Hyundai - Engine Failure

My check engine light came on for the 2nd time in 2 & 1/2 months. I took it to the dealership and they told me it was not covered under my extended warranty, which make no sense to me. They said this is because I was not the original owner, since I bought it used & bought the extended warranty, it was not covered. I have spent more time at the dealership whether it was in Illinois or Colorado than I have with any other car that I have owned. The total cost is $119.47.

The timing belt went out on my 2008 Hyundai Accent with just over 63,000 miles, just over the 60,000 warranty. But that's not the worst of it. The dealership where I had it towed told me that I have a cracked cylinder head also. So here I am 600 miles away with a 'loaner' because they couldn't fix it then. That was last week!

I called Hyundai, but they say it is out of warranty. I have had other vehicles with lots more miles that needed a timing belt replaced, but nothing that affected the engine like this.

I own a 2004 Hyundai Elantra. My engine/Powertrain warranty is 10 years/100,000 miles. As you can see, my car engine is covered until 2014. Also, my car has only 39,000 miles on it. I service it every 3000 miles and take really good care of the vehicle both inside and out.

On Sunday, October 16th 2011, we were driving home from Wildwood, NJ when the nightmare began. According to Hyundai, the engine thermostat broke which in turn overheated the radiator; which in turn overheated the engine, causing engine damage. This whole process took only moments and before we could react, the car died and shut-off in the middle of Route 55! Since the car would not start, we had the car towed to Turnersville Hyundai which was the closest to us.

We were prepared for some repairs but nothing related to our engine. We assumed that if any engine damage did exist, it would be covered under the 10-year warranty under which we have 100% engine protection not according to Hyundai. So the next day, Hyundai told us that they would not repair the engine even though it is under warranty. The reason they could not repair it is labeled "consumer neglect." They said that we ran the car with the engine hot so it was our fault that it died. We had no idea all this was going to occur because our car never had a problem. If we were aware that the car was overheating we certainly would stop and turn the car off.

We are currently trying to resolve this issue but Hyundai will not honor their warranty. For us to repair the car on our own will be at least $1000.00 to start and we cannot afford that. What is it to Hyundai (a multi-trillion dollar company) to put either new parts or a new engine in our car. Oh, by the way, this is the forth Hyundai I bought over the years. I don't think I will be buying another one anytime soon. Please help! They won't help me now, I'm stuck with a car

While driving at 70 miles an hour on I-87 using cruise control, the car jerked, check engine light came on and the car completely stopped accelerating. There was no response when pressing the gas pedal. Luckily, we were near an exit. We were not rear ended by a truck and were able shift lanes and to roll off and put our hazard lights on. On the exit, the car came to a dead stop. After checking the engine, we turned it off and the car started back up. And we were able to drive to a local service station concerned about driving any farther. The mechanic was able to determine there was an error code related to the throttle control. On restarting the car, the engine lights reset and the car ran normally.

We continued on our trip. When we returned home, we brought the car to the Hyundai dealer where it was purchased to service the car. After they examined the car, we were told there was nothing they could do as there were no error codes in memory. They said that we should continue to drive it until it happened again. When I mentioned that there was a technical service bulletin regarding the throttle sensor and it should be either replaced or tested, I was told that they could not do anything until an error was recorded in the memory of the computer. It was because Hyundai USA would not cover anything under warranty, even though this was a serious safety concern and would most likely to occur again. When I asked if it was likely to occur again, I was told most likely it would happen soon and to be careful.

A month later, when traveling on a long trip, it happened again on the Taconic State Parkway in New York. I was traveling at about 65 miles per hour. This time there was no shoulder. But I was able to partially pull off the road and put on my hazard lights as cars drove by and avoided hitting mine. Based on my prior experience, I turned the car off and was able to restart and move again. This same situation occurred four (4) more times as I was able to get my car finally back home to the Hyundai dealer to service the car.

The Hyundai dealer replaced both the throttle sensor and the pedal assembly. The car appears to be working properly for the last two weeks. Having researched the problem with acceleration, I have learned that many others have experienced this similar and potentially dangerous problem. After speaking with other Hyundai service technicians, I was told off the record that this was not an uncommon problem. As the sensor is less than $85, I am not sure why Hyundai did not address this problem when I first brought the car or as a recall. The consequences could be much more serious.

In June 2011, I bought a Hyundai Elantra 3-year warranty. I was excited because it is just what I wanted. However, several problems started to occur. First, the indicator switch had to be replaced within the first 2 weeks. Second, after six months, we experienced screeching noises. I took it to a local dealer on various occasions. They replaced the break calliper and brake pads etc. but the noise still persisted. My husband said it was a release bearing but they did not agree. I took it to Johannesburg and after ten days, they agreed that it was the release bearing, which they replaced just before the warranty expired. This process took over a year.

Third problem was the indicator switch was faulty again and it had to be replaced again. After the warranty expired, it had a knock in the engine, which they diagnosed as a valve lifter. We paid over R4,000 to have these replaced. The day we collected the car from the garage, there was an explosion, during which, 6 cars were burnt out, fortunately, mine was in the wash bay. There still was a noise in the engine. Two weeks later, when they had a temporary workshop, they gave me a quote for a further R15,000 for replacement of Chain Guide A & B, Timing Chain, Chain Tensioner, Oil Pump etc. The even quoted for replacement of boot latch (very noisy boot) and still have to replace indicator switch.

I am so disappointed. Everyone who I have been in contact with regarding the car has admitted that this should not be happening to a car that (at that stage) only had 60000 km on the clock, now R72750. None of the Elantra cars in Kimberley have similar problems. I spoke to a few of the owners personally. All I am asking for is a normal sounding car. I am embarrassed when people ask me why the car is so noisy, even my lady friends who do not have a clue anything about cars, are concerned.

I am now waiting for them to repair the car and the parts have been ordered. They cannot carry out the repairs, as they are waiting for a part, which was shipped to SA and is taking forever. It was ordered weeks ago and their words are that it is taking so long because they have never needed to order a part of this nature before. My husband is a pensioner and does not drive like a maniac. He is a very careful driver.

I am not a difficult person but I am so disillusioned. I love the Hyundai product and bought an Atos for my daughter years ago. She loves her car and never has any problems. To me, the Elantra we bought was a dud. The outside looks good but it is bad on the inside. I could write a book but am only focusing on the most important. We do not have the funds to buy a new car and we bought the car for R160,000 and the book value is now only R71,000.

I implore you to attend to this complaint and not just ignore it. I am sure that if you were in my place you would feel the same. I have spoken to consumer services on numerous occasions but to no avail.

I am very disappointed in Hyundai. My 2003 Hyundai Santa F has been running great and all of a sudden on my way to work, it sputtered and stalled out. It did start back up but as soon as I try to give a little gas, it would die. No knocking, rattling or anything. I had it towed to a Hyundai dealership, which is an hour away and they called me to tell me that the lower engine bearings were gone. I have called and emailed Hyundai USA and their warranty is not what it claims to be. I cannot afford to put $5700 in the car.

The Hyundai dealership told me that it had 94000 miles on it when I called them to check my mileage to call USA. When it got to another garage, I looked at the odometer it only has 92700 miles which is even lower than I thought. The motor is now knocking, which it wasn't before it went to the Hyundai dealership and sparks were coming off the wires, which were loose and not reconnected.

Everyone I spoke with said that it should have been under warranty and that it should have been a transferable warranty. Hyundai offers ten year, 100000 mile warrenty and that should be it. During the one phone call I received, I was told from one of the Hyundai representatives that Hyundai does stand behind its cars. She also said that they would research the issue and call the garage to see what can be done which they never even called.

I have taken great care of my car with regular oil changes, clean gas and regular maintenance and I bought it from a friend who also took great care of it.

This is ridiculous.

I went to my local Hyundai dealer for a new brake light and when I entered the shop was told by the manager that my car was making a noise that indicated I was having engine trouble. I did not know what he was talking about but he lifted the hood, checked the oil and told me there was no oil in the car!

My husband put oil in the car several weeks earlier and no oil light came on but I was told the engine was damaged and needed over $600.00 in repairs. I bought the car new in 2001 and it has 38,000 miles on it. My husband called Hyundai to see if they would honor the warranty and was verbally abused and insulted. They insisted the car had no oil in it and it was my fault there was damage to the engine.

They may say they have a great warranty but try to use it and get burned!