Woman Takes Hyundai to Dealership When it Burns Too Much Oil. Then She Asks For a 'Goodwill' Replacement

"I will never speak ill of my Toyota."

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By: Chad Swiatecki

Jul 28, 2025 at 9:00am ET

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Do you think your powertrain warranty has your back? Only if you're the first owner, in most cases. For tens of thousands of used Hyundai drivers, that small print could mean the difference between a free engine replacement and a five-figure bill.

“If your car is burning oil at an alarming rate, please put in a case with Hyundai corporate. You are going to have to request for a goodwill repair,” warns creator Blanca Crowe (@blancacrowe), whose Hyundai troubles we’ve covered previously. “Put in a request for a goodwill repair for your engine, and then you're gonna have to come with the receipts.”

In a new video gaining traction among frustrated car owners, she warns others about the steps owners of newer pre-owned cars must take to qualify for an expensive repair.

Her message focuses on paperwork, powertrain fine print, and the reality of navigating warranty coverage as a second-hand vehicle owner. For many Hyundai and Kia drivers, Blanca’s experience echoes a much larger problem: Rising complaints about excessive oil consumption, denied warranty claims, and the complicated process of obtaining so-called “goodwill repairs.”

In an earlier TikTok, Blanca shared how her 2018 Hyundai Tucson's engine exploded after two years of ownership, only for her warranty claim to be delayed and scrutinized. She’s now on month five of dealing with the repair headaches and coverage questions.

During that time, she has submitted service records, oil change receipts, and repeatedly followed up with the dealership and corporate office. Her case illustrated a common frustration among Hyundai and other pre-owned vehicle buyers: Dealing with engine defects and uneven repair experiences that depend on ownership status, mileage, and dealer discretion.

Since 2015, Hyundai and Kia have recalled millions of vehicles for engine-related defects and fire risks, many tied to Theta II engines known for excessive oil consumption and potential failure.

Warranty Details Matter

Speaking directly from the front seat of her car, she explains that the replacement engine still isn’t quite right. “I just want it to be perfect for when I go to resell this thing,” she says. “I don't want it to sound weird when it starts.”

She’s now been through three repair attempts and suspects she may have to go back again. Her advice to others: Be prepared for a long and frustrating process.

Her biggest warning is about warranty eligibility, a key point many may overlook. Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty applies only to original owners. Second owners get just five years from the manufacture date or 60,000 miles, according to Hyundai’s official policy. So, a lightly driven 2018 Tucson with only 35,000 miles might still be out of warranty today based solely on calendar age.

Thousands of Hyundai and Kia owners have filed complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding engine knocking, stalling, and excessive oil use. In 2020, Hyundai and Kia paid $210 million in penalties related to delayed recalls and engine defect reporting as part of a settlement with NHTSA. That came on the heels of a class action settlement covering certain Theta II engines, which extended warranty coverage and reimbursed some out-of-pocket expenses for affected owners.

But coverage under that settlement depends on the vehicle model, engine type, and whether the owner followed Hyundai’s strict maintenance requirements, including keeping receipts for every oil change. For secondhand buyers, those records are often unavailable.

What Drivers Can Do

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If you’re experiencing oil consumption, rough starts, or engine knocking in your Hyundai or Kia, here are the steps you should take:

Open a Case with Hyundai Corporate: Begin by submitting a complaint or service request through Hyundai's official channels. You'll need your VIN, contact info, and details about the issue.
Request a Goodwill Repair If Out of Warranty: If you’re a second owner or your factory warranty has expired, you can request a goodwill repair—a discretionary service based on proof of regular maintenance. These aren’t guaranteed, but have worked in many cases.
Gather Documentation: Hyundai expects detailed service records, including all oil change receipts and records of repeat dealer visits for the same issue, as well as video/audio proof of abnormal engine behavior. Additionally, provide any recall or technical service bulletin numbers related to your issue.
File a Safety Complaint: If your engine failure posed a safety risk, report it to NHTSA’s complaint portal. These reports help build the case for future recalls.

Motor1 reached out to Blanca via email. We'll update this post if we hear back.