NHTSA complaint #11713262

Owner complaint summary

2020 HYUNDAI Tucson Engine blown @ 89,307 miles and 1,265 miles after oil change due to missing oil plug. Daughter drives about 5 miles per day for college and groceries. The day before Thanksgiving 2025, her 2020 HYUNDAI Tucson died about 48 miles down the Highway without warning, no prior warning lights or sounds before shutting down. I had the car towed to the local HYUNDAI dealer in the town where her college is, where they told us the engine was totaled due to a lack of oil and a missing oil plug. I discussed with the HYUNDAI service advisor about having an extended warranty; however, they would not work with me or the company I had the extended warranty with, mentioning they would not cover the engine failure due to the oil plug being missing. I asked the service advisor in a separate conversation whether an oil pan drain plug that was not properly torqued during an oil change could remain in place for some time—particularly during short, low-speed driving—and then gradually work loose over additional miles. The service advisor mentioned that in situations like my daughter’s, where only about 1,265 miles were driven after the oil change (mostly short trips), it would be within reason for an improperly installed drain plug to stay in place until a longer highway drive with higher RPMs, at which point it could back out completely and result in a sudden oil loss and engine shutdown. The service advisor also mentioned that this is something they had seen before and is not unheard of on these vehicles.