What 48 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Hyundai Azera

While driving at approximately 70MPH on the highway, my 2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited suddenly locked up with no warning lights, no noise and no prior symptoms. The engine completely seized, causing immediate loss of power. I was barely able to coast off the highway exit to a final stop on the feeder shoulder, in a desolate area. The vehicle has always been properly maintained and is in excellent condition. Upon research, I learned that Hyundai has known of internal engine defects caused by metallic debris left from manufacturing since 2010, which can cause bearing failure and engine seizure. My Tucson's failure matches the same pattern described in Hyundai's Theta II engine recall and warranty extension campaigns. This sudden failure created an extremely dangerous situation at highway speed and possibility of injury while being stranded on an open road. Many owners, myself included, were never properly notified of the risks. I am filing this report because this incident represents a serious safety defect and potential recurrence among similar vehicles that may not yet be covered by recall. I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate this issue and ensure Hyundai expands its recall and warranty coverage to include affected 2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited vehicles exhibiting this defect that was well-known to the Hyundai Corporation. Date of Incident: October 23,2025 in Houston Texas. Vehicle towed to Hyundai dealer which diagnosed Engine Seized and currently awaiting Warranty Extension Approval (TXXC/TXXI)

NHTSA ODI 11697541

Received recalled letter in mail for car almost 9 months ago. Hyundai has yet to issue fix. 9 months to fix a potential life threatening issue is ridiculous. To top things off we are told to continue driving the car even though it will eventually explode into a fireball of a mess after enough brake fluid leaks into electrical components. We have a 9 month old baby and the Hyundai Azera is considered our “family car”. Fix this asap! You’re putting families in danger. Either fix or supply families with a loaner car. Additionally, the advice from the car company is to leave car outside to avoid your house catching on fire. We are told to keep cars outside knowing these specific cars are theft liabilities.

NHTSA ODI 11580430

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Azera. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11562394

AT 120K MILES, UPON START, VEHICLE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. NO ENGINE LIGHT HAD APPEARED IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE CONTINUED MAKING CLICKING SOUND AND BEGAN TO STALL WHEN DRIVEN OVER 40MPH. BEFORE VEHICLE COULD EVEN BE SEEN FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH REPAIR SHOP, VEHICLE COMPLETELY DIED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR SHOP. UPON REVIEW, ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED AND DIED. NO INDICATION OF ENGINE ISSUES NOTED THROUGH DASH LIGHTS. SEEMS CONSISTANT WITH OTHER HYUNDAI ISSUES CONCERNING ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11448596

Day 1: Vehicle engine began to make a knocking sound…engine light never came on. Vehicle when at higher speed would make a really loud knocking sound so it had to be driven under 50mph. Within 3 days, vehicle completely cut off in traffic and coasted into parking lot of nearby store. Had to be towed to mechanic in which they informed the engine locked up and could not be repaired. I was quoted a cost of almost $10k for a new engine. I have seen there have been other Hyundais recalled for the he same issue, but not the model I drive. The car only has 120,377 miles and I can no longer drive it. I was left stranded and could have been injured as the engine light never came on to warn of an impending issue.

NHTSA ODI 11445106

While driving, the steering became suddenly loose and nearly took me off the road. I was able to get the vehicle the short distance home, but the steering wheel now feels broken and detached. There was no warning. The passenger airbag light stays on all the time. I have found that both issues and parts are actually covered in other years, but not mine, which I have confirmed with a local dealer. With only 68800 miles, these should both be fully covered manufacturer repair since they are safety-related and there are numerous similar reports. There was no "crash" or "injury" per the questions below, BUT there should have been, and there was not, only because I was able to regain just enough control of the car to avoid a crash. If someone else was driving, it would most certainly have been a crash with injuries, possibly involving other vehicles if I didn't happen to be close to home and the only car around at the time. Based on my experience so far, I don't think I will be owning or buying any Hyundai products any time soon and will likely sell this one if I can get it repaired. It is sitting in my garage useless right now. I have now submitted a contact request to hyundaiusa.com asking for them to cover these repairs, and will update with their response.

NHTSA ODI 11433424

WHILE STOPPED OR WHEN MOVING, SOMETIMES ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO DEPRESSING THE GAS PETAL.

NHTSA ODI 10981519

AFTER ABOUT 800 MILES, MY VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CLATTERING NOISE AT START UP. NOW AT APPROXIMATELY 15K MILES, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE PURCHASING DEALER TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. A HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE DEEMED THIS LOUD OBTRUSIVE NOISE NORMAL. HE STATED IT IS A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THAT IS CAUSING THE NOISE. HE ALSO STATES THE TENSIONER HAS TO BE "PRIMED" DURING INITIAL START UP. I REPLIED, IF THIS IS THE CASE, WHY IT TOOK 800 MILES FOR THE NOISE TO BECOME AUDIBLE? HE REPEATED HIS STATEMENT BY SAYING THIS IS NORMAL. I THEN REPLIED, IN NO SHAPE FORM OR FASHION, THIS IS NORMAL. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD, THE REPRESENTATIVE AND NO CHOICE BUT TO SAY HE HERD IT, BUT NOW SAYS IT IS NORMAL. AFTER COMPLETING SOME IN-DEPTH RESEARCH ON HYUNDAI'S 3.3 LITER LAMDA ENGINES, THE CLATTERING NOISE HAS BEEN REPORTED COUNTLESS TIMES TO HYUNDAI. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND STILL REMAINS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THIS OBVIOUS ENGINE DEFECT. NOW WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE IDLES FINE, THEN THE RPM'S VIOLENTLY DROP TO AROUND 500. AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS, THE RPM'S RETURN TO ITS NORMAL, 750 RPM'S. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. ONCE AGAIN, THEY DEEMED NORMAL. TO THIS DATE, HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO HONOR THE FACTORY'S WARRANTY ON ANY OF MY VEHICLE'S OBVIOUS ENGINEERING DEFEATS.

NHTSA ODI 10817736