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13 Most Common Hyundai Problems in UAE: Owner Reports 2025

Engine Crankshaft Sensor Failure

Problem overview

Affected Hyundai models

Service records and official recalls show these models face this issue:

Repair cost or fix

Owner experiences

Transmission Slipping and Hesitation

Problem overview

Affected Hyundai models

Repair cost or fix

Owner experiences

ABS Module Fire Risk

Problem overview

Affected Hyundai models

Repair cost or fix

Owner experiences

Electrical System Failures

Problem overview

Affected Hyundai models

Service records and owner complaints show these electrical failures commonly affect:

Repair cost or fix

Owner experiences

Excessive Oil Consumption

Problem overview

Affected Hyundai models

Nu, Gamma, Theta, Lambda, and Kappa engines are most likely to have this issue.

Repair cost or fix

A complete engine replacement costs about AED 29,375. First owners might get this covered under warranty. Second owners don’t get the same 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty protection.

Cars with this problem need constant monitoring. Owners must add oil every 800-1,000 miles if they can’t replace the engine.

Owner experiences

“There’s no oil in the car,” said a UAE resident about his 2017 Santa Fe. His engine had used all its oil after 2,000 miles, even though it passed a full inspection at 90,000 miles.

One owner lost a quart of oil every 500 miles. The problem got so bad that both engine and catalytic converter needed replacement because oil clogged the converter.

Hyundai dealers don’t deal very well with this issue. They often refuse warranty coverage to second owners, which frustrates many customers.

Engine Knocking and Seizing (Theta II Engine)

The Theta II engine controversy stands as one of the most systemic hyundai common problems UAE owners face, with implications way beyond the reach and influence of minor performance issues.

Problem overview

A distinct knocking noise marks the start of Theta II engine failure that gets louder as engine RPM increases. Metallic debris from manufacturing remained in the engine crankshaft. This contamination ended up restricting oil flow to connecting rod bearings and caused premature wear. The bearings’ deterioration leads to power loss, hesitation, vibration, and warning lights on the dashboard—especially check engine and oil pressure warnings.

Connecting rods can break and damage the engine block in severe cases. This allows oil to escape and touch hot surfaces that could start fires. Hyundai later admitted these failures came from four major design flaws they tried to hide, not just manufacturing debris.

Affected Hyundai models

These models came with problematic 2.0L and 2.4L Theta II engines:

Repair cost or fix

Hyundai responded to massive warranty claims and legal pressure with several solutions:

Engine replacement costs range from AED 15,000-29,000 without warranty coverage. UAE owners benefit from KSDS software that monitors engine vibrations to detect problems before total failure. The system activates a protective mode that limits speed to about 1,800-2,000 RPM if it finds issues.

Owner experiences

“This was the third engine failure for this vehicle and the last. I am not going to go through this again,” said one frustrated owner. A UAE resident’s 2013 Sorento engine failed without warning while crossing railroad tracks, which resulted in a serious accident.

Many UAE owners feel frustrated by Hyundai’s original response to acknowledge these problems. The company sometimes blamed customers for “not warming up the engine properly” or poor maintenance.

Airbag and Seatbelt Sensor Malfunctions

“Higher trims also offer advanced safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, ensuring peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.” — Arab Wheels Editorial Team, Automotive publication focusing on the Middle Eastern market

Safety system failures in Hyundai vehicles worry UAE owners. These malfunctions put occupant safety at risk during accidents.

Problem overview

Airbag and seatbelt sensors fail in several dangerous ways. The airbags don’t deploy during collisions, which leaves passengers vulnerable to injuries. The seat belts can unlatch without warning and completely remove restraint protection. Some pre-positioners behave abnormally during impacts and send metal fragments flying inside the passenger cabin. The warning lights and false warning chimes make it hard for drivers to know if their safety systems work properly.

Affected Hyundai models

Recent investigations show these problems in several Hyundai vehicles:

Repair cost or fix

Each malfunction needs different solutions. A complete seat belt assembly replacement costs between AED 1101.58- 1468.78. Vehicles under active recall get free repairs at authorized dealerships. Specialists use OBD-II scanners to read error codes and reset the system after repairs. Some fixes need new sensors, wiring harnesses, or entire control units.

Owner experiences

“My mom’s car just spontaneously combusted downtown while my sister and niece were driving it,” one owner said about their faulty restraint system. A Creta owner received compensation when airbags failed during a frontal collision. The situation became serious when four deaths and six injuries were linked to airbag failures in specific Hyundai models. Owners find it hard to diagnose problems because warning lights flash randomly.

Infotainment System Glitches

Modern infotainment systems have become the technological pain point for hyundai common problems UAE drivers report. These issues create frustrations beyond mere inconvenience and can lead to dangerous driving distractions.

Problem overview

Hyundai vehicles’ infotainment system glitches show up in several ways that disrupt your driving experience. These problems include:

These hyundai common issues become worse in UAE’s extreme temperatures. The infotainment systems often become less responsive or stop working during summer months. J.D. Power’s Multimedia Quality survey shows that infotainment systems make up 25% of all multimedia problems. Connectivity issues rank as the top complaint.

Affected Hyundai models

Repair records and customer complaints show these infotainment glitches affect:

Repair cost or fix

Hyundai offers several solutions for software-related issues:

Newer models like IONIQ 5 can get automatic software fixes through over-the-air (OTA) updates without dealership visits. Older models can get USB updates from Hyundai’s Navigation Update Portal.

Hardware replacement costs vary:

Owner experiences

“My wife is experiencing screen problems. Rear camera not stopping when driving forward, screen going blank and coming back on,” a UAE Venue owner shares.

A Palisade owner explains: “The issue is that certain buttons stop working. Mostly the steering wheel audio control buttons. When this happens the map also becomes very slow to pop up after original start up”.

Many owners have found a temporary fix using the reset button (near setup or volume controls). This performs a soft reboot without erasing personal settings. Most owners need to do this reset several times each month.

Fuel Gage Sensor Failure

Faulty fuel gage readings pose a serious risk for hyundai common problems UAE drivers face. These issues can leave drivers stranded with empty tanks even when their indicators show plenty of fuel.

Problem overview

Your fuel gage sensor (or sending unit) relies on a float mechanism to measure fuel levels and send this information to your dashboard. A failing component can cause your gage to show wrong readings, stick at full or empty, jump around randomly, or display incorrect levels while you drive.

The malfunction happens due to several reasons:

The UAE’s harsh temperatures make these components deteriorate faster, which explains why this problem occurs more often in this region.

Affected Hyundai models

This hyundai common issue affects many models:

Repair cost or fix

The solution remains straightforward despite the complex nature of the problem:

Simple issues might resolve by disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes to reset the fuel gage system.

Owner experiences

“My gas gage is not working properly, I reset my trip gage and figure out when it’s time to gas up according to the mileage,” reports one 2012 Tucson owner who found that there was “a constant problem with Hyundais” according to gas station attendants.

Another owner of a 2021 Elantra noted: “It flies through that first quarter but then evens out. Just manually keep track of your gas mileage and you’ll see it’s fine”.

UAE drivers now commonly track their mileage manually to work around this persistent hyundai cars common problem.

Suspension Wear and Tear

Suspension problems are a critical yet overlooked category of hyundai common problems UAE drivers face. The region’s road conditions magnify wear patterns beyond manufacturer expectations.

Problem overview

Shock absorbers play a crucial role in vehicle performance and safety. These components ensure proper tire contact with the road, distribute the car’s weight evenly, and deliver comfortable ride quality. Several hyundai common issues can plague the suspension system:

Affected Hyundai models

Repair cost or fix

Owner experiences

Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit Short

Problem overview

Affected Hyundai models

Repair cost or fix

Owner experiences

Ignition Coil and Spark Plug Issues

Problem overview

Affected Hyundai models

Repair cost or fix

Owner experiences

Battery Drain and Charging Problems

Problem overview

Affected Hyundai models

Repair cost or fix

Owner experiences

Comparison Table

Conclusion

FAQs

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