How can a Hyundai owner prove maintenance was performed on schedule?

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Q. I own a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with a 2.4L GDI engine; this is one of the models whose Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) has been known to display the error code P1326, which may require the engine to be replaced. The dealership told me that in order for them to replace the engine, they need me to provide records of 22 oil changes. I bought this vehicle used when it was one and a half years old, and I’ve subsequently performed the oil changes myself every 6,000 km. The only documentation I can provide is the dates of the oil changes and the mileage on those dates. The vehicle currently has 134,000 km. Do I have any recourse? –NJ A. Several Hyundai and Kia owners have reported similar stories to the Automobile Protection Association (APA). The requirement that you provide documentation of all oil changes is indeed unreasonable. Hyundai has, at times, applied an internal guideline requiring proof of two recent oil changes, and a recent Hyundai class-action settlement for some 2L turbo and 2.4L engines requires proof of only one oil change in the last year to qualify for a new replacement engine — both of which are much more reasonable conditions. In Quebec, a warranty company or automaker cannot demand the previous owner’s service records as a precondition for approving a claim, as almost no used-car buyer would have this evidence. A cursory reading of the owner’s manual could lead you to think the standard 12,000 km interval applies, but that’s not the case in Canada, due to extreme seasonal weather conditions and the prevalence of short drives. Hyundai and Kia prefer Canadian owners follow what’s known as the “severe usage” oil-change interval, which is every six months or 6,000 km. The exceptions would be certain parts of the West Coast, like Vancouver Island, and perhaps vehicles that spend winters in mild climates outside of Canada. If your claim is contested for an oil-related reason, the first step may be to have a sample of the used oil in the engine analyzed to determine if it did indeed cause the bearing failures that Hyundai and Kia engines are experiencing. You’ll want to rule out lubrication breakdown resulting from wear, contamination or a low oil level. There would almost certainly be a lot of debris in the engine from the bearings, and possibly plugged oil passages, too—ideally, you’ll want to rule out that those conditions are the consequence of missing several oil changes or running very low on oil. Here are some suggested steps:

Try to locate records of oil and filter purchases in your credit card statements, bank transaction records and/or cash receipts. Perhaps the store where you buy your oil and filters can help. The two most recent oil changes are the important ones.
Oil sensitivity appears to be a weakness in the 2.4L engine; if it ran low between changes, a low oil level may have contributed to engine failure. The dealer is certain to check the oil level as soon as you bring in a vehicle that has triggered a KSDS code, so get into the habit of checking the level regularly.
Neglecting oil changes likely will have contributed to sludge deposits in the engine, and these will show up in photos. If you haven’t done so already, have some photos taken of the engine to document its internal condition.
Consider sending a sample of the oil that’s currently in your engine to WearCheck for analysis. Explain your situation so they can select the right tests for you. You don’t need the test to determine that the engine is shot, as you already know that. Rather, you need to rule out oil degradation due to excessive service intervals.
Contact Transport Canada. You’ll need to rule out lack of maintenance by providing Transport Canada with the secondary evidence suggested above by the APA.
The APA may be able to help you further your claim with Hyundai. You’ll have to go through the above steps anyway—and patience will be key.

Owners of many Hyundai and Kia models are eligible for a no-charge replacement engine in the event of a failure at the connecting rod or crank shaft bearings, thanks to a generous and very broad extension of the new vehicle warranty to 10 years/200,000 km. Coverage is conditional upon having installed an early warning system required in one or more of the 22-plus (!) recalls affecting the models below. Using your vehicle’s unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can visit the recall sites for Hyundai and Kia to see if your vehicle is eligible for the Knock Sensor Detection System recall. The following list of recalled vehicles has been changing frequently as the recall expands; it is current to early February 2021. In some cases, recalls omit some engines in a given model year. If the engine in your vehicle experiences a sudden failure similar to the one in the recall, but it’s not covered under any program, report the incident to Transport Canada at 1-800-333-0510. If there are enough complaints, they may be able to convince Hyundai or Kia to expand the scope of their recalls. Hyundai Elantra 2L 2014-2016 Santa Fe 4 cyl. 2012, 2019 Santa Fe Sport 2013-2018 Sonata 2011-2019 Tucson 2L 2014-2017; 2.4L 2010-2015, 2019 Veloster 1.6L turbo 2013; 1.6L & 2L 2015-2016, 2019 Kia Forte 2012-2015 Forte Koup 2012-2015 Optima 2011-2019 Sorento 4-cylinder 2012, 2015-2019 Soul 2L 2014-2016 Sportage 2011-2020 MORE FROM ASK INY:

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Sachin Patel says:

May 23, 2021 at 12:36 pm

“Hyundai has, at times, applied an internal guideline requiring proof of two recent oil changes, and a recent Hyundai class-action settlement for some 2L turbo and 2.4L engines requires proof of only one oil change in the last year to qualify for a new replacement engine — both of which are much more reasonable conditions”

I have a sonata 2013 with busted engine 2.4L GDI. I have this car since last 18 months and oil change done 4 times. Dealer asking for Oil change history and I only have last 2 oil change history.

I don’t know what to do?

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Dianna Reed says:

March 12, 2022 at 10:18 pm

My 2015 Hyundai Sonata is currently at the dealer waiting to have the engine replaced (already approved by Hyundai). I did not have my maintenance performed at the dealer but had my receipts. When I realized I had a few receipts that weren’t in the glove box, I was going to fax them to the dealer. My service advisor said he didn’t think that would be necessary since they can tell if the oil had been replaced regularly and said he would call if they were needed (they weren’t). Hyundai asked for pictures once the oil pan gasket was removed of the engine and fuel line. The approval was received a day after the dealer provided those to Hyundai. I had 2 oil consumption studies and an engine soak during the process. I think you will be ok.

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Mylene Doma says:

June 9, 2022 at 11:39 pm

What if you just bought the vehicle – used… and within first 2 months the motor needs replacing and qualifies for the recall? How can dealer insist on proof of oil changes from a brand new buyer/owner? The vehicle was owned by someone else!

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1. MoneySense Editors says:
  
  June 17, 2022 at 10:16 am
  
  Thank you for the question. We invite you to email it to [email protected], where it will be considered for future articles.
  
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Luke hermitte says:

July 6, 2022 at 8:38 pm

I had my 2013 sonata engine replaced at 147000, I didn’t show a thing…. I told them why would I keep the oil change receipts after the warranty was up, to show my friends? Lol they wanted to do tye short block and I insisted they do the long block or they can have the car! They did tye long block. I am told the new engine comes with a 100k /5yr warranty too

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Kaycee kollias says:

July 10, 2022 at 8:47 pm

My 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Luxury AWD 2.4L GDI Engine blew May 5th 2022 with only 47,170 kms.
After a bit of bs from Kelowna BC Hyundai bcuz I couldn’t produce all of my faithful regular Oil Change receipts, it was finally accepted for the Free Replacement on May 21st 2022 bcuz they could see how clean my oil etc was and I just got it back last week on July 6th 2022.
I don’t know Why my Replacement took sooo lonnng when I know someone whose Engine blew Dec 22 2021 and they got their vehicle back within 7 days on Dec 28th 2021 and they all the Christmas Holidays???
How does that make any sense when theirs took 7 days and mine took 7 weeks??
Anyway, When I looked for an Engine Number, I couldn’t see one anywhere, so now I’m going to take the Plastic Engine Cover off to see if the Engine Number is under there somewhere..
The reason I want the Engine Number is bcuz on the paperwork that Hyundai Kelowna BC gave me, it ONLY states that the Engine was Replaced with a 2014 Hyundai 2.4L GDI Engine…
I’m confused as to WHY they would Replace my 2016 vehicle with a 2014 Engine bcuz aren’t all these years of the 2.4L GDI Engines Faulty from 2013 – 2019???
I don’t know IF it’s bcuz I’m a Female or what, but when I did ask Why a 2014, they only danced around the question and couldn’t give me an answer!
I don’t know WHY there’s not much info on the Paperwork or Why Kelowna BC Hyundai wouldn’t put the Engine Number or Engine Part Number on the Paperwork in the first place?!

Well, I just took my plastic engine cover off to see a whole lotta dirt and debris and even water stains which leads me to think that perhaps my Engine was NOT Replaced with a Brand New Engine and moreso, it looks like Hyundai Kelowna BC may have just Replaced certain internal “Parts” instead that I can’t see???
I wish I could attach photos here to show you guys what I’m talking about bcuz maybe I’m seeing something that’s totally “Normal” for an Engine Replacement, rather than seeing a spit shining Brand New Engine which is what I was expecting!?
Unless of course they just Replace the Faulty Parts of these Disgusting 2.4L GDI Engines and put everything Old and Dirty back together again??
Blows me away that they couldn’t even Clean things bcuz in the Old Days, you’d Never see the poor Work Ethics that you see now. In the Old Days everything would’ve been Cleaned Up before putting anything back together!
Anyway, thanks for letting me Vent and say my piece…
Oh and the only numbers I could find were: 026 28310-2G700 number on a Yellow Sticker, or a Stamped Number with a little QR Code SB278——
when I thought that the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4 GDI Engine Number started with a G4KJ——–???
Thanks again!
K

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Kulwinder says:

June 27, 2023 at 10:13 am

Hi , i have 2018 hyundai sonata . My car starts to burn lot of engine oil after 100k and then i was keep adding the oil and then i brought the cat to dealership they did 5 oil consumption test on my car and said have to replace the engine . My car is at the dealership for more then 2 weeks and they sent photos to hyundai I didn’t have the oil change records hyundai asks for car-fax report I provided them the report now they decline the claim said that you are not the first owner of your car and in file you said you are first owner but i am first owner of my car I bought it brand new . So , let’s see what they gonna say now . Waiting for their reply .

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Connie Tremblay says:

July 1, 2023 at 6:26 am

BEWARE Hyundai Canada is only paying for 8 days for a car rental. It took over 40 day to get a new engine installed in my 2016 Sante Fe Sport! All documentation states that the engine would be replaced with no expense to the customer including a rental or loaner. We were told to rent a car because there was not any loaners left. We were not told about the limited rental time and incurred a $2200 expense.

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Rakesh says:

September 24, 2023 at 11:04 am

I’ve hyundai tucson 2014, engine started knocking
Pulled the car aside and towed to dealership for inspection.. dealer said it needs engine replacement. I’m 2nd owner.. also i didn’t receive recall notice for knocking sensor software update program..the service advisor is kind of insisting to sign the hyundai goodwill form saying mostly the approved cases are those who had performed this recall update..
I have some oil change maintenance receipts not performed at dealer .. the car is still parked at dealer.. has anyone faces this issue of not having the update recall

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Brittany Nelson says:

July 9, 2024 at 12:07 am

What if you just bought the vehicle – used… and within first 2 weeks the motor blew up and still is under power train warranty but they are asking for proof of maintenance which I wouldn’t have because I’ve owned the car for almost 2 months and it blew within the first 2 weeks. I have proof of oil change from April when the dealer changed it before I bought it but that’s it.

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