Which HK engines/years are affected by bad engines?

My niece just had her 2010 Sonata fail at 160,000 miles (it died on the interstate she said it made a lot of noise?). Maintenance was hit or miss.
I'd say it's decent life but the rest of the car was in nice shape but hard to justify an engine swap/repair at that point.

I believe 2010 was the last year for Theta I, those were solid engines. The Theta II came out for 2011 and that's when all the problems started.
 
I believe 2010 was the last year for Theta I, those were solid engines. The Theta II came out for 2011 and that's when all the problems started.

The Theta II MPI was in the 2009 and 2010 Sonata. There have been no problems with the 2009 Sonata a family member owned, and another still owns.

Of course the Theta II went to GDI in the 2011-up models. I've only heard of issues in the 2011-up GDI engines.
 
I have a 2013 Tucson with Theta II MPI that developed a rod knock around 100k. New motor. I also have a 2011 with the same original motor and 236k. Go figure.
 
Did it get the software update for the knock sensors on time? If so it’s got a lifetime engine warranty. If not, you’re out of luck.
 
Did it get the software update for the knock sensors on time? If so it’s got a lifetime engine warranty. If not, you’re out of luck.
Both have had the knock sensor update. The 13 was replaced under warranty. The 11 has aged out due to mileage. These two only received 15year/150k warranty.
 
Did some searching but I’m still not sure. My mom has a 2016 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 non turbo. Owned since new, and always got Valvoline syn blend 5w20. Still under the 10/100k warranty, has 80 something thousand miles. Has always consumed about a quart over an OCI. Was taking with my dad about it, and I couldn’t definitively find if this car was ever affected by the bad engines, and/or the TSB recommending thicker oil. From what I can see, it’s not, but it looks like later years of this engine in other vehicles is.
Ingeneral, all Hyundai 4 cylinder engine families from 2011 to 2020 or so are prone to failure either due to rod bearing failure or due excessive oil consumption (and sometimes both). The 1.6 L Gamma appears to have the lowest failure rate and the 2.4 L Theta II has the highest failure rate.
 
It may have actually had this update. I’ll have to get the VIN, or ask my dad. It’s been at the dealer within the last 2 years to have the valve cover gasket replaced under warranty. I’m sure they did the KSDS thing too then. I told my dad to run Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30 the next couple OCIs. Seems like a possible good candidate for it. Plus it’s thicker, so that should help with the consumption too.
Although it has not been proven (yet) to keep these engines from failing, VRP is the best choice out there right now to reduce piston ring deposits.
 
Most common issue on the 2.5s are fuel injectors going bad and the coolant control valve sticking open. Like any Di engine fuel dilution is still an issue.
Most of Hyundai's new 4 cyl engines (except the 2.0 Nu which has MPI only) have dual injection (GDI and MPI). This appears to have solved the high oil consumption due to stuck piston rings/scored cylinder walls.
 
I'm hoping my 2022 2.0 NA with PFI will be fine. Kia oil filters, 5000 miles OCIs, Barrymans/Techron every 5K miles, and a mixture of Mobil 1 FS 0W40 and Valvoline R&P 5W30. Those piston rings should be as clean as when new. Have 40k miles on it and it does not use an oz of oil...so far.
 
I'm hoping my 2022 2.0 NA with PFI will be fine. Kia oil filters, 5000 miles OCIs, Barrymans/Techron every 5K miles, and a mixture of Mobil 1 FS 0W40 and Valvoline R&P 5W30. Those piston rings should be as clean as when new. Have 40k miles on it and it does not use an oz of oil...so far.
I talked to a local Hyundai Service Manager about these engines after seeing about 30 engine tubs in the receiving area in their service department one day. He told me frequent oil changes and limiting cold starts/in town driving help them live a lot longer. And I agree with you that any reasonable strategy to reduce carbon buildup around the piston rings is definitely beneficial. And you have the added benefit of having MPI only on your engine!
 
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