Alternator/generator/regulator problems of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata

Oil leaks from front valve cover gasket drips onto the alternator causes electrical system to shut down causing engine to shut down in traffic while in motion.

Noticed oil was leaking onto my alternator, causing the car to shut off. Issue with the valve cover gasket.

I have the 3. 3l v6 engine that is also in two other vehicles made by hyndai. Both of those vehicles have been recalled due to the fact that the engine leaks oil from a faulty gasket and drips onto the altenator. This causes the alternator to fail prematurely and often without warning. I am on my third one now and it is showing signs of failure. This can be extremely dangerous on the freeway when the vehicle all of a sudden loses all electrical power. This scenario has happened to me twice now. No headlights, no dashboard indicators, no brake lights, no turn signals. At 70mph this creates an extremely dangerous scenario.

On the 3. 3l engine there is a fault in the intake manifold gasket that causes oil to leak onto the alternator causing premature alternator failure. If the vehicle loses power while driving this can increase the risk of a crash. This problem has happened on other vehicles with this same engine such as the veracruz and a recall has been initiated. For some reason the recall does not extend to the Sonata as it should. The following is from the veracruz recall involving the same engine. "Hyundai motor company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative. " my alternator has failed twice now, once while driving and I experienced a total loss of vehicle power. I was able to force the vehicle to the side of the road without incident but it easily could have gone bad on me as I was on the freeway in traffic. Once my alternator and subsequently my battery died I was left without control of the vehicle and without lights on the vehicle to warn other drivers of my situations.

Engine control module(ecm) failed without warning while the vehicle was stationary, requiring extensive repairs. May have also caused battery, alternator, brake switch, condenser fan, and other electrical components to fail.

I first noticed a problem with my 2008 Hyundai Sonata on Friday 08-05-16 when I exited a highway and my seat belt and battery indicator lights began to alternate flashing. I scheduled an appointment with my mechanic a few days later (they are closed on weekends). While driving the vehicle over that weekend those same two indicator lights would continue to alternate flashing when driven below 40 mph. On 08-09-16, while driving on the highway to the mechanic, numerous other indicator lights on the dash began to turn on one by one. After exiting the highway the vehicle began stalling and ultimately lost power. My mechanic replaced the alternator and noticed a significant oil leak near the alternator. He steam cleaned the engine and then found an oil leak from the "front valve cover gasket" was the cause. He replaced it. I'm aware other Hyundai models have been recalled for the exact same problem. We also own a 2007 Hyundai veracruz and we experienced the same problem to that vehicle one year ago, when the veracruz was 8 years old. This happened to my Sonata at the same "age", 8 years old. The veracruz damage was covered by a Hyundai recall. I believe the 2008 Hyundai Sonata needs to be included in Hyundai's recall.

While driving the seat belt light came on. About a minute later the radio shut off. Next most of the dash lights came on , the engine would not make power/accelerate, and the braking seemed weak/jerky. Pulled into a parking lot as soon as I could. Now all dash lights were on/blinking and the radio, sunroof, windows etc would not work. Thinking it was an electrical issue I left it running to investigate. Next thing I know the car is overheating even though the gauge isn't showing it. Steam everywhere and the overflow popped the cap off. Shut the car off. Once the car cooled I was able to see what happened. Oil has been dripping on to the alternator from a leak in the valve cover gasket. This killed the alternator which in turn caused the control/braking/acceleration issues one it was on battery only. I'm assuming the fan was not cooling either which resulted in the overheating.

Engine died while driving. The cause was alternator failure due to oil leak from front valve cover. This is a 2008 Hyundai Sonata 2008 with 3. 3 liters v6.