Topic: Overhyped Hyundai!

[Preetimus]

I purchased a 2009 Hyundai Elantra brand new. Since then the car has had nothing but problems (starting three days after purchase). Of course my "amazing" Hyundai warranty covers none of this. Upon independent mechanic review I have found the dealership lied about what repair was needed! When I contacted Hyundai Corp they sent me an insulting stock letter, the jist: "So sad, to bad!" I've put over $3000 into my brand new car since 2009. I'm not sure how or why consumer reports believes in this sub-standard  "product"? Buyer beware here: Hyundai/Kia sounds like a good deal but like most things that sound to good to be true Hyundai is as well!

From my experience I'd never purchase from Hyundai again and I'll be making sure none of my friends and family make the same mistake as me.

[ktm525]

Unless you provide details this sounds like some bored Toyota salesman post.

[Erik]

Nah, that can't be true!!!

[Preetimus]

Sorry to disappoint folks. My name is Manpreet Dhami, I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and do not work (or would ever work) in the automotive industry. I do however own this Elantra that is the bain of my existence. Take it for what you will. Sounds about right that a dealer would falsify reports about the competitor instead of creating a better experience but that is not the case this time. What can I do to prove my ownership?

[ktm525]

What repair(s) could you have that would cost $3000 on a new car that would not be covered by warranty?

What failed, at what mileage?

[aaronk]

I'll wait to hear a little more on the last question before I comment on this issue, but our Hyundai (bought in April 2010) has been flawless thus-far, knock on wood. I have heard the same of friends of our family, older Hyundai models that have proven durable and affordable, which led us to the purchase in the first place. Granted they have a ballooning reputation that may not be entirely deserved, but from what I hear a lot of people are coming away with good ownership experiences.

[Preetimus]

Thanks for the feedback here are some more details:

Since 2009 I've had these non-warranty repairs (this speaks to my quality point):
Had the alignment repaired 4 times. Including once 3 days after purchase. You have my word the car had been driven home and the problem showed up upon the first drive afterwords. (Should mention there was to be a 5th but went to another mechanic first who could not find any problem with the alignment?)
New tires (only lasted 25,000km)
New brakes twice. (That's my own fault but I'm not "automotively inclined"  enough to know they should have lasted much longer!?)
New shocks
New plugs
Right wheel "well" coming apart (twice on same wheel).
Keep in mind this is only at 30,000kms (as of today).
I also should mention that I live downtown and the majority of driving has taken place withing a 5 km squared area, very affluent community with well cared for streets. I've never hit a curb or driven at excessive speeds, or done any of the things Hyundai has accused me of?

Then there were the warrantied issues:
My glass warranty actually only covers repairs not replacement (even though I was told replacement specifically was covered) Fair enough (my word against theirs and I should have read the warranty rather than take their word for it) except one issue: The glass always needs to be replaced? I've taken the car in on several occasions and regardless of the size and shape of the chip (I assure you some were extremely superficial) the entire windshield needed replacement which wound up as a cost to me.
Also I have "3M" paint coverage that was supposedly warranted to be repainted and re "3M'd" for any and all paint chips within that area. After 3 attempts the dealer has told me that these are not covered and I can't even see in the warranty where this would not be covered. Again after contacting both the dealership and the corp they chose to ignore me.

 I think the larger issue is that every single time (literally every single time) I've taken my car in for a service (oil change, etc) I've needed a major non-warrantied repair. Is this the quality associated with new cars now? Also in those 2 circumstances that an independent mechanic told me they weren't needed the staff at Hyundai told me something different than what they had told me upon my first visit (often different than what was noted on my account by them?)

 From the sound of your comment/disbelief you own a Hyundai as well? Have you had any of these issues? Is my Elantra the exception? Isn't this even more reason for the dealer to take care of me?

 The reality is I want to love my Elantra soooo badly! But I just cannot continue to look past all my issues and treatment. What is also reality is that I am a naive person when it comes to cars and I don't enjoy confrontation so I may have not spoke up intelligently or aggressively enough?

[rrocket]

All the repairs out of pocket are "wear items".  No company would cover wear items under warranty unless it was explicitly part of the warranty.

And the "major" stuff you've had done when you went in for an oil change?  The dealer CAN NOT do those repairs unless you give them consent, which you clearly did.  What were these "major" repairs then found during an oil change??

[Erik]

Sorry to hear about the troubles you have had. Certainly sounds far and away too much for the amount you have driven. I'm thinking that some of the issue may be your Hyundai dealer. My experience with them has been limited, but certainly not positive.
I hope things do get better for you!
Good luck.

[Mike]

Honestly, since you said you were not mechanically inclined, if this is true

I think the larger issue is that every single time (literally every single time) I've taken my car in for a service (oil change, etc) I've needed a major non-warrantied repair. Is this the quality associated with new cars now? Also in those 2 circumstances that an independent mechanic told me they weren't needed the staff at Hyundai told me something different than what they had told me upon my first visit (often different than what was noted on my account by them?)

The dealer is taking advantage of you and flat out hosing you.  There may have been nothing wrong with your car......ever.  Start taking it somewhere else immediately.  The car I think is fine, the dealership experience on the other hand...

[ktm525]

Sounds 80/20 to you getting screwed.

Windshields are not the manufacturers problem. I live in Calgary and windshields have almost become a yearly replacement. The 3M is done by a sub contractor, perhaps they have left the building.

Brakes. Pad/rotor replacement is a wear item although if they fail real early thensomes the dealer will goodwill it.

The shocks are "shocking" Did you complain about ride? To replace at 30k kms is crazy. At this mileage should have been covered by manufacturer if truly defective.

Plugs: The dealer has screwed you on this one.

Tires: For standard all seasos this sounds low. Performance tires about normal. A set of OEM tires on my Volvo lasted 12k kms.

Alignments: Something is really wonky here. Do you experience pulling etc or do they just keep recomending work?

AS a guide: Only follow what is recommended by the car manual and ignore the dealer...

[EV Dan]

There is a manufacturer required maintenance schedule for every car. Once you follow it with a licensed mechanic of your choice you should be ok with any unexpected repairs under warranty. Then there is dealer recommended maintenance schedule with things like oil change every 3 mnth regardless the mileage and other such things, where the dealer's greed is the limit to what they will want to "fix".
I'd suggest you to find an independent knowledgeable and trustworthy mechanic and follow the manual.

P.S. I'm not sure if it is necessary to use OEM parts in order to keep the warranty, brake pads e.g.   Anyone? 

[articsteve]

Trade it for a 2011 Elantra.  Let us know what you get for the 2009. 

[Jaeger]

You're barking up the wrong tree.  You don't have a POS car.  You have a POS dealer.

Jaeger

[Turbo Bob]

How on earth can you moan about tire wear FFS?

You obviously know so little about cars that your dealer is taking you for a ride.

[gta_driver]

Here's my tip for complaining.

Are you on Facebook? If you are find the Hyundai Canada facebook page(make sure, its Canada and not the US or Korean page-they don't care) and detail your complaint. Be more factual then emotional, you need to tell a story (i.e detail your issues, with alignment, plugs, shocks and your disappointment with the warranty). I wouldn't mention brakes, rotors, windshields, 3M, tires, these are wear items and no manufacturer covers those. I would also mention the name of your dealer (and the service advisors name).

If Hyundai Canada is a company that truly values it's customers, they will reach out to you. This is the power of social media. Bad or good customer experiences, posted in the social media world get amplified and distributed effectively in the social media world. The impact on floor traffic through dealer doors is dramatic. Companies either bask in the glow or gloom. I work for an automaker that takes the social media place very, very seriously. Posted customer complaints are very bad for business. They tarnish the brand and drive sales down.

I would also post your experience on large Hyundai owners forums. From working in the auto industry, I know owner/enthusiast forums are read by marketing, PR, brand folks, dealers and even executives at all the automakers. Especially forums where there are a lot of members and lot of traffic.

[Bullet Blue]

Here's my tip for complaining.

Are you on Facebook? If you are find the Hyundai Canada facebook page(make sure, its Canada and not the US or Korean page-they don't care) and detail your complaint. Be more factual then emotional, you need to tell a story (i.e detail your issues, with alignment, plugs, shocks and your disappointment with the warranty). I wouldn't mention brakes, rotors, windshields, 3M, tires, these are wear items and no manufacturer covers those. I would also mention the name of your dealer (and the service advisors name).

If Hyundai Canada is a company that truly values it's customers, they will reach out to you. This is the power of social media. Bad or good customer experiences, posted in the social media world get amplified and distributed effectively in the social media world. The impact on floor traffic through dealer doors is dramatic. Companies either bask in the glow or gloom. I work for an automaker that takes the social media place very, very seriously. Posted customer complaints are very bad for business. They tarnish the brand and drive sales down.

I would also post your experience on large Hyundai owners forums. From working in the auto industry, I know owner/enthusiast forums are read by marketing, PR, brand folks, dealers and even executives at all the automakers. Especially forums where there are a lot of members and lot of traffic.

This is very true. I`ve noticed on Twitter that Hyundai more often than not responds to complaints from their customers and try to do ``everything they can`` to resolve the issue. Whether that actually happens or not, I have no idea, but at least it gets their attention.

[sixer]

Sorry to hear all your issues.  Your lucky you didn't have a part on backorder.  Hyundai is bad for this being Korean and all.  Quite common to be waiting for several days for a part to come in and then your out of luck with no car!

[airbalancer]

Here's my tip for complaining.

Are you on Facebook? If you are find the Hyundai Canada facebook page(make sure, its Canada and not the US or Korean page-they don't care) and detail your complaint. Be more factual then emotional, you need to tell a story (i.e detail your issues, with alignment, plugs, shocks and your disappointment with the warranty). I wouldn't mention brakes, rotors, windshields, 3M, tires, these are wear items and no manufacturer covers those. I would also mention the name of your dealer (and the service advisors name).

If Hyundai Canada is a company that truly values it's customers, they will reach out to you. This is the power of social media. Bad or good customer experiences, posted in the social media world get amplified and distributed effectively in the social media world. The impact on floor traffic through dealer doors is dramatic. Companies either bask in the glow or gloom. I work for an automaker that takes the social media place very, very seriously. Posted customer complaints are very bad for business. They tarnish the brand and drive sales down.

I would also post your experience on large Hyundai owners forums. From working in the auto industry, I know owner/enthusiast forums are read by marketing, PR, brand folks, dealers and even executives at all the automakers. Especially forums where there are a lot of members and lot of traffic.

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