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Hyundai - Engine Failure

Hyundai • Brakes • Stalling • Transmission • "Just Everything" • Airbags • Engine Failure • Fires • Sludge Problems --- News • Rusting Hyundai Sonatas Prompt Federal Probe • NHTSA Probes Hyundai Air Bag Failure • Hyundai to Tap U.S. Sport Sedan Market • Hyundai Drops Back Into Minivan Market • Hyundai Drops Out of Minivan Market • Airbag Problems Plague New Hyundais • Hyundai Offers $85 Million to Settle Horsepower Suit • Hyundai Aces J.D. Powers Survey • Horsepower Overstated

Patrice of Parkton MD (4/7/04):
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!

Michael of Frostburg MD (4/7/04):
Bought extended warranty on XG300 -- 10 years 100,000 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 Service dept.

Mr. Henry from the auto group said I should get the receipts for the oil changes. When I turned them in, he said I was a "LIAR" and that these receipts are not legit.

I had the engine replaced by a private mechanic. He 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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