2013 Hyundai Azera Engine Problems

Vehicle started having overheating issues around August 2024, took it to mechanics to get it looked at and tried various fixes, concluding in a blown head gasket. When I took my car to a third party mechanic to fix the head gasket they found that the head bolts of the cars engine had been pulled out of the threads and said that it was a manufacturing issue. Head gasket was fixed but the car was having the same issues due to the head bolts being loose. I've taken my vehicle to the nearest Hyundai Dealership and told them about the overheating and head bolts being pulled out of the threading. They ran their diagnosis and then charged $1000 for a thermometer change (which our third party mechanic had also done already) and a coolant flush, which did not fix the issue as the car would still overheating after pick up. After taking my vehicle back to the dealership they said it had a blown head gasket claiming over $14,000 dollars for an engine replacement. They failed to acknowledge the issue of head bolts being pulled of their threads which has become a common issue across their 3.3l v6 GDI Lambda II engines, as is documented by many online. The Hyundai 2017 Santa Fe which also uses the 3.3l v6 GDI Lambda II engine is currently getting an extended warranty for engine replacements for all models from 2013-2017. It's strange that Hyundai is only doing extended warranties/recalls for Santa Fe model cars when they have other vehicles, like my 2013 Hyundai Azera, that use the same 3.3l v6 GDI Lambda II engine that will have similar issues. All vehicles that use the 3.3l v6 GDI Lambda II engine should be getting recalled. Hyundai does not seem to want to take responsibility for their faulty engineering on this engine and lazily claim it to be a "blown head gasket" issue when the head bolts being pulled of the threads causes the vehicle to overheat is what is causing the blown head gasket in the first place. They dismiss it as a blown head gasket and don't look any further.

NHTSA ID

11635910

Incident

Jan 10, 2025

My Engines head bolts have been pulled out of the threads causing the engine to overheat

NHTSA ID

11627036

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

[XXX] Bought a used 2013 Hyundai Azera. Since day 1 it has overheating issue. Within the first 2 wks of ownership, we replaced the radiator cap, thermostat, and had engine checked for leaks at Pep Boys. Replacing the water pump was next. On the night of [XXX] we replaced the water pump. Cranked engine and no leakage, so I decided to take my car home which was 45 minutes away. After driving for 15-20 minutes, the temp gauge was almost topped out, so I slowed down. I was approaching a gas station in a town halfway to home and decided I needed to pull in, but the car suddenly and steadily lost power. I had barely enough power to pull into a space away from door (I just knew it was bad and I didn't want car in the business's way). Car would not crank after being shut off for about 20 minutes. I called my husband and he brought a car hauler trailer to put it on. The vehicle was checked for leaks by PepBoys, but it is going for a reputable mechanic inspection soon as can be scheduled. So I had this car not even 30 days, paid cash for it (which I hope to recover) and mechanic friend of mine tells me it's a blown head gasket. From what I've read, it has the 3.3L Lambda engine causing issues for other model vehicles. Is there a recall? What options for replacement are there? Anyone can inspect the car at any time. It is just taking up a space in the apartment parking lot right now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11593527

Incident

May 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated that right after the vehicle had an oil change, the contact was driving at 55 MPH when she noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, prior to the oil change, the engine made knocking sounds while driving. The police escorted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11554207

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

Mileage

142,000 mi

My car caught on fire while driving.

NHTSA ID

11552388

Incident

Sep 6, 2023

I was driving on a highway when my vehicle started to stall. My acceleration had dropped quickly and I couldn't speed up. I put on my hazard lights and was able to drive off the closest exit. Once I got off the exit, my car stalled completely. I had to get it towed to my daughter's house because I am originally from a different city and was out of town. I had a mechanic take a look and it and they stated that he wouldn't be able to fix it because the engine that I had was under a recall. I researched the information on my engine and determined that the GDI engine that I have is the same engine that is on the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is currently under recall.

NHTSA ID

11534563

Incident

Apr 22, 2023

My engine stalled. It is a GDI Lambda engine, which apparently has oil consumption issues.

NHTSA ID

11526506

Incident

Apr 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Azera. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle delayed while accelerating, and the contact heard a knocking noise coming from the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic test. The dealer stated that the engine was not getting any oil, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11509347

Incident

Jan 3, 2023

Mileage

92,000 mi

Engine started knocking about 3 to 4 months ago, Car keeps having random times when it won't starr. The lights came on dash nothingto the engine. The dealership has "checked" it a few times but can'tfind anything. The knocking is consistentif you drive it for more than a couple of miles. Car is available for inspection. Also my MPG has been increasingly getting worse. The gauge says 19 but I'm averaging about 12. I was advised by a mechanic (all work done on my car is at a dealership) that the Hyundai has issues with this model/year car. The Santa Fe and Sonata on the 2013 models have been recalled. It should be noted the Santa Fe and Azera have the same engine.

NHTSA ID

11493828

Incident

Nov 16, 2022

I own at 2013 Hyundai Azera with a Lambda engine. The same engine that’s having all sorts of issues and being recalled for many reasons on Hyundai & Kia’s. It has only 79k miles on it. While driving down the highway at 75 mph the engine began to lose power and it quickly overheated. It was very terrifying as I had cars and a semi barreling behind me and my engine was seized up. I was able to throw my hazards on and make it to the shoulder safely. We towed it to my mechanic and he said the 4 rear bolts weren’t torqued/sealed properly and they were stripped and pulled right out of the block. He said this is a Manufacturer defect from when the bolt was installed in the factory. Another factor was Hyundai uses an Aluminum head and Alum block with steel bolts. The temp variant in Alum & steel is totally different so what happens is when they expand & contract at different temps like that they eventually pull out. Also, the threads in the block aren’t deep enough to begin with. I filed a claim with Hyundai and they denied my claim. My case manager Jasmine called and said: 1) “What are you expecting us to do about a car that’s old, it may only have 79k miles on it, but it’s OLD and engines break on old cars” 2) We are the 2nd owners so the 100k powertrain warranty dropped to 60k which sadly we are just over. **It was listed as a Certified Pre-Owned when we purchased it but after calling the dealership they claim it’s not a CPO otherwise we would still be covered under the 100k PT warranty. My mechanic called Hyundai to get a replacement engine and was told they discontinued that engine so when they get them in for that reason they just sell them a junkyard motor. So I have a perfectly great car, in otherwise pristine condition, and I’m unable to find a new motor for it.

NHTSA ID

11487312

Incident

May 10, 2022

The engine and electrical failed Car over heated, start up it rattles, retraction light on, back up camera not working

NHTSA ID

11474070

Incident

Mar 29, 2022

Engine failed; started knocking , lights came on dash, and caused car to cease. Car is available for inspection, luckily was able to get on side of road without incident; towed to dealership and they advised that the Hyundai has issues and they have about 10 on the lot now awaiting replacement for there is a recall on this year of the Sonata and the Santa Fe - it should be noted the Santa Fe and Azera have the same engine. Contacted dealer after towed and they told us what the likely issue is without looking at it (although later confirmed) for they have so many with the same issue. There were no warning lights or anything, dashboard suddenly came on and vehicle died. Dealership (Jim Johnson, Bowling Green, KY) service woman, Megan, said this is quite normal and there was a lawsuit about this.

NHTSA ID

11426912

Incident

Jul 27, 2021

My wife was driving down the road when the car started smoking. When she pulled over she grabbed a bag and as she was getting out her flames were coming under her dash. Total loss

NHTSA ID

11426895

Incident

Jul 28, 2021

MY 2013 HYUNDAI AZERA ENGINE FAILED MAY 19, 2019 AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR INSURANCE DENIED MY CLAIM DUE TO FINDINGS OF A MANUFACTURES/MECHANICAL DEFAULT AND HYUNDAI REFUSED TO FIX IT STATING IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET, IF AND WHENI GET IT TOWED THERE. ON OCTOBER 2020, HYUNDAI RECEIVED MY CAR BY TOW AND SAID THAT THEY COULD REBUILD AN ENGINE AND PUT IT IN AT A COST TO ME. THE REBUILT ENGINE WAS PUT IN JAN 2020 AND FAILED AT THE DEALERSHIP AS THE TESTED IN FEBRUARY 2020 I PICKED MY CAR UP AND THE ENGINE FAILED A WEEK LATER AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN. CHP IMPOUNDED MY CAR AND HYUNDAI REFUSED TO GET IT OUT. I PAID THE FEE. MARCH 2020 HYUNDAI REBUILT ANOTHER ENGINE AND PUT IT IN AND I AM HAVING ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF MY SAFETY AND HYUNDAI REFUSED TO ADDRESS RELEASING THE CAR TO ME WITH, AIRBAG LIGHT ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK NOTHING ON THE STEERING COLUMN WORKS, FRONT LIGHT FALLS BACK INTO CAR,AND NOW THE BACK CAMERA BROKEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS/FLUID DOESN'T COME OUT, HOOD OF CAR LIFTED UP ON RIGHTS SIDE ,PANORAMA ROOF CONTINUES TO GET STUCK, I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR ALL THESE THINGS AND TO CHECK MY CARS ENGINE ON YESTERDAY APRIL 2020 AND MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE THEY REFUSED AND I'VE BEEN HAVING CAR ISSUES STARTING THE MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, LIKE THE AIRBAG ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11321249

Incident

Apr 15, 2020

MY ENGINE SEIZED UP A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE DOING ABOUT 38 MPH ON A CITY STREET. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING (I.E. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL TEMP GAUGE) NOTHING. THE CAR MADE A RATTLING NOISE AND STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS I TRIED TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE ENGINE LOOKED AT. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND WROTE IT UP AS AN ENGINE PARTS MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 14K TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND THE HYUNDAI REFUSED TO COVER ANY OF THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MOTOR ONLY HAS ABOUT 115,546 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY. NEVER OWNING A HYUNDAI DEATH TRAP AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11252361

Incident

Aug 9, 2019

Mileage

115,540 mi

THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN SAME ISSUES FROM VERY BEGINNING AFTER PURCHASED YR 2013. SHAKING ENTIRE VHEHCLE EVERY MORNING AND EXHAUST FURNES SO I TOOK SEVICES SEVERIAL TIMES ON DEALER SHOP ON PHARR,TEXAS. NOTHING CHANGED AND NOTHING IMPROVED THEY JUST MENTIONED IT CAME FROM ORIGINAL ENGINE DESIGN AND TYPICAL PROBLEMS BUT NOTHING SERIOUS. OCT.24TH 2017 DROP OFF MY CAR AT THE DEALER SHOP AT PHARR,TEXAS AND THEY DID DIAGNOSIS AND REPLACED SOME PARTS OF THE ENGIN DAY BY DAY. HOWEVER THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS ROOTS CAUSES UNTIL TODAY. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THAT HOW THEY DIDN'T NOTICED ROOTS CAUSES AND THEY JUST KEEP MY CAR ON THEIR PARKING LOT AND THEY WOULD NOT TOLD ME RESOLVED DATE!

NHTSA ID

11046019

Incident

Oct 24, 2017

Mileage

48,345 mi

EXHAUST COMING INTO THE CABIN WHEN ACCELERATING WITH THE WINDOWS CRACKED OR DOWN (ALWAYS). *TR

NHTSA ID

10633378

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

EXHAUST FUMES AND SOOT ACCUMULATE ON REAR BUMPER MARRING PAINT AND MAY CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS I.E. MONOXIDE. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET IT FIXED AT THREE DEALERS BUT THEY CLAIM IT'S NOTHING AND SIMPLY WASH SOOT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10595333

Incident

Feb 14, 2013

Mileage

3,000 mi

THERE IS HEAVY BLACK CARBON BUILDUP ON THE TAILPIPES AND REAR OF MY AZERA. THE HYUNDAI DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL DUE TO THE TYPE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEY USE. MY LEXUS MECHANIC (OUR OTHER CAR) SAID IT PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TO AIR RATIO THE CAR IS USING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10567715

Incident

Aug 3, 2013

Mileage

3,000 mi

I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HYUNDAI AZERA. MY WIFE AND I WAS GIVEN A CLASS ON OUR NEW VEHICLE. THE DAY OF OUR PURCHASE MY WIFE AND I NOTICED THE BACK BUMPER WAS EVERY DIRTY, WE THOUGHT. THE BACK BUMPER WAS COVERED WITH BLACK CARBON THAT CAME FROM THE EXHAUST THAT ALSO HAD CARBON AS WELL INSIDE AND AROUND THE OUTSIDE TIPS. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASE THE CAR. THEY ASK WHAT GRADE GAS DID WE PUT IN THE CAR? I EXPLAIN THAT WE WOULD NOT PUT FUEL IN THE CAR AND THAT THEY FILLED THE CAR WITH FUEL. AND EXPLAINED THAT WE HAD JUST LEFT THE DEALERSHIP A FEW HOURS AGO. SERVICE ASKED US TO PUT 87 OCTANE IN THE NEXT TIME WE FILL UP. I CALLED HYUNDAI COMPANY AND THEY SAID TO USE 87 OCTANE FUEL AS WELL. I UNDERSTAND PUMP GAS HAS ADDITIVES THAT ARE ADDED TO GAS. I'VE ONLY SEEN THIS WITH GAS VEHICLES THAT ARE RUNNING BAD OR WITH PROBLEMS AND DIESEL ENGINES POWERED VEHICLES. DO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAVE ANYTHING ON A HYUNDAI'S 2013 AZERA? *TR

NHTSA ID

10551794

Incident

Jun 8, 2013