my letter to Hyundai

[SVRACER01]

i dont know if ive mentioned this here (i think i have) but my girlfriends car has a safety recall of the subframe and control arms on her 01 Elantra. ive already replaced 1 control arm last year when it snapped off.
Hyundai claims they will reimburse us but i cant get through to them to find out how to get my $900. anyway...heres my letter to Hyundai....




I would also like to take this opportunity to express my immense displeasure in this whole situation.
I have tried for several weeks to get through on the toll free phone number provided only to be put on hold for an hour or more before I give up having never spoken to anyone. I've tried going directly to the dealership but they have no info. You would think that providing your dealerships with a simple reimbursement form and some instructions on how to go about would be the easiest way of going about it but instead you make us call a useless toll free number.
Last September my girlfriend exited the highway and while turning into a gas station the left control arm snapped off. After paying about $900 to get it fixed we receive a letter from Hyundai 6 months later about a recall of the same part plus the subframe.
We follow the instructions of Hyundai and bring it to Somersworth Hyundai for the inspection and they conclude that it needs a new subframe and control arm(s) BUT the subframe is on back order. How is it that you're going to do recall and then not have the parts available to correct the recall? I also am quite disappointed in the lack of concern for the safety of your customers by not providing a rental car. Now my girlfriend has to drive a potentially UNSAFE vehicle to and from work and school 6 days a week on the highway while we wait for the backorderd part to arrive, which by the way has been over a month...almost 2. Everday I am concerned for her safety in that vehicle. I hate to think what would happen if the other control arm failed while she was traveling at 65 MPH on the highway in a vehicle that Hyundai left her no choice BUT to drive it due to the shear unpreparedness of Hyundai to have enough parts to satisfy the recall.

PLEASE send me any form or info needed to submit a claim for the reimbursement of the $900 I have already spent to fix YOUR problem.
I DO NOT want to wait 8 weeks to get the money that I am owed by Hyundai so please put a rush on it. I think I've waited for Hyundai long enough to remedy problems.

Signed,
Proud Dodge Owner,
Brian Oxx
and Future Toyota Owner
Amanda Cullen

[Sportygurl131]

love the ending!

[imkindafkedup]

I was unaware of any of these problems about Hyundai. I'm surprised nothing has yet been mentioned to the media about it. Your figure safety recalls are always blown out of proportion in the media. Maybe the next step would be some emails to the major news company's.

Good luck getting reimbursed in a timely manner, sucks to go through it I bet.

[Trouble]

You may have wanted to say "a Future Honda owner", whether or not it was true. Toyota has had a few recall issues as of recent.

[SVRACER01]

theres also no mention of it on their website either. i can find the Sonata door hinge recall but nothing about the Elantra/Tiburon recall

[SVRACER01]

You may have wanted to say "a Future Honda owner", whether or not it was true. Toyota has had a few recall issues as of recent.

that was the point. toyota had problems, made them public, and have done everything they can to fix the problems...like giving 150% of KBB for Tacos

[imkindafkedup]

you'd figure with all the fines toyota has had about not recalling and repairing things quickly enough they'd have made an example that hyundai wouldn't want to follow.

[naked-daytrader]

I counted 2 run on sentences in there and I just skimmed the letter, I'm sure if I really delved into it deeper I could find more errors.


C-

[R7]

Don't expect results with that letter

File a claim with the BBB and if you're entitled the money, you'll get it as quick as the law allows.

[SVRACER01]

the top of the letter included info that they wanted about the car.i put in the letter at the bottom just because i cant yell at anyone on the phone. i left that out of the NESR version.

[idratherberidin]

Dear customer,

당신은 바보 roundeye! 꺼져! 우리는 당신의 문제에 대한 관심도니까. 웃음 주셔서 감사합니다! 우리가 그만 웃음으로 우리가 바로 귀하의 요청에 최대한 빨리거야!

[SVRACER01]

[RandyO]

Don't expect results with that letter

File a claim with the BBB and if you're entitled the money, you'll get it as quick as the law allows.

BBB is a joke, it is only voluntary compliance

[The Magician]

when did you hear about the recall? i had my car serviced for the recall like 4- 5 months ago... they were moving them in and out pretty quickly.

rental car... well its not a lexus. it's a budget vehicle really... if you want the complete service including rental cars, prices of the cars go up. it's a decent trade-off.

Unfortunately, your dealer is the source of your problem. Hyundai gives the same information to all dealers.. i don't know why your dealer couldn't help you but mine was more than helpful for not only my car but others I know as well.

if you don't feel safe driving the car.. don't drive it and figure out a way around it. it may be a hassle.. but if it's worth your safety you will figure out a way. knowing the parts are bad and still driving is negligence in case something happens.. whether hyundai had the parts or not.

[cdseven95]

I do some work for Sommerworth Hyundai and they and other Hyundai dealers all have a stacks of rotted sub frames out back.... Its multiple car models in there line including Sonatas.. I don't think they mail out anything but wait till you come in for an oil change or whatever then inspect for rot. Id still buy a new style Sonata over a Camry any day.

[Ecooke21]

if you don't feel safe driving the car.. don't drive it and figure out a way around it. it may be a hassle.. but if it's worth your safety you will figure out a way. knowing the parts are bad and still driving is negligence in case something happens.. whether hyundai had the parts or not.

Took the words out of my mouth... IF your girlfriend crashes(hopefully she doesnt) it will be no fault but hers .. if you know its unsafe, you shouldn't drive it! period. i know it would be a hassle but thats what it would take to assure she drives in a safe vehicle...

good luck

[ilikenapalm]

He already got it fixed. Now he wants reimbursement.

[The Magician]

He already got it fixed. Now he wants reimbursement.

no, he fixed the one control arm.. although who charged you $900 to replace a control arm in the first place? that's a pretty outrageous price! but yeah.. still needs the subframe replaced and other control arm at least.

problem was with the cars in the salt belt... i.e. illinois, indiana, michigan, pa, ohio, ny, nj, ct, ma, ri, me, etc.

and hyundai definitely mailed something out. i got it

Recall Reason SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
Recall Date APR 16, 2009
Model Affected ELANTRA
Potential Units Affected 160904


Recall Summary
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.


Consequence
THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.


Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.


Notes
HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC 091

http://www.internetautoguide.com/aut...tra/index.html

[SVRACER01]

ya, i got the letter at the end of march and made an appt that day with SH. first avail day was first week of April.
SH said the parts needed to be replaced but were on back order but told me that the vehicle was safe to drive.
when a control arm snaps off while the vehicle is moving...it causes a lot of damage.
due to CA failure we had to fix/replace:
front rotor (2)-$96
front pads- $40
CV shaft-$120
control arm-$177
sway bar-$60
and it needed an alignment$70
parts come to $563 add $329 ($70 p/hr) in labor and it comes to $892

i would love for her to be driving something else but i can magically produce a car. our schedules dont really allow us to share a vehicle. ive asked SH numerous times for a rental but they say HNA wont authorize it and since i cant get through on the phone i cant ask anyone at HNA to authorize it.

[Tricky Mike]

like giving $150 to KB for Tacos

Low blow!

[SVRACER01]

no, he fixed the one control arm.. although who charged you $900 to replace a control arm in the first place? that's a pretty outrageous price! but yeah.. still needs the subframe replaced and other control arm at least.

problem was with the cars in the salt belt... i.e. illinois, indiana, michigan, pa, ohio, ny, nj, ct, ma, ri, me, etc.

and hyundai definitely mailed something out. i got it

Recall Reason SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
Recall Date APR 16, 2009
Model Affected ELANTRA
Potential Units Affected 160904


Recall Summary
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.


Consequence
THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.


Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.


Notes
HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC 091

http://www.internetautoguide.com/aut...tra/index.html

i just realized your recall letter came to you 1 year before i got mine.

[The Magician]

ya, i got the letter at the end of march and made an appt that day with SH. first avail day was first week of April.
SH said the parts needed to be replaced but were on back order but told me that the vehicle was safe to drive.
when a control arm snaps off while the vehicle is moving...it causes a lot of damage.
due to CA failure we had to fix/replace:
front rotor (2)-$96
front pads- $40
CV shaft-$120
control arm-$177
sway bar-$60
and it needed an alignment$70
parts come to $563 add $329 ($70 p/hr) in labor and it comes to $892

i would love for her to be driving something else but i can magically produce a car. our schedules dont really allow us to share a vehicle. ive asked SH numerous times for a rental but they say HNA wont authorize it and since i cant get through on the phone i cant ask anyone at HNA to authorize it.

do you still have the old parts? may help you prove your case and get some $ back. Control arms can fail for more than 1 reason... so if you have the old parts and can prove it snapped due to corrosion, you have a case.

[SVRACER01]

no i dont, it happened 6+ months ago. at the time i never thought it would be a recall thing i just figured it was because it had 240k on it

[The Magician]

no i dont, it happened 6+ months ago. at the time i never thought it would be a recall thing i just figured it was because it had 240k on it

yeah... I'd say you have a better chance if you had the parts... now this is just a good faith effort on their part. I dunno.

240k eh? Nice. I'm going to roll 160k on my 03 later today I bet.

[SVRACER01]

it used to be my moms. she commuted to Boston from Rochester NH in it.
funny story here:
then one day she calls me and asks me if i want it.
"whats wrong with it " i ask
"it needs a transmission"
"are you sure"
"ya, somersworth Hyundai said they dont repair tannys they just replace them"
"whats it doing?"
"it wont shift into park so you have to start it in N"
"ok, ill have my buddy look at it"
"i already bought a new car"
"a new car?"
"ya, the tranny alone is like $2500 so i figured id just get a new car"
'ok, ill come by and grab it when i get a chance"

so i ask my buddy who works a tranny shop to look at it and he says:
"no prob, what kind of car is it?"
"its a hyundai"
"fuck that im not touching it"
" what do you mean?"
"you cant fix those, you have to replace them"
"cant you just look at it?"
"fine, but if i have to take it apart to fix it then im not doing it"
"fair enough, ill drop it off tomorrow"

i drop off the car, show him whats wrong and he says hell call me
2 days later he calls:
"cars done"
"really?"
"yup"
"is it fixed?"
"like new"
what was wrong with it?"
"i used a whole can of WD40 on the cable and linkage and adjusted it"
"and that worked?"
"like a charm"
"it shifts good now?"
"ya man, i told you its fixed"
"cool, what do i owe you?"
"grab me a 30 pack of Bud lite"
"sounds good ill be by later"
sure enough it worked perfect, so i called my mom

"hey thanks for the car"
"why do you say that? is it junk?"
"nope, works great"
"what was wrong with it?"
"linkage and cable needed adjusting and lubed, cost me a 30 pack of beer"
"MOTHER FUCKER!!!"
"LOL"

weve had it for like 3 years now