Many users may be surprised when we find Kia and Hyundai in the rankings of the least reliable vehicles, but the reality is that the quality of these brands has left much to be desired in recent years, and they have faced numerous recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many users have seen their newly purchased cars make strange noises, overheat, or suffer any other catastrophic misfortune that, unfortunately, is very common for one of these two brands. Engine power loss, bearing failure, lubrication problems, fire… What’s happening with Kia and Hyundai? We’ll tell you below.
Who has an answer?
Many mechanics have joined forces on social media to denounce the apparent lack of commitment from both Kia and Hyundai. Now, a TikTok mechanic known as @motorcarnut has linked failures in both brands directly to crankshaft manufacturing issues. It appears that during the manufacturing process, some lubrication channels become completely clogged with metal debris. What causes this? It’s important to ensure that the oil can flow properly throughout the engine.
What happens if there’s no lubrication in the engine?
Of course, keep in mind that, like everything else, it runs better when it’s lubricated. In the case of car engines, it’s essential that the bearings are lubricated because, when they work “forcefully,” they begin to drag the engine and eventually break it.
Rod knock: what is it?
Just as we know what the trumpets of the Apocalypse are, rod knock is something similar, but inside vehicles. Many users have reported hearing a very loud knocking sound when the engine is running. This is, no more and no less, a clear sign that the engine is about to pass away. Why? Due to wear, of course. And the worst part is that this damage becomes irreversible if not addressed in time.
Kia and Hyundai… nominated
These problems aren’t new. In fact, a $3.1 billion class-action lawsuit was filed against Kia and Hyundai in 2023, including more than 2 million vehicles on the list of potentially defective cars, and they’ve only gotten worse since then.
The affected models include vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2020, although the exact list continues to grow. Some owners claim to have received engine replacements under warranty, but others haven’t been as lucky and have had to pay for expensive repairs out of pocket.
What are users saying online?
Comments on social media and mechanics forums are full of horror stories about these engines, and they haven’t left anyone indifferent. Some testimonials stand out:
“I used to take my Hyundai to the shop for an oil change every 3,000 miles, and the engine still seized up at 56,000 miles. Never again!”
Another claimed to work in an auto factory and that these problems are the result of not properly cleaning machining residue.
Another said she knew a friend who had up to four engines replaced under warranty before she gave up and bought a Toyota!
Are these isolated cases? Indeed not. Kia and Hyundai have systemic problems that continue to affect thousands of users around the world.
I have a Kia… how do I know if it’s in danger?
If your Kia or Hyundai is between 2010 and 2020… It’s shaking. But pay attention to the symptoms: engine noises (the aforementioned rod knock), unnecessary oil consumption, loss of power while driving, or if you notice it overheating significantly or emitting smoke from the exhaust pipe… If any of these happen to you, it’s best to take your car to a mechanic immediately. If it has any of these problems, you can claim a repair under the warranty or join any of the active class-action lawsuits.
Are Kia and Hyundai worth it?
Both brands are very popular, have beautiful designs, and are quite competitive in terms of price, but… if you’re thinking about buying one of these cars, it might be best to do your research and make sure the one you buy doesn’t have a bad track record, or the repairs will end up costing you much more than the car itself.