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Hyundai Fires

Kenneth of Yonkers NY (12/14/04):
My 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe was parked and unattended when the car ignited into flames. A witness saw the fire begin in the hood of the car. According to the Fire Department Incident Report, there was no crime or arson. Instead it clearly says that the cause of ignition was accidental. It was explained to me that there was a malfunction in the engine due to manufacturer. This was the responsiblity of Hyundai.

Hyundai did not want to take responsibitly to for the malfunction in the engine. Geico's claim department notified me that my car was declared a total loss. The investigator clearly stated that this accident was not due to my actions. They also said that I was lucky that I was not in the car or I could have been in a serious accident or burned in the fire. Hyundai did not want to help me with this matter. I still have a loan out on the car. My car was still under 60,000 miles and I had full warranty. Geico has settled for a small amount of money. All I wanted was another car. I would have been happy with a used car to replace the car which went up in flames due to Hyundai's poor manufacturing.

I have been unfortunate because I was without a car for a long period of time. During that time, I was unable to commute back and forth to work. I am paying insurance for the car, even though Geico considered the car a total loss. All I want is a replacement of my car.

Steven of Chicago (2/12/04):
My 2001 Accent with only 30,000 miles caught fire while I was warming it up in front of my house. The fire department, ambulance, and police were all called. Insurance investigators determined the muffler overheated and defective shields caused fire to be sucked into the interior of the car when I opened the door to escape.

Car is melted. Called Hyundai for them to further investigate problem for potential safety issue (as well as to assume some liability). Told to write a letter to consumer affairs and if deemed necessary, they would get back to me. Pushed further to speak to supervisor, made contact. Now they don't return my calls. Still pursuing.

Expected to have a car to last me 10 years with the 12,000 annual mileage I accrued. Will end up with a $5,000 loss and no car.

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