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Hyundai Sludge Problems

Laurie of Levittown PA (8/30/04):
I bought a used 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe from Reedman in Langhorne PA in November 2003 for $12,000. It had 38k miles on it and came with the remainder of a 60k warranty. In July, the engine seized. Called Reedman, they looked it up in the computer and said it's still under factory warranty, so I took it to the local Hyundai shop for repairs. Hyundai told me that the warranty was voided when I bought it because the prior owners didn't keep up with the scheduled maintenance.

Went back to Reedman, they said it's not their problem -- the business was recently sold and is now called Reedman-Toll, and even though the same people work there they claim to have nothing to do with the old business. The VP even had the nerve to complain to me on the phone about how his company does not get all the profits from some cars they are selling because the autos belonged to the old company -- Reedman-Toll sent me back to Hyundai. Hyundai sent a rep out to look at the car, said the timing belt was shot and there is old sludge in the engine. Said the repair would cost $7,500 and they would "offer no assistance."

Back and forth with Reedman and Hyundai and still, neither will pay. Can't afford a lawyer, especially since I still have four years of payments left on my used car loan. Called Lemon Law, they won't help because I got my oil changes from a local garage and my receipts aren't computerized (said they believe me that I took care of the car, but don't think my receipts will stand up in court.)

I am begging rides to work every day and can't afford a new car because I'm still paying on the one that's broken down. Also, Hyundai charged me $93 to diagnose the problem, and I've paid twice to have it towed.

Michael of Frostburg MD (4/7/04):
Bought extended warrenty on XG 300. 10 years 100,000 warrenty bumper to bumper. At 99,200 the motor was using some oil. I called Apple Valley and explained my problem. They did not have a mechanic on duty that week (he was going to a training session.)I scheduled an appointment for the following week. Motor started to display a knocking noise and oil pressure light came on. Called roadside assistance they took the vehicle and started the car causing a total failure of the engine.

First they said it was the timing belt. They did all the major service on the car except oil changes in 2003. Then they said it was sludge build up from lack of oil service. I showed them the oil service records including an engine "flush" at 90,000 miles. The representative at Hyundai said the fact that I flushed the motor indicated there was a problem. I assured her that if I thought there was a problem with the engine that I would have been running to a Hyundai for Service dept.

I have a friend who owns a used car lot and performed the oil service. Mr. Henery from the Miller auto group said I should get the receipts for these oil changes. When I turned them in, he said I was a "LIAR" and that these were not legit receipts.

I had to pay for the removal of the car to a auto repair shop 160.00 towing. Pay for a $5,000.00 engine. I lost my car during my comprehensive exams (I am a student at George Washington University).

Footnote. The mechanic expressed concern about the old engine he is taking out. While he is not an expert on Hyundai, he said the engine was not vented properly causing a sludge buildup in the engine. Bottom line: my car was running but having problems when they took it away. They caused the engine failure by starting the engine dispite the fact that the oil light was on. They caused the "catastrophic failure."

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