The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is looking closely into a petition. Such is asking an urgent inquiry into a suspected issue affecting Hyundai vehicles in the US, specifically those featuring Hyundai's 3.3-liter V6 engines.

Hyundai's 3.3-liter V6 Engine Under Investigation: Reliability Concern

Dated February 2, 2024, the petition is currently under review by the ODI to ascertain its merit for further action. If approved, it may result in the recall of approximately 60,049 vehicles outfitted with the mentioned 3.3-liter V6 engines. Presently, the petition remains pending, with no conclusive decision reached.

As per CarScoops, Jasmine Jewell, the owner of a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, lodged the petition with the NHTSA. In her communication, Jewell narrates the experience of her SUV's engine malfunction at 61,413 miles.

Despite contacting four Hyundai dealerships in Rhode Island, she found that they were all overwhelmed with vehicles requiring engine replacements. As a result, she had to have her vehicle towed to a dealership in Massachusetts, where she was informed that a new engine was essential. The estimated cost for the replacement was quoted at ,997, excluding labor expenses.

The petitioner contends in the submission that Hyundai's 3.3-liter V6 engines are prone to engine knocking, potentially resulting in a complete engine seizure without any prior warning indicators. Furthermore, she observes that this issue arises suddenly and without advance notice.

The report also shared she further stated that at least 11 class action lawsuits have been initiated against Hyundai and Kia. Such were alleging that defective GDI engines carry the risk of stalling or igniting fires. Additionally, the Kia Sorento is under scrutiny for an engine-related issue.

Meanwhile in Canada, a class action lawsuit has been filed concerning various Hyundai GDI engines, This includes the 3.3-liter Lambda-II. Moreover, a separate class action lawsuit in Australia claims that Hyundai has been aware of engine problems since at least 2015.

In her formal request, Jewell urges the immediate initiation of a rulemaking procedure to evaluate and potentially modify existing motor vehicle safety standards governing the Hyundai 3.3L V6 Lambda II engine. She also highlighted the importance of this action in ensuring that these vehicles comply with safety standards effectively. Thus, addressing and rectifying the identified defects to prevent further harm to consumers.

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Report: Problems with Hyundai's 3.3-liter V6 Engine

According to Cars & Wrenches, the 3.3L engine belongs to Hyundai's renowned Lambda lineup. This engine series made its debut in 2005.

However, the 3.3L engine, designed as a V6, was specifically crafted for the larger Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models. These engines are manufactured in Asan, South Korea, and Montgomery, Alabama.

Cars & Wrenches cited several problems about this engine. The primary issue listed among Hyundai 3.3 engine problems is coil pack failure. So, what exactly is the ignition coil, and why does it malfunction?

The ignition coil is positioned atop the spark plug. In this engine, individual coils, referred to as a coil pack, are utilized. Given the V6 configuration, there are a total of six coils, with one allocated per cylinder, situated directly above the respective spark plug.

These coils function as electrical transformers, converting the 12-volt supply from the battery into a higher current. Subsequently, they deliver this power to the spark plug, thereby generating a spark. When an ignition coil malfunctions, it results in a lack of spark or inconsistent sparking.

Consequently, this triggers the illumination of the check engine light and leads to engine misfires. In severe cases, the engine may fail to start altogether, enter limp mode, or stall. Even if it remains operational, performance will suffer due to misfiring.

Troubleshooting the issue involves swapping the coils to determine if the misfire code shifts to the next cylinder. If it does, the problematic coil has been identified. Replacing only the faulty coil can result in significant cost savings, eliminating the need to replace all coils if they are functioning properly.

Other problems mentioned are Carbon build up, oil consumption, road bearing failure, and oil leaks.

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