FaultScore report
Owners have filed 82 complaints about the 1997 Hyundai Accent with NHTSA between 1997 and 2011. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 21 of 28 worst.
FaultScore 51/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Hyundai Accent.
How this is worked out82
Complaints
9
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
73,900 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 73,900 miles
Median failure at 73,900 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 135,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 65,000 mi
Median failure at 107,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FUEL TANK CRACKING
PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED
PASSENGER AIR BAG RELATED FATALITIES
ODI IS AWARE OF SEVEN FATALITIES OF CHILDREN (EXCLUDING CHILDREN IN REAR FACING CHILD SAFETY SEATS)THAT WERE CAUSED BY THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN MINOR OR MODERATE SEVERITY CRASHES INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 HYUNDAI ACCENT VEHICLES.TWO OF THE SEVEN FATALITIES OCCURRED IN PUERTO RICO.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS FORFURTHER INVESTIGATION.
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING "SALT BELT" STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. DURING WINTER MONTHS, THE ROAD SALT USED TO DE-ICE ROADS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION THAT CAUSES PITS TO FORM ON THE LOWER COIL OF THE FRONT SPRINGS ALLOWING CRACKS TO DEVELOP. THIS CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE LOWER SPRING COIL.
Risk: IF THE FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKS, IT CAN BECOME DISPLACED FROM ITS SEATED POSITION, AND CAN CONTACT A TIRE. TIRE DAMAGE CAN RESULT.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WERE CONTAMINATED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Risk: THIS CONTAMINATION INTERFERES WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENTS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Suspension
On certain vehicles, road de-icing salt used during winter months may result in corrosion of the lower plate or the front lower control arm. Corrosion may proceed to the point where the lower plate becomes perforated and the front lower control arm fractures between its forward and rearward pivot attachments to the chassis. If the front lower control arm fractures, the wheel assembly may be allowed to move rearward in the wheel well opening during braking. Reduced control of the front wheel location may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealer will replace the front lower control arm.
Suspension
On certain vehicles, corrosion from winter road salt may cause pits to form on the lower coil of the front springs. These pits may allow cracks to develop, which can result in the breakage of the lower spring coil. If the front coil spring breaks, it may become displaced from its seated position and cause damage to a tire which in turn could result in loss of vehicle control. Correction: A spring guide will be installed which will prevent a broken coil from contacting and damaging a tire.
Visual System
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH SOLDERING FLUX. THIS CONTAMINATION COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTINUITY AND PREVENT THE WIPER MOTOR FROM OPERATING. INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHICH MAY IN TURN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: CONTAMINANTS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER CONTACTS.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. ALSO, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GUIDING ARM WAS VERY WEAK. THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10101835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. ALSO, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GUIDING ARM WAS VERY WEAK. THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10101835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE STOPPING, WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND PUSHED FORWARD, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER INJURED AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8005082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOAD. ALSO, THERE WAS A GASOLINE SMELL AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #880280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOAD. ALSO, THERE WAS A GASOLINE SMELL AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #880280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
ON OR ABOUT MARCH 4, 2000, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, AT WHICH TIME THE DRIVER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH. BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SOON THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. AFTER TAKING TO FARRISH IN MANASSAS, VIRGINIA, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE COMPUTER INDICATED THAT I THE ENGINE WAS OUT OF TIME. THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AND DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. I WAS THEN TOLD I NEEDED A TUNE-UP, WHICH WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DONE AND DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM, WHICH LEADS TO MY BELIEF THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CAR NOW HEATS AND GETS HOT TO THE TOUCH AT THE FLOOR BOARD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND HAS FAILED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. I PLAN TOMORROW TO REVOKE MY ACCEPTANCE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #732192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES ON ALL FOUR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE WERE DETACHING. THE DRIVER SIDE DOORS AND LATCHES WERE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10406193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DEAR SIR I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THE SURPRISING ISSUE IN FRONT OF YOU RELATED TO HYUNDAI ACCENT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW. I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE 401 EAST HIGHWAY, ONTARIO, CANADA ON 16TH DECEMBER 2007 AT 2.35 P.M. MY WIFE AND MY LITTLE ONE AND A HALF YEAR DAUGHTER WERE ALSO ACCOMPANYING ME. I WAS COMING FROM WINDSOR AND HEADING TOWARDS TORONTO. SUDDENLY THE AIR BAG OF THE DRIVER SEAT BLEW UP WITHOUT ANY COLLISION OF MY CAR WITH ANY THING. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH THAT I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE AND MANAGED TO BRING MY CAR OUT OF THE DRIVING LANE. DUE TO ALMIGHTY'S GRACE NO CAR WAS FOLLOWING ME OTHERWISE THAT WOULD HAVE LEAD TO A DISASTER. I WAS AMAZED TO SEE THIS IN FRONT OF MY EYES THAT HOW COULD AIRBAG OF THE CAR BLEW UP WITHOUT ANY COLLISION. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS WOULD HAVE SURPRISED YOU TOO THAT HOW COULD YOU MANUFACTURE SUCH A DREADFUL VEHICLE IN WHICH THE PARTS ACTIVATE AT THE WRONG TIME AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS INSTEAD OF ACTIVATING FOR THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS. I AM THANKFUL TO 911 EMERGENCY THAT THEY CAME ON TIME AND TOOK US OUT OF THE SITUATION AND WE MANAGED TO REACH BACK HOME SAFELY. I IMPRESS UPON YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I AM ALSO INTERESTED TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS AND LEGAL DEPARTMENTS WHICH HAVE AUTHORIZED YOU TO MANUFACTURE CARS WITHOUT TAKING THESE THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION AND THE PASSENGERS HAVE TO PUT THERE LIVES ON RISK DUE TO YOUR SHEER NEGLIGENCE. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COMPENSATE ME FOR ALL THE HASSLES AND RISK OF LIFE MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND PROVIDE ME WITH OTHER CAR WHICH IS FULLY CHECKED. I SPOKE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE MS. MITCHEL AT THE HYUNDAI AMERICA NO. SHE HAS REGISTERED THIS SERIOUS ISSUE AND ASSIGNED CLAIM NO. 3182613. I WOULD LIKE THIS MAIL TO BE FORWARDED TO THE CONCERNED PERSON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEY CAN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. THANKS AND REGARDS RAJAN MALHOTRA
NHTSA complaint #10212307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
DEAR SIR I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THE SURPRISING ISSUE IN FRONT OF YOU RELATED TO HYUNDAI ACCENT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW. I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE 401 EAST HIGHWAY, ONTARIO, CANADA ON 16TH DECEMBER 2007 AT 2.35 P.M. MY WIFE AND MY LITTLE ONE AND A HALF YEAR DAUGHTER WERE ALSO ACCOMPANYING ME. I WAS COMING FROM WINDSOR AND HEADING TOWARDS TORONTO. SUDDENLY THE AIR BAG OF THE DRIVER SEAT BLEW UP WITHOUT ANY COLLISION OF MY CAR WITH ANY THING. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH THAT I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE AND MANAGED TO BRING MY CAR OUT OF THE DRIVING LANE. DUE TO ALMIGHTY'S GRACE NO CAR WAS FOLLOWING ME OTHERWISE THAT WOULD HAVE LEAD TO A DISASTER. I WAS AMAZED TO SEE THIS IN FRONT OF MY EYES THAT HOW COULD AIRBAG OF THE CAR BLEW UP WITHOUT ANY COLLISION. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS WOULD HAVE SURPRISED YOU TOO THAT HOW COULD YOU MANUFACTURE SUCH A DREADFUL VEHICLE IN WHICH THE PARTS ACTIVATE AT THE WRONG TIME AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS INSTEAD OF ACTIVATING FOR THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS. I AM THANKFUL TO 911 EMERGENCY THAT THEY CAME ON TIME AND TOOK US OUT OF THE SITUATION AND WE MANAGED TO REACH BACK HOME SAFELY. I IMPRESS UPON YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I AM ALSO INTERESTED TO BRING THIS ISSUE TO OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS AND LEGAL DEPARTMENTS WHICH HAVE AUTHORIZED YOU TO MANUFACTURE CARS WITHOUT TAKING THESE THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION AND THE PASSENGERS HAVE TO PUT THERE LIVES ON RISK DUE TO YOUR SHEER NEGLIGENCE. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COMPENSATE ME FOR ALL THE HASSLES AND RISK OF LIFE MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND PROVIDE ME WITH OTHER CAR WHICH IS FULLY CHECKED. I SPOKE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE MS. MITCHEL AT THE HYUNDAI AMERICA NO. SHE HAS REGISTERED THIS SERIOUS ISSUE AND ASSIGNED CLAIM NO. 3182613. I WOULD LIKE THIS MAIL TO BE FORWARDED TO THE CONCERNED PERSON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEY CAN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. THANKS AND REGARDS RAJAN MALHOTRA
NHTSA complaint #10212307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE HITTING ROTOR CRACKING THE ROTOR REPLACED ALL AFFECTED PARTS AT OUR OWN EXPENSE REPLACED COIL SPRING,ROTOR,BRAKE PADS. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS VEHICLE NOT IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS REGISTERED IN THE EFFECTED AREA OF THE RECALL THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LED TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10199394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE HITTING ROTOR CRACKING THE ROTOR REPLACED ALL AFFECTED PARTS AT OUR OWN EXPENSE REPLACED COIL SPRING,ROTOR,BRAKE PADS. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS VEHICLE NOT IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS REGISTERED IN THE EFFECTED AREA OF THE RECALL THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LED TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10199394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE HITTING ROTOR CRACKING THE ROTOR REPLACED ALL AFFECTED PARTS AT OUR OWN EXPENSE REPLACED COIL SPRING,ROTOR,BRAKE PADS. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS VEHICLE NOT IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS REGISTERED IN THE EFFECTED AREA OF THE RECALL THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LED TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10199394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE SMELL OF FUEL PROMPTED THE CONSUMER TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER SINCE THERE WAS A FUEL TANK RECALL. CONSUMER LOCATED A CRACK ON THE FUEL TANK. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL 00V314000.
NHTSA complaint #10103241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. ALSO, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GUIDING ARM WAS VERY WEAK. THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10101835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. ALSO, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GUIDING ARM WAS VERY WEAK. THIS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10101835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10048246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY CAUSE PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OR NONE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10026636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR WAS RETURNED TO HYUNDAI UNDER WARRANTY IN JANUARY 2002. REPORTED TO HAVE A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER AND STARTER. BOTH REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. LAST WEEK CAR WOULDNT START AGAIN. OUR MECHANIC DIAGNOSED SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT IF CAR HAD BEEN PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AS HAVING EXTENSIVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED AND NOT PATCHED UP. HYUNDAI IS NOW REFUSING TO ABSORB COST SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. TORQUE CONVERTERS AND STARTERS DONT GO BAD YEARLY!!! HELP!!
NHTSA complaint #10013897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY JERK AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND WILL STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE PARTS THAT BROKE WERE ON THE SWAY BAR WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE CONTROL ARM.
NHTSA complaint #763387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE STOPPING, WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND PUSHED FORWARD, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER INJURED AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8005082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8003447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #899751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT COIL SPRING HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAITON.
NHTSA complaint #896174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #748071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE WILL TURN OVER BUT NOT START THIS HAPPENS SEV TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #747193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FOR THE PC SYSTEM PROBLEM, I HAD NOTICED THAT THE PC VALVE WAS LEAKING OIL AROUND IT, SO I REPLACED THE COMPONENT ON MAY 12,2000. BY DECEMBER, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR HAD SOME SORT OF PROBLEM WITH A NOTED DROP IN PERFORMANCE AND FUEL ECONOMY. SO I DECIDED, BEFORE BRINGING THE CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE, TO VISUALLY CHECK THE FLUIDS, AND WEAR COMPONENTS. I ENDED UP FINDING SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE, CREATED BY WATER IN THE OIL. WHEN DODGE/HYUNDAI OF PARAMUS CHECKED-OUT THE CAR THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS A CLOGGED PC SYSTEM AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANY, SO I PAID FOR THE WORK. FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I NOTICED THAT IT WAS LEAKING, AND WHEN THE DEALER IN PARAMUS CHECKED-OUT THE PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME THAT SOMEONE HAD OVER-TORQUED THE OIL PAN, BLOWING OUT THE GASKET. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE WARRANTEED BY ALTMAN IN N.CHARLESTON, SINCE THEY DID THE 30K CHECK-UP. WHEN I INFORMED ALTMAN, THEY TOLD ME THAT PARAMUS SHOULD HAVE DONE THE WORK AS WARRANTEED. SO, MIKE AT ALTMAN TOLD ME I WOULD RECEIVE A REFUND, BUT I NEVER DID, AND MIKE DOEN'T WORK THERE ANYMORE, AND NO ONE ELSE KNOWS ANYTHING. I TALKED TO HYUN. MOTOR AMER. CUST. SERVICE, AND I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A CALL BACK. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS IF EITHER OF THESE IS COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND IF SO WHAT THEN?
NHTSA complaint #744895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
WE WERE LEAVING FOR VACATION IN NEW JERSEY, DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-26, AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, JUST EAST OF THE ST. GEORGE EXIT. WHEN THE SOUND OF AIR RUSHING INTO THE CAR BECAME APPARENT. THE SUN ROOF PREVIOUSLY UNOPENED THAT DAY, STARTED SHAKING, AND FLIPPED BACKWARDS DENTING THE ROOF. THE REAR CATCH BROKE OFF AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY THEN FLEW OFF INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WHICH NARROWLY AVOIDED THE ROOF ASSEMBLY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AS DID WE. THEY TOLD US THEY WERE ALRIGHT AND WE ALL THANKED GOD THEN THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY. IT WAS RATHER LATE IN THE EVENING BUT WE DECIDED TO GO TO THE DEALER ANYWAY. THE GENERAL MANAGER TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO AND TO COME BACK WHEN SERVICE WAS OPEN, THE NEXT MORNING. WE THEN WENT HOME AND CALLED LOCAL POLICE. THEY CALLED THE STATE POLICE, WHO INFORMED US THAT IT WAS A "FREAK-ACCIDENT" AND TO TALK TO THE DEALER AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. ON SATURDAY WE WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, JASON, TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO UNTIL MONDAY, WHEN THEY WOULD CHECK FOR A DEFECT. IN THE MEANTIME, HE OBTAINED A RENTAL CAR FROM ENTERPRISE TO CONTINUE OUR TRIP, AND FILED THE CLAIM AS A WARRANTY PROBLEM. UPON TAKING THE CAR HOME WE FOUND THAT THE RENTAL CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO INOPERABLE SIDE MIRRORS, SO WE TOOK OUR OTHER CAR. WE CALLED FROM NEW JERSEY ON MONDAY, BUT JASON WAS NOT IN AND NO ONE ELSE KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE HIM CALL. JASON CALLED THURSDAY TO INFORM US THAT THERE IS NO DEFECT AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT WARRANTEED. HE ALSO SAID THAT WE MUST RETURN THE RENTAL CAR BECAUSE THE COST WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE DEALER SINCE IT IS NEITHER A DEFECT NOR UNDER WARRANTY. JASON TOLD US TO REPLACE THE MOON ROOF THE JOB WOULD COST APPROX. $1500+, NOT INCLUDING SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. WE THEN CALLED HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE REP. TOLD US THAT IT COULD BE COVERED AS GOOD-WILL, WITH RENTAL ASSIST.
NHTSA complaint #744893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
FOR THE PC SYSTEM PROBLEM, I HAD NOTICED THAT THE PC VALVE WAS LEAKING OIL AROUND IT, SO I REPLACED THE COMPONENT ON MAY 12,2000. BY DECEMBER, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR HAD SOME SORT OF PROBLEM WITH A NOTED DROP IN PERFORMANCE AND FUEL ECONOMY. SO I DECIDED, BEFORE BRINGING THE CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE, TO VISUALLY CHECK THE FLUIDS, AND WEAR COMPONENTS. I ENDED UP FINDING SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE, CREATED BY WATER IN THE OIL. WHEN DODGE/HYUNDAI OF PARAMUS CHECKED-OUT THE CAR THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS A CLOGGED PC SYSTEM AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANY, SO I PAID FOR THE WORK. FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I NOTICED THAT IT WAS LEAKING, AND WHEN THE DEALER IN PARAMUS CHECKED-OUT THE PROBLEM, THEY TOLD ME THAT SOMEONE HAD OVER-TORQUED THE OIL PAN, BLOWING OUT THE GASKET. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE WARRANTEED BY ALTMAN IN N.CHARLESTON, SINCE THEY DID THE 30K CHECK-UP. WHEN I INFORMED ALTMAN, THEY TOLD ME THAT PARAMUS SHOULD HAVE DONE THE WORK AS WARRANTEED. SO, MIKE AT ALTMAN TOLD ME I WOULD RECEIVE A REFUND, BUT I NEVER DID, AND MIKE DOEN'T WORK THERE ANYMORE, AND NO ONE ELSE KNOWS ANYTHING. I TALKED TO HYUN. MOTOR AMER. CUST. SERVICE, AND I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A CALL BACK. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS IF EITHER OF THESE IS COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND IF SO WHAT THEN?
NHTSA complaint #744895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WATER PUMP AND HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #884629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP AND HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #884629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.