2015 Engine Needs Replacing at 163k miles?

[Elly May]

I purchased a new 2015 Genesis at the beginning of 2015 and have maintained all scheduled maintenance at a dealership according to the owners manual. I love the car. Yesterday, a local dealership told me the engine needed to be replaced. I wasn't even there for an engine problem. (It was a suspension problem.) How is that possible when it has been maintained so meticulously? I have all receipts and keep track of everything done on a spreadsheet. They estimate $15k to replace it. KBB says the car is not worth that, more like $7,725 trade-in or $9,799 for private party sale. Should I get a second opinion?

 

[EdP]

I purchased a new 2015 Genesis at the beginning of 2015 and have maintained all scheduled maintenance at a dealership according to the owners manual. I love the car. Yesterday, a local dealership told me the engine needed to be replaced. I wasn't even there for an engine problem. (It was a suspension problem.) How is that possible when it has been maintained so meticulously? I have all receipts and keep track of everything done on a spreadsheet. They estimate $15k to replace it. KBB says the car is not worth that, more like $7,725 trade-in or $9,799 for private party sale. Should I get a second opinion?

Did they tell you why? Does it seem to be running OK?
I know what I would do. I'd go to a different dealer and trade it in. Meantime, get a second opinion for sure. Given the miles, it may well be wearing out, every engine does no matter how well maintained. I've had cars go out in much less time. Wore out two engines in one car in little more than your one.

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

I purchased a new 2015 Genesis at the beginning of 2015 and have maintained all scheduled maintenance at a dealership according to the owners manual. I love the car. Yesterday, a local dealership told me the engine needed to be replaced. I wasn't even there for an engine problem. (It was a suspension problem.) How is that possible when it has been maintained so meticulously? I have all receipts and keep track of everything done on a spreadsheet. They estimate $15k to replace it. KBB says the car is not worth that, more like $7,725 trade-in or $9,799 for private party sale. Should I get a second opinion?

Sounds I Ike Somebody is F...ing with you?

 

[Elly May]

Sounds I Ike Somebody is F...ing with you?

I hope so!

 

[Elly May]

Did they tell you why? Does it seem to be running OK?
I know what I would do. I'd go to a different dealer and trade it in. Meantime, get a second opinion for sure. Given the miles, it may well be wearing out, every engine does no matter how well maintained. I've had cars go out in much less time. Wore out two engines in one car in little more than your one.

Yes, it is running fine, no alerts, no performance issues. They did tell me why but they used words I had never heard before. I have owned several cars in my lifetime, and I usually keep them for 10 to 15 years, so I feel like I’ve heard it all as I have them prepared to live out their full life. I have never had to replace an engine. I’m going to call the same dealership tomorrow to ask them to send me exactly what they found. I am planning to take it to another certified service place tomorrow if I can get in. Then I will see what happens. I thought about the trade in idea, but if they are right and this engine has gone bad so early on, I’m not so happy about owning another Genesis.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Yes, it is running fine, no alerts, no performance issues. They did tell me why but they used words I had never heard before. I have owned several cars in my lifetime, and I usually keep them for 10 to 15 years, so I feel like I’ve heard it all as I have them prepared to live out their full life. I have never had to replace an engine. I’m going to call the same dealership tomorrow to ask them to send me exactly what they found. I am planning to take it to another certified service place tomorrow if I can get in. Then I will see what happens. I thought about the trade in idea, but if they are right and this engine has gone bad so early on, I’m not so happy about owning another Genesis.

I wonder if you attempt to sell it at another dealership, if the VIN is already marked with needing an engine...

Did the dealership mention anything about compression? I'm really curious about what the cause of this is.

It IS possible that an engine goes bad with that kind of mileage. It IS kinda high. But I'd say, on average, most well taken care of engines last longer than that.

Which engine does your Genesis have?

 

[carguy75]

Yes, it is running fine, no alerts, no performance issues. They did tell me why but they used words I had never heard before. I have owned several cars in my lifetime, and I usually keep them for 10 to 15 years, so I feel like I’ve heard it all as I have them prepared to live out their full life. I have never had to replace an engine. I’m going to call the same dealership tomorrow to ask them to send me exactly what they found. I am planning to take it to another certified service place tomorrow if I can get in. Then I will see what happens. I thought about the trade in idea, but if they are right and this engine has gone bad so early on, I’m not so happy about owning another Genesis.

Seems very odd that a service department states that a car with a running engine without any warning lights needs an engine replacement.

The exact reason the service department stated that you needed a new engine should be the first piece of information that you obtained in detail; even if you had to tell them to explain it in very simple non-technical terms that you will understand.

 

[Elly May]

I wonder if you attempt to sell it at another dealership, if the VIN is already marked with needing an engine...

Did the dealership mention anything about compression? I'm really curious about what the cause of this is.

It IS possible that an engine goes bad with that kind of mileage. It IS kinda high. But I'd say, on average, most well taken care of engines last longer than that.

Which engine does your Genesis have?

I'm guessing the VIN is already marked so another dealership would know about the engine replacement. You make a good point. If I find out they're wrong according to another resource, I'm not sure how to have the VIN corrected.

No mention about compression that I recall. I've left a message with the dealership this morning to get more details.

I have the 3.8L V6 engine.

 

[Elly May]

Did they tell you why? Does it seem to be running OK?
I know what I would do. I'd go to a different dealer and trade it in. Meantime, get a second opinion for sure. Given the miles, it may well be wearing out, every engine does no matter how well maintained. I've had cars go out in much less time. Wore out two engines in one car in little more than your one.

I've contacted the dealer to ask for a more detailed description on what they found. The car is running perfectly with no alerts. I would trade it in for another Genesis, but if I find this engine really does need replacing (after a 2nd and 3rd opinion I scheduled this morning), I'm not keen on buying another Genesis. My last 2 cars Honda Civic (kept for 10 years) and Toyota Avalon (kept for 15 years) had many more thousands of miles on them when I finally sold them, and I didn't have to replace the engine in either. I expect more from a Genesis.

Were the other engines you mention that worn out at similar miles to mine Genesis's? Very curious to know that answer.

 

[ballistic]

I've contacted the dealer to ask for a more detailed description on what they found. The car is running perfectly with no alerts. I would trade it in for another Genesis, but if I find this engine really does need replacing (after a 2nd and 3rd opinion I scheduled this morning), I'm not keen on buying another Genesis. My last 2 cars Honda Civic (kept for 10 years) and Toyota Avalon (kept for 15 years) had many more thousands of miles on them when I finally sold them, and I didn't have to replace the engine in either. I expect more from a Genesis.

Were the other engines you mention that worn out at similar miles to mine Genesis's? Very curious to know that answer.

i don't know if i'd expect MORE from genesis, or really any brand for that matter, as far an engine longevity goes. toyota has historically had very reliable engines. more so than i'm pretty sure any brand.

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[EdP]

I've contacted the dealer to ask for a more detailed description on what they found. The car is running perfectly with no alerts. I would trade it in for another Genesis, but if I find this engine really does need replacing (after a 2nd and 3rd opinion I scheduled this morning), I'm not keen on buying another Genesis. My last 2 cars Honda Civic (kept for 10 years) and Toyota Avalon (kept for 15 years) had many more thousands of miles on them when I finally sold them, and I didn't have to replace the engine in either. I expect more from a Genesis.

Were the other engines you mention that worn out at similar miles to mine Genesis's? Very curious to know that answer.

No, they were GM engines, not as good as Hyundai/Genesis.
Things have changed. When I started driving, if you made 50k you were getting rings and bearings replaced to get another 25 to 50k. Not to mention carburator repairs.

Many will go 200k+ now, but, like all things mechanical, there are always exceptions. They all wear out in time.
I'm curious as to what they told you, like others, we look forward to your post about it.

 

[tarhoosier]

Not at all your issue.
My experience long ago: Driving a VW across country the car simply stopped running. Engine stopped and no indication why. I coasted to the side of the road and walked to where I could find a phone to call for tow. Took it to VW dealer. Car went straight to lift while I waited. Advisor said I needed new engine. Possible I missed the smoke and noise such an event would require but what alternative did I have hundreds of miles from home? I called for a motel and when I returned to the service area I walked to the lift where my car was. Mechanic says he was told to remove all connections for engine removal. He noticed that gas line had been loosened prior to going on the lift. THAT WAS THE ISSUE. I told him to stop all work. Advisor agreed to reconnect everything and in an hour or so I was on my way.
As an out of stater was I marked as a $$$ pit? I learned a lesson or three that day.

 

[Elly May]

Not at all your issue.
My experience long ago: Driving a VW across country the car simply stopped running. Engine stopped and no indication why. I coasted to the side of the road and walked to where I could find a phone to call for tow. Took it to VW dealer. Car went straight to lift while I waited. Advisor said I needed new engine. Possible I missed the smoke and noise such an event would require but what alternative did I have hundreds of miles from home? I called for a motel and when I returned to the service area I walked to the lift where my car was. Mechanic says he was told to remove all connections for engine removal. He noticed that gas line had been loosened prior to going on the lift. THAT WAS THE ISSUE. I told him to stop all work. Advisor agreed to reconnect everything and in an hour or so I was on my way.
As an out of stater was I marked as a $$$ pit? I learned a lesson or three that day.

Wow! What a story! I like to believe people are decent and honest, and these experiences are just wrong diagnoses. But with stories like this, dealer recommendations have a bad reputation. And for good reason.

 

[tarhoosier]

Prior to internet and online reviews and Yelp and so on, this kind of thing could occur, and did. More difficult now and requires obfuscation. Easier now to sell crypto coin futures to rob people.

 

[Elly May]

No, they were GM engines, not as good as Hyundai/Genesis.
Things have changed. When I started driving, if you made 50k you were getting rings and bearings replaced to get another 25 to 50k. Not to mention carburator repairs.

Many will go 200k+ now, but, like all things mechanical, there are always exceptions. They all wear out in time.
I'm curious as to what they told you, like others, we look forward to your post about it.

Update on the engine diagnosis...the independent mechanic agreed with the dealership based on the fact that you can hear a ticking noise coming from the engine, and it would be quite costly to tear apart the engine, find the parts that are wrong, replace them, and put the engine back together only to have another part fail a little later, given the 163k miles on it. They think it would be better to just replace the engine.

After the dealership didn't return 3 phone calls, I went in person and asked them to write something that explains the problem better. They took a bit to get it, but here's what it says...Found knocking in the motor and started with replacing oil and flushing the motor. Noise is internal coming from the motor (could have loose rod bearing, burnt valve, timing chain damage). Cannot fully determine cause of failure. Can tear down motor for further diagnostics, drop oil pan, pull valve cover, estimate 4 hours of labor to start.

That pretty much matches what the 2nd opinion said. I have another independent garage I'm taking it to on Friday and will see what they say. The 2nd opinion said Hyundai USA might help with the cost of a new engine. Anyone have experience on how to approach that? I'm willing to give it a try if I say the right things. I really don't want to see my beautiful baby going to a land fill.

 

[5.0KDM]

The high pressure fuel pumps also make a ticking noise. I hope they didn't think that was the engine knock.

 

[joegr]

Since you are not noticing a problem, and they are not wanting to repair your engine, only replace it, I would continue to drive it till it gets worse. (It may never get worse.) If the remedy is to replace the engine, then you don't have anything to lose by letting it continue, even if more internal damage does occur. There are a lot of thing that can cause that noise, and some of them won't get worse for a long time.

 

[Elly May]

Since you are not noticing a problem, and they are not wanting to repair your engine, only replace it, I would continue to drive it till it gets worse. (It may never get worse.) If the remedy is to replace the engine, then you don't have anything to lose by letting it continue, even if more internal damage does occur. There are a lot of thing that can cause that noise, and some of them won't get worse for a long time.

That makes a lot of sense, as if no one ever said the engine was going to die. I wish I had never heard that, to be honest.

 

[EdP]

That makes a lot of sense, as if no one ever said the engine was going to die. I wish I had never heard that, to be honest.

Worst case scenario, it it quits you need a ride home.

I mentioned I lost an engine of one of my cars, it was 1997. I left work, car started, moved about three feet and died. Took the company pickup home and stopped at the local dealer on the way and bought a new car. It was second engine in 182,000 miles.

 

[Elly May]

The high pressure fuel pumps also make a ticking noise. I hope they didn't think that was the engine knock.

They didn’t mention anything like that. It’s more of a ticking than a knocking, if that matters.