According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2023 Hyundai HB20 has 3 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Recall: Automatic Transmission Electric Oil Pump Control Module Short Circuit (Fire Risk) ($0-$0 repair) and 1.0 TGDI Direct Injection Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power. Across all issues, repair costs range from $350 to $800. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2023-2024 Hyundai HB20, on October 2, 2023, Hyundai Motor Brasil announced an official recall for HB20 and HB20S (and Creta) models with the automatic transmission, produced between December 20, 2022 and September 27, 2023. A non-conformity in the control module of the transmission's electric oil pump can cause an internal short circuit; in extreme cases the short can lead to a fire, with risk of property damage and serious or fatal injuries, per the manufacturer's recall communication. The campaign was covered by the Brazilian automotive press and Hyundai published the official notice on its recall portal.
Common Symptoms
Usually no warning before failure (preventive recall)
Transmission warning light or fault message in some cases
Burning/electrical smell in extreme cases
Risk of underhood fire from module short circuit
How to Fix
Schedule the free recall service at any Hyundai dealership — the inspection/correction of the electric oil pump control module takes about two hours. Affected owners can confirm whether their chassis is included via Hyundai Brasil's recall page (hyundai.com.br/servicos/recalls) or the customer center at 0800 770 3355. Buyers of used 2023-2024 automatic HB20/HB20S should verify the recall has been performed before purchase.
High ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jun 2026
On the 2020-2023 Hyundai HB20, second-generation HB20s with the 1.0 TGDI turbo direct-injection engine (Smartstream Kappa, introduced for MY2020) show a recurring complaint pattern in Brazil: the injection/check-engine light comes on, the engine loses power or shuts down entirely, and the car must be towed to a dealership — sometimes repeatedly on the same vehicle, including cars with under 30,000 km. Multiple Reclame Aqui complaints describe it as a chronic problem, with owners reporting dealerships keeping large stocks of injection components because of the failure frequency, and Brazilian automotive sites (Grupo Sentinela, Click Petróleo e Gás) list direct-injection failures, power loss, and increased fuel consumption among the most-cited HB20 II defects. Dealers frequently attribute the failures to fuel quality, which has led to warranty disputes; Hyundai has publicly characterized the cases as isolated and covered by the 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty. The direct-injection system (high-pressure pump, injectors) is more complex and more expensive to repair than the older port-injection 1.0.
Common Symptoms
Injection/check-engine warning light comes on
Sudden loss of power or limp mode while driving
Engine stalls or shuts down and will not restart
Rough running and increased fuel consumption
Failure recurs after dealership repair
How to Fix
If the injection warning light comes on or the car goes into reduced power, have it scanned and repaired at a Hyundai dealership under the 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty — push back on fuel-quality denials if you fuel at reputable stations, and keep fuel receipts. Repairs typically involve replacing failed injectors, the high-pressure fuel pump, or related sensors and reflashing the ECU. Using good-quality fuel from known stations reduces (but does not eliminate) the risk. Outside warranty, direct-injection component replacement is substantially more expensive than on the aspirated engine, so a pre-purchase scan of injection fault history is advisable on used TGDI cars.
Medium ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jun 2026
On the 2012-2024 Hyundai HB20, the HB20's 1.0-liter Kappa three-cylinder engine (used across both generations, including the 12v aspirated and later TGDI versions) uses a timing chain with a hydraulic tensioner that depends entirely on oil pressure and oil cleanliness. A widely documented complaint among Brazilian owners and independent mechanics is a metallic rattle from the chain side of the engine on cold start, which fades after a few seconds once oil pressure builds. Extended oil-change intervals, wrong viscosity, or low-quality oil clog the tensioner's oil passages, letting the chain slacken and slap against the cover. Left unaddressed, the chain and guides wear prematurely, the noise becomes constant, and in advanced cases timing accuracy is affected. The issue is discussed extensively on Hyundai HB20 Clube forums, the Oficina Brasil professional mechanics forum, and Brazilian automotive sites covering 2012-2024+ cars.
Common Symptoms
Metallic rattle from the engine for a few seconds on cold start
Chain slap noise from the timing-cover side of the engine
Noise becomes louder or constant as mileage increases
Ticking/rattle worsens when oil changes are overdue
Noise fades once the engine warms and oil pressure stabilizes
How to Fix
If the rattle lasts only a couple of seconds on a cold morning start, it is often hydraulic lifter/tensioner bleed-down and can be managed with strict 5,000-10,000 km oil changes using the correct specification oil. If the noise persists or returns when warm, have the chain, tensioner, and guides inspected. Replacement of the full timing kit (chain, tensioner, guides, gears) with quality parts runs roughly R$2,000-4,000 (parts plus labor) in Brazil. Maintaining clean oil at the correct viscosity is the primary prevention measure since the tensioner is oil-fed.
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2023-2023 Hyundai HB20 has 3 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Recall: Automatic Transmission Electric Oil Pump Control Module Short Circuit (Fire Risk), 1.0 TGDI Direct Injection Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power, 1.0 Kappa Three-Cylinder Timing Chain and Tensioner Rattle on Cold Start. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Hyundai HB20 reliable?
The 2023-2023 Hyundai HB20 has 3 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Recall: Automatic Transmission Electric Oil Pump Control Module Short Circuit (Fire Risk) and 1.0 TGDI Direct Injection Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Hyundai HB20 problems?
Repair costs for known Hyundai HB20 issues range from $0 to $800, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Recall: Automatic Transmission Electric Oil Pump Control Module Short Circuit (Fire Risk), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2023-2024 Hyundai HB20 Recall: Automatic Transmission Electric Oil Pump Control Module Short Circuit (Fire Risk)?
On October 2, 2023, Hyundai Motor Brasil announced an official recall for HB20 and HB20S (and Creta) models with the automatic transmission, produced between December 20, 2022 and September 27, 2023. A non-conformity in the control module of the transmission's electric oil pump c… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2023 Hyundai HB20 1.0 TGDI Direct Injection Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power?
Second-generation HB20s with the 1.0 TGDI turbo direct-injection engine (Smartstream Kappa, introduced for MY2020) show a recurring complaint pattern in Brazil: the injection/check-engine light comes on, the engine loses power or shuts down entirely, and the car must be towed to… Severity: high.
What is the 2012-2024 Hyundai HB20 1.0 Kappa Three-Cylinder Timing Chain and Tensioner Rattle on Cold Start?
The HB20's 1.0-liter Kappa three-cylinder engine (used across both generations, including the 12v aspirated and later TGDI versions) uses a timing chain with a hydraulic tensioner that depends entirely on oil pressure and oil cleanliness. A widely documented complaint among Brazi… Repairs typically run $350-$800. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
