My Hyundai Sonata Has Been at the Dealer For 7 Months Waiting For a New Engine, They Say They’re Waiting On Parts, I Think They Are Just Stalling

How long does a customer have to wait to get their Hyundai Sonata fixed? 

Maddie Fitzgerald's 2014 Hyundai Sonata has been at the Hyundai dealer for 7 months, and she's still waiting for an engine replacement under a recall. However, the dealer has done nothing with her car. 

A report from CBS News in Pittsburgh says, "Maddie Fitzgerald says she thinks her 2014 Hyundai Sonata's highway breakdown is actually because of a safety recall issued on her vehicle. But she and the people who could fix it didn't seem to agree." 

First, imagine driving on a highway and your engine stalls, leaving you stranded on the side of the road. That's bad enough, but after you have it towed to the dealer, they say they have no idea how long it will take to get fixed because they don't have the necessary parts.

After waiting for weeks, you conduct some research and find out that your 2014 Sonata is eligible for an engine replacement under a Hyundai recall, and they are supposed to fix it for free. That's excellent news, and you think your failed engine issue is resolved. 

Not So Fast

However, Maddie's patience is wearing thin as she feels the dealer is dragging their feet, leaving her car unresolved after seven long months. 

That's the frustrating situation Maddie Fitzgerald finds herself in. 

Maddie told CBS News, "I remember it because it was the day after my birthday. On January 29, 2025, this happened.” 

"I was driving down the highway, down Route 30, and my car, just out of nowhere, started knocking and just completely stalled out on the side of the highway," she said. 

After having it towed to a body shop, they advised her to take it to the dealer because they had determined that it was recalled for the same issue. So, she called another tow truck, and now it sits at the Hyundai dealer. 

Maddie checked the Hyundai website for engine recalls on her 2014 Sonata. She discovered that her car was among the eligible vehicles to receive a new engine under Hyundai's warranty. 

Hyundai states, "Your Hyundai dealer will inspect, and if necessary, replace the engine. This inspection will be performed at no charge to you."

She took the information to the Hyundai dealer, and they informed her that it wouldn't be covered. 

Now, Maddie is confused. 

"They just basically said that it didn't fall under the recall, even though we had the documents from their site, stating that my car year, make, model, and everything was included in the recall, and all of the symptoms that my car had fell into the symptoms of the recall," she said. 

So, after seven months of going round and round with the Hyundai dealer and having them request her maintenance records, Maddie contacted CBS News to try to get some media exposure for her problem. 

She told CBS, "They keep asking for my maintenance records, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says consumers don't need to provide that."

With the media spotlight on them, the Hyundai dealer has now changed its tune, saying it is just waiting for parts so it can fix Maddie's Sonata. 

CBS News reports that a spokesperson from Hyundai Corporate most recently stated, "My understanding is that the dealership is waiting for a part to complete the recall." According to the information I received, the part will arrive first of next week."

It's a Little Late Now

Maddie says she needs her car for work. 

"It's in our job description that we need a vehicle because I am driving to clients' houses. I'm driving to community appointments with clients to provide them with support. It's just, it's tough to do that when you don't have a reliable vehicle," she said. 

Hyundai does have a recall for Maddie's 2014 Hyundai Sonata.

2013 and 2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles with 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines were subject to a safety recall due to a manufacturing issue that could cause premature bearing wear and potential engine failure. 

The website and the NHTSA say, "Hyundai dealerships will inspect and replace the engine if necessary as part of the recall."

The process typically involves a thorough examination of the engine to determine if it meets the criteria for replacement, followed by the ordering and installation of the new engine.

Here's why Maddie believes the Hyundai dealer is stalling.

Hyundai extended the warranty for the "short block" assembly (engine block, crankshaft, bearings, connecting rods, and pistons) for certain 2011-2014 Sonatas to 10 years from the original purchase date. 

Since the recall is based on the original purchase date and not a specific calendar year, a 2014 Sonata could still be eligible for coverage in 2025, as long as it falls within the 10-year window from the original purchase date.  

The Hyundai website says, "Hyundai Motor America has decided to extend the warranty for the engine's "short block" assembly (consisting of the engine block, crankshaft and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons) on 2011-2014 Sonatas manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama to 10 years from the date of original delivery or the date of first use, or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first."

Maddie's Sonata may have passed the recall date.

If Maddie's 2014 Hyundai Sonata "ages out," it will no longer be covered. Is the dealer stalling so that this happens? We don't know, but the dealer holding her car for seven months seems suspicious. 

It's important to note: There could be several reasons for the Hyundai dealer's delay, including a backlog of recall repairs, a shortage of replacement parts, or administrative issues. However, the dealer's lack of communication and transparency has only added to Maddie's frustration.

What Should Hyundai Sonata Owners Do If They Experience Engine Failure?

To check if your vehicle is covered under the recall, enter your VIN on the Hyundai website here to verify if your specific vehicle is affected and eligible for the recall repairs. 

Do You Own a Hyundai Sonata?

Have you experienced engine failure, and did you get a new engine under the Hyundai recall? Click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us about your experience.

Check out my Hyundai Santa Fe story: GEICO Claims My Husband Hit a Car in My Hyundai Santa Fe in NY, But We Sold It 6 Months Ago for Parts, and We Live in Ohio - Is It Insurance Fraud?

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl