Hi All,
The 2016 Sonata in my signature (bought CPO w/35k) is coming up on 70k miles, about the milage Theta IIs seem to start to fail. Despite Hyundai's claims that the issue was limited to 2011-2014, there are tons of reports of 2015s failing, and Hyundai has extended warranty coverage up to and including the 2019 models (the 2020s will come with the new Theta III). I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a 2016+ Theta II failing. I have had ZERO issues with the car up to this point, not even a set of brakes, which makes it tough to want to give up the car so soon. But, my job is keeping me very busy and I really don't want the hassle/lost time of an unexpected breakdown on the highway, dealing with a tow, and fighting with Hyundai for rental reimbursement. I realize I am under warranty for the engine, but the hassle alone is not worth it.
On two recent cold (~20 degree) mornings, I heard what I think is noticable knocking on start that goes away after a few minutes. I'm told this can be an early warning sign of the premature bearing failure. I can post a video when I get back to my home computer.
I'm lucky to have made some investments a few years ago that have put me in a great spot financially, so I can trade it in for another car with barely a dent to net worth. But still being cheap and preferring practical, reliable, lower cost transportation, I am thinking of just trading the car in for a 2016 or 2017 Camry (pre new DI engine/8spd) that I can keep until the wheels fall off. Likely an LE, but maybe an XLE, only thing I will do is that I will probably put in an aftermarket headunit so that I can keep CarPlay.
What would you all do?
The 2016 Sonata in my signature (bought CPO w/35k) is coming up on 70k miles, about the milage Theta IIs seem to start to fail. Despite Hyundai's claims that the issue was limited to 2011-2014, there are tons of reports of 2015s failing, and Hyundai has extended warranty coverage up to and including the 2019 models (the 2020s will come with the new Theta III). I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a 2016+ Theta II failing. I have had ZERO issues with the car up to this point, not even a set of brakes, which makes it tough to want to give up the car so soon. But, my job is keeping me very busy and I really don't want the hassle/lost time of an unexpected breakdown on the highway, dealing with a tow, and fighting with Hyundai for rental reimbursement. I realize I am under warranty for the engine, but the hassle alone is not worth it.
On two recent cold (~20 degree) mornings, I heard what I think is noticable knocking on start that goes away after a few minutes. I'm told this can be an early warning sign of the premature bearing failure. I can post a video when I get back to my home computer.
I'm lucky to have made some investments a few years ago that have put me in a great spot financially, so I can trade it in for another car with barely a dent to net worth. But still being cheap and preferring practical, reliable, lower cost transportation, I am thinking of just trading the car in for a 2016 or 2017 Camry (pre new DI engine/8spd) that I can keep until the wheels fall off. Likely an LE, but maybe an XLE, only thing I will do is that I will probably put in an aftermarket headunit so that I can keep CarPlay.
What would you all do?