Symptom explainer · every vehicle on the site
Burns oil or oil level rises
Most reported: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with 161 reports. Across the 186 model years on this site with at least five, owners filed 5,814.
- 5,814owner reports
- 186model years affected
- 53,000median miles
- 22involved a crash
- 49involved a fire
Two different complaints land here. The more common one is an engine that uses oil: owners add a quart between changes, get a low-oil warning, or are told by the dealer that the rate is normal. The other is the opposite, where the oil level climbs and the oil smells of gasoline. Both deserve a proper test, and both are easier to argue with records in hand.
Which cars report it most · By model · When it happens · What it is and what to do
The 25 vehicles with the most reports
Each row is one model year. The bar is its count of oil consumption reports; the share is how much of that car's complaint file this problem takes up. Bigger sellers draw more reports, so read the share alongside the count. Red dots mark crashes and fires in these reports; amber marks a recall on the same system.
- 12017 Hyundai Santa Fe1 crashrecall16117% of its complaints78k mi
- 22017 Hyundai Tucsonrecall15414% of its complaints70k mi
- 32018 Jeep Compass1 crash1 firerecall14415% of its complaints12k mi
- 42018 Ford EcoSportrecall13919% of its complaints65k mi
- 52017 Honda CR-V2 crashes1358% of its complaints12k mi
- 62017 Hyundai Sonata1 crash2 fires13117% of its complaints55k mi
- 71306% of its complaints6k mi
- 812410% of its complaints67k mi
- 92017 Kia Sorentorecall12015% of its complaints50k mi
- 102016 Kia Optima1 fire11816% of its complaints66k mi
- 112016 Hyundai Sonata1 crash1 fire11316% of its complaints78k mi
- 122016 Kia Soul1 crash2 firesrecall9512% of its complaints80k mi
- 132019 Ford EcoSportrecall9420% of its complaints70k mi
- 142014 Kia Soul3 firesrecall8710% of its complaints100k mi
- 152016 Hyundai Tucson1 fire855% of its complaints73k mi
- 162018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport1 crash8426% of its complaints69k mi
- 172015 Hyundai Sonata1 fire837% of its complaints50k mi
- 182020 Ford EcoSportrecall8221% of its complaints72k mi
- 192015 Kia Soulrecall819% of its complaints90k mi
- 202015 Chevrolet Equinox1 fire7912% of its complaints91k mi
- 217923% of its complaints77k mi
- 227610% of its complaints65k mi
- 237514% of its complaints95k mi
- 242018 Hyundai Sonata2 fires7520% of its complaints57k mi
- 252020 Hyundai Palisade3 fires7514% of its complaints24k mi
Where it dominates the complaint file
Model years with at least 25 reports, ranked by the share of all their complaints that describe oil consumption. That takes most of the sales-volume effect out (small sellers still swing more).
- 12019 Hyundai Sonata1 fire4729% of its complaints70k mi
- 24229% of its complaints8k mi
- 32019 Kia Soul1 fire3727% of its complaints90k mi
- 42018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport1 crash8426% of its complaints69k mi
- 53323% of its complaints60k mi
- 67923% of its complaints77k mi
- 74821% of its complaints45k mi
- 82020 Ford EcoSportrecall8221% of its complaints72k mi
- 92019 Ford EcoSportrecall9420% of its complaints70k mi
- 102018 Hyundai Sonata2 fires7520% of its complaints57k mi
By model, every year together
The 12 models with the most reports. Each chip is a model year; the darker chip is its worst year.
- Kia Soul463
- Kia Sorento405
- Kia Optima322
- Honda CR-V318
- Jeep Compass169
When it happens
3,494 of the 5,814 reports state a mileage. The middle half fall between 7,825 and 87,659 miles; the median is 53,000. Each column is a 20,000-mile band.
Reports by model year
Every report of oil consumption, grouped by the model year of the car. 22 involved a crash and 49 a fire. 15 people were hurt.
What owners describe
Share of the 5,814 reports that use each phrase. One report can use several.
What got replaced
Reports that name the part, across every vehicle.
What it is and what to do
How much is normal
Some oil use is expected in every engine. A GM service bulletin on the subject, filed with NHTSA, explains why: each piston stroke leaves a thin film of oil on the cylinder wall, and part of it burns. GM set its accepted rate at one quart per 2,000 miles for engines in normal personal use under warranty, and said aggressive driving, towing and high speeds raise it. That figure is GM's, for its own engines, so ask your dealer for the rate that applies to yours in writing.
The same bulletin lists what can make an engine use more than it should. It includes a blocked or damaged PCV (crankcase ventilation) system, running hot, and wear such as stuck or worn piston rings and valve guide seals. Owners here also name piston rings, the PCV valve, the turbocharger and replacement engines.
When the level goes up
A rising level that smells of gasoline means fuel is ending up in the oil. GM's bulletin notes that short trips under five miles, especially in cold weather, can leave unburned fuel and condensation in the oil so the dipstick reads overfull. A drive long enough to hold normal temperature for 30 minutes or more can boil it off. If it keeps rising, have it checked.
What a shop checks first
Expect a leak inspection, then an oil consumption test. GM's procedure has the dealer set the level with the engine warm, parked level, after at least 15 minutes, and record it. The owner then checks at each fill-up and comes back after 2,000 miles, or sooner if the level drops a quart. Ask for a copy of each reading.
When to stop driving
Stop and check the oil the moment the oil pressure or low oil warning comes on. The GM bulletin warns that running below the dipstick's minimum mark can cause severe engine damage, and that damage from low oil isn't covered by the new vehicle warranty. Until it's sorted, check the level every time you buy fuel.
Recalls, bulletins and warranty
Oil use gets addressed in bulletins like GM's and sometimes in warranty extensions, and automakers must file both with NHTSA. Search your year, make and model on NHTSA's recall page and read the manufacturer communications before the test starts. Keep every oil change receipt with date and mileage. The FTC says a warranty company can ask for those records, and routine maintenance at an independent shop doesn't void the warranty.
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints on the 1,040 vehicle model years that have a page here, grouped by the word patterns described on the method page. A vehicle needs five matching reports to be counted in this ranking. Checked Sep 27, 2026. All problem explainers.