Hyundai Recalls 470,000 Sonatas Because Engines Shouldn’t Contain Debris

A properly running engine is a vital part of driving a car, for that reason, Hyundai has initiated a recall of nearly 470,000 sedans that could contain debris in their motors.

The recall covers 470,000 model year 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonata vehicles equipped with a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine.

According to a notice [PDF] posted with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the affected vehicles may contain metallic debris that was not fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft.

If the debris remains, oil flow may be restricted through the connecting rod bearings, causing connecting rod damage and possible engine failure.

As a result, a worn connecting rod bearing will produce a metallic, cyclic knocking noise from the engine and possible engine failure, which increased the chance of a crash, Hyundai says.

Owners of the vehicles will be notified by Hyundai and dealers will inspect and replace the engine assembly, if necessary.