Hyundai models we see most
| Model | US model years | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Sonata | 1989-present | 2011-2012 (15V568000) and 2013-2014 (17V226000) Sonatas were recalled because engine bearing problems can cause stalling or seizure. |
| Elantra | 1992-present | 2001-2003 Elantras in salt states, Illinois included, were recalled (09V125000) for front lower control arms that rust from the inside. |
| Santa Fe | 2001-present | 2001-2006 Santa Fes in salt states were recalled for rear trailing arm (09V123000) and front coil spring (14V435000) corrosion. |
| Santa Fe Sport | 2013-2018 | 2013-2014 models share engine recall 17V226000 with the Sonata; 2013-2018 models were in the Theta II settlement. |
| Tucson | 2005-present | 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 Tucsons with 2.0 or 2.4 GDI engines were part of the Theta II class settlement. |
| Azera | 2006-2017 | 2006-2011 Azeras share recall 13V354000 with the Sonata: salt can corrode the rear crossmember until a control arm detaches. |
| XG300 and XG350 | 2001-2005 | 2001-2004 XG sedans were recalled with the Sonata (09V124000) for front sub-frame corrosion in salt states. |
Known Hyundai problems that end up at the scrapyard
Theta II engine failures (2011-2019 Sonata, Santa Fe Sport, some Tucsons)
Hyundai recalled 2011-2014 Sonatas and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sports for machining debris and errors that wear connecting rod bearings until the engine stalls or seizes. A 2019 settlement covered about 2.3 million Hyundais with 2.0 and 2.4 GDI engines and gave original and later owners lifetime short-block coverage. Check eligibility with a dealer before junking a knocking engine. source
No immobilizer: the 2011-2022 theft problem
In 2023 the City of Chicago sued Hyundai and Kia, alleging US models sold from 2011 to 2022 lacked industry-standard engine immobilizers. The city said Hyundai and Kia thefts jumped from about 500 in the first half of 2022 to over 8,350 in the second half. A recovered car with a wrecked ignition and broken glass may not be worth repairing. source
Rear crossmember rot on 2006-2010 Sonata and 2006-2011 Azera
Recall 13V354000 covers about 365,000 cars sold or registered in salt states including Illinois. Road salt and water get inside the rear crossmember and corrode it until a rear control arm can detach, suddenly changing the alignment. If the crossmember is too far gone for the recall repair, the car is usually done. source
Two Chicago stories: engines and thefts
Hyundais from the 2010s tend to land at a junk buyer for one of two reasons.
The first is the engine. The 2.0 and 2.4-liter Theta II GDI engines in the Sonata, Santa Fe Sport and some Tucsons were the subject of recalls and a large 2019 class settlement over bearing wear that leads to knocking, stalling and seizure. The settlement’s lifetime short-block coverage is the reason to call a dealer before you sell a car with a knocking engine. If the dealer says no, or the car has other problems, the engine failure usually makes it a junk car.
The second is theft. Chicago’s own lawsuit put numbers on it: thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles in the city went from about 500 in the first half of 2022 to more than 8,350 in the second half, and they were still more than half of all vehicles stolen in Chicago in 2023. Recovered cars often have broken glass, a wrecked ignition and interior damage, and an older Elantra or Accent isn’t worth fixing after that.
The older Hyundais and the salt
Before Theta II, the problem was corrosion. Hyundai’s salt-state recalls name Illinois for 2001-2003 Elantra control arms, 2001-2004 Sonata and XG sub-frames, 2001-2006 Santa Fe trailing arms and coil springs, and 2006-2010 Sonata and Azera rear crossmembers. Our road salt rust guide shows what that damage looks like.
Before we pick it up
- If the car has Blue Link, cancel it and remove the vehicle in the MyHyundai app.
- Leave every key you have. If the ignition was destroyed in a theft, say so.
- Hyundai dealers have been installing an anti-theft software update on affected models. That matters only if you’re keeping the car.
- Pull your I-PASS and parking permits, and tell us what papers you have. Illinois rules decide which work for a scrap sale, and we confirm on the call.
Other makes are on our cars we buy page.
Selling a junk Hyundai: questions
My Hyundai was stolen and recovered with a broken column. Will you buy it?
Yes. A damaged ignition or steering column, broken windows and missing parts don't stop the sale. Tell us what's damaged and whether the car can be steered and rolled. If you filed a police report or an insurance claim, mention it so the paperwork lines up.
Should I check the Theta II settlement before junking my Sonata?
Yes. The settlement gave lifetime short-block coverage on eligible engines to original and later owners, so a dealer may repair a failed engine at no cost. If the car isn't covered, or the rest of it is worn out, we'll buy it with the dead engine.