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Hyundai engine recalls: sudden power loss and engine fire risk
Two outcomes repeat across these four Hyundai engine recalls: the engine loses drive power while you are driving, and leaking oil or broken internal parts create a fire risk. Santa Fe shows up twice — 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz for a turbocharger oil supply pipe that can crack, and 2025-2026 Santa Fe and Tucson for connecting rod bolts that were not tightened properly. The 2024 Palisade recall is the starkest: valve springs can break while driving and put a hole in the engine block. The fourth, on 2024 Elantra, Kona and Venue, is an EGR valve short circuit that cuts drive power. Two of the four end in a full engine or engine sub-assembly replacement.
Warning signs to watch for
- Loss of drive power or reduced power while driving
- Burning smell or smoke from the engine compartment
- Signs of an oil leak in the engine bay (2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz turbo oil pipe)
- On 2024 Palisade, the valve spring can break while driving with no advance warning
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these four recalls tells owners to stop driving, and none asks you to park the vehicle outside. Hyundai's guidance is to keep driving while you schedule the free repair promptly. One condition is worth honoring: with the 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz turbocharger oil pipe, stop driving if you smell burning or see smoke, since that means oil is reaching hot engine parts. Treat the Palisade valve spring and the Tucson and Santa Fe connecting rod recalls as urgent too — both can cut drive power in traffic without warning.
What the free repair involves
Two of these end in a new engine: dealers replace the engine sub-assembly on 2024 Palisade and the complete engine on 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe. The other two are component replacements — the turbocharger oil supply pipe on 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz, and the EGR valve assembly on 2024 Elantra, Kona and Venue. No software updates here; all work is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 3 |
| high | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-26 | Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe engine bolts improperly tightened | critical |
| 2024-05-01 | Hyundai Elantra, Kona and Venue can lose engine power | high |
| 2024-02-13 | Hyundai Palisade engine part can break and cause fire | critical |
| 2022-03-28 | Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Cruz oil leak fire risk | critical |
Common questions
Will Hyundai really replace the whole engine?
Yes, in two of these recalls. Dealers replace the engine sub-assembly on 2024 Palisade vehicles and the complete engine on 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe models with improperly tightened connecting rod bolts. Both are done free of charge.
What should I do if I smell burning while driving?
Stop driving and have the vehicle checked. The 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz notice covers a turbocharger oil pipe that can crack and leak oil into the engine compartment, and burning smells or smoke suggest oil is reaching hot surfaces.
Does a loss of drive power mean my engine is already damaged?
Not necessarily. On 2024 Elantra, Kona and Venue, an electrical short in the EGR valve assembly causes the power loss, and dealers simply replace that valve assembly. The valve spring and connecting rod recalls do involve internal engine damage.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.