI 11584723

Mechanic found metal in engine oil. Stated that the engine appeared to be "deteriorating" as the metal was not a contaminant, but instead he determined it to be from the engine itself.

NHTSA ODI 11562123

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal noises. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a lifter noise on cold startup. The vehicle was then taken to Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai (2871 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy, Hillsboro, OR 97123) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Dick's Hillsboro Hyundai informed the contact that authorization from the manufacturer was needed before servicing the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the noises coming from the vehicle were normal. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11496578

The engine started knocking while I was driving. The car experienced sluggish performance afterwards, and hesitancy in acceleration. Hyundai has recalled other vehicles for engine knocking, but not the Azera.

NHTSA ODI 11477515

The engine failed in this vehicle as I was driving down the road. It immediately started knocking violently without warning. I was left stranded with my 4 children and had to pay for towing. The problem still persists upon starting. The vehicle had been inspected numerous times prior to incident due to a ticking noise upon cranking and I was informed by dealer that this is normal. Upon incident there was no warning lights or inclination that this was going to happen. I have since been told by multiple mechanics that the crank rod is faulty in this 3.3L Hyundai engine and that in order to replace it you must buy a refurbished engine with an aftermarket part due to the faulty manufacturer part.

NHTSA ODI 11444976

WHEN STARTING THE CAR YOU HEAR A LOUD CLATTERING NOISE. AND IT DOESN'T GO AWAY. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A OIL CHANGE, OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED. THE NOISE WAS STILL HAPPENING TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEN WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TIMING TENSION BELT. WASTED MY MONEY BECAUSE THE ISSUE STILL WASN'T FIXED. AND NOW WHEN I START MY CAR IT A LOUDER NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE AND WHILING DRIVING MY CAR STALLS REALLY BACK AND WHILE DRIVING I CAN STILL HEAR THE NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11315800

KNOCKING NOISE WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR THEN SUDDENLY LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. THEN SUDDENLY A ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THEN ENGINE LOCKING UP.

NHTSA ODI 11291840

KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR SUDDEN LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING ,SUDDEN ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11166481

AFTER MY VEHICLE HAS SIT FOR A ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE WHEN STARTED THEIR IS A LOUD CLATTERING RATTLE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT A FEW SECONDS AND IT GOES AWAY. TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND I KEEP BEING TOLD ITS NOTHING. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN APRIL 2017 AND HAPPENS EVERYDAY.

NHTSA ODI 11142539