Dud 2006 Sonata

If you're here researching Sonatas, listen to my story and decide for yourself. I'm sure there have been a lot of good experiences with the car for other folks, but I seem to have gotten a dud 2006.

My entire engine was replaced at 34,000 miles after a valve guide fell into the cylinder at highway speed. At the time I expressed to Hyundai that I was distrustful of the car after such a bad failure so early. I was told that I would come to trust the car in time.

Around 50,000 miles I got an engine light. I was told it was a minor transmission code and they replaced the fluid and sent me on my way. A week later the light came back, this time for transmission failure. The entire transmission was replaced with a rebuilt transmission.

I expressed my concerns to Hyundai again, got a call back from the exact same person that called me back last year telling me that I would come to trust the car in time. Everything he said was, to the word, exactly what he said after the engine was replaced, obviously crafted by their legal department.

Their line is that they did what they were obligated to do under the warranty and they're right. But it's no fun to drive a car when you're waiting for the other (third?) shoe to drop and they are steadfast that they are not interested in cutting me a deal on trading in my car. I'm not asking for anything free, just to work out something where I can trade in mine without my payments going up or getting extended too far into the future. I'm not trying to screw over Hyundai, I just want something trustworthy. Or some kind of small gesture that shows they value me as a repeat customer.

I mentioned that I'm surprised they weren't going to offer me so much as an oil change and the rep's reply was: "Now you've gone from wanting another car to wanting an oil change?!" Funny, he said that exact same thing last year, too.

Interestingly, when I called to mention my transmission was bad and that the engine had already been replaced, the rep who took the call told me she's seen them replace entire cars for less. When I mentioned this to their regional rep who called me back he told me the first rep wasn't an employee of Hyundai, just someone in Utah who answers the phone.

So there you go. I'm going to dump this car (the fourth Hyundai in my household) and get something else and Hyundai will never see one penny from me again. Yes, they stand by their warranty, but don't expect them to do anything to value you as a customer. They don't care. They'll do the minimum and that's it.

Decide for yourself. You'll probably have no problems. Or maybe you will.

Feeling lucky?

Out of all the hyundai owners who use this site there will be some who have had ( problems) with their vehicles.With that being said does it make every hyundai made a dud? No. Every vehicle manufacturer has had a customer have problems like this one. It is luck of the draw. I personally think they have fixed your vehicle. What you are wanting is a new car for your old one, dont we all. Your car runs and drives normal since the service work has been done correct? Then Hyundai has done their part and done look for something wrong with the vehicle or you will never trust it.

count your blessings, that you don't drive a GM, FORD or CHYSLER

Sounds like you should distrust this particular Hyundai dealer rather than the cars themselves.  Have you check with your state's consumer protection agency?  Many states have a "lemon law" that require dealers to provide extra compensation or benefit (often a better trade value or lower price on a replacemnt) if the car can be documented as a "lemon", and I think you've done that.

My daily driver?  1995 Ford Taurus with 192K, original engine, original automatic tranny.....I hope my wife's new Sonata serves us as well.

 Lemon law only applies for same concern with in a matter of times. I agree with Duke , count your blessings it is not a Gm or Ford.

WOW, I didn't know anyone could be an expert on the lemon laws in all 50 states.  Me?  I have to refer to my 2008 Sonata's Owner's Handbook Supplement which provided the lemon law disclosure notices for all 50 states and DC.  True, many states put time and mileage limits for making a claim, but those vary from a few months and a few thousand miles to 36 month and 36,000 miles.  Many states have no such limits, provided you are the original owner of the car.  Some states require some attempt of arbitration with a third party like the Better Business Bureau, others don't.  Each state is pretty much unique.  I don't know what state you live in, nerdninja, but I'll stick to my advice that you should check this possibility out.  Also, the supplement contains an outline of Hyundai's current customer assistance process.  If you feel stonewalled by the dealer or a regional representative, Hyundai provides a national cutomer assistance number:

Hyundai Motor America
Consumer Assistance Center
10550 Talbert Avenue
PO Box 20850
Fountain Valley CA  92728-0850
1-800-633-5151 (M-F, 5 am to 6 pm PST)

Hyundai also offers or suggests an alternative arbitration program through the BBB:

BBB Auto Line
Alternative Dispute Resolution Division
Council of Better Business Bureaus Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
1-800-955-5100

Hyundai states this is a "no cost to you" program.

I hope this helps.