When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello, all. Last week I paid cash $6200 to an auction house/dealer (that really seemed more like a private seller) for a 2008 Santa Fe Limited Sport with 102,000 miles. After purchase, found out there are 3 unaddressed recalls. One is rust/ protective treatment. Dropped vehicle at local Hyundai dealer yesterday. Today they called to advise there is an actual HOLE in the FRAME. It is impossible to repair & is unsafe to drive, according to the service guy. He submitted photos & info to Hyundai, requesting they buy the vehicle back.
Soooo...I had zero idea scenarios like this even existed. I read some of the stories here. In my case, since it cannot be repaired, what should I be expecting/requesting/demanding? I have no idea what my rights are. I'll try to attach photos the dealer sent me.
Depending on their response, the channel can be repaired by a competent welder, depending how widespread the rust is. I am not sure if you can get satisfaction for rust through on a 12 year old car. Some recalls expire when they are not addresses during the campaign period, as a preventative measure, the original owner didn't fulfill his obligation to bring it in.
It's past the 10 year 100,000 warranty (which covers only the powertrain I believe). I hope they will help you.
On the up side, I recently read where someone was offered a buyback on the same vehicle, but I don't remember the year, or mileage on that one.
Last edited by s-petersen; Jul 11, 2020 at 08:40 AM.
Because of a liability issue, nobody wants to get involved.
The rusted out area may or may not be easily repaired, there is a big BUT here, the $64,000 question is what about the rest of the structure which cannot be easily seen without probing and close examination. If the rest of the vehicle is getting close to severe disintegration , it still leaves you with a few options.
Use it locally until it won't go anymore, unload it (sell) , get an estimate or two from a body shop and see just what it would cost to do it right if they would even take the job.
Because of a liability issue, nobody wants to get involved.
The rusted out area may or may not be easily repaired, there is a big BUT here, the $64,000 question is what about the rest of the structure which cannot be easily seen without probing and close examination. If the rest of the vehicle is getting close to severe disintegration , it still leaves you with a few options.
Use it locally until it won't go anymore, unload it (sell) , get an estimate or two from a body shop and see just what it would cost to do it right if they would even take the job.
Yes, I'm finding this out already, with the first welder I spoke with this morning. There's likely more derp-rust issues to contend with on this vehicle. I guess, if I'm stuck with it, I'll have to have someone look at it to find out if theres any hope of making it safe for cross-country travel..
Depending on their response, the channel can be repaired by a competent welder, depending how widespread the rust is. I am not sure if you can get satisfaction for rust through on a 12 year old car. Some recalls expire when they are not addresses during the campaign period, as a preventative measure, the original owner didn't fulfill his obligation to bring it in.
It's past the 10 year 100,000 warranty (which covers only the powertrain I believe). I hope they will help you.
On the up side, I recently read where someone was offered a buyback on the same vehicle, but I don't remember the year, or mileage on that one.
Thanks, I hope they will too! It sucks that its so old...not sure why one of the 2 owners of the vehicle never took it in to address the rust recall! I just have never heard of any manufacturer buying a car back because of defects. They said, if there was one, it would be a 'very reasonable' offer. I have no clue what that means. Dealer could only say that it would be 'considerably higher' than what they would give me as trade in. Any idea if it wiuld be close to what I JUST paid for it one week ago? Also, would it be cash?
In the other thread, (I will look for it) the offer was something like $5600 cash buyout.Toyota bought back, and replaced many(Tacoma?) truck frames for rusted out frames.
Did the place you bought it from sell it as is? If it is a legitimate business tell them the car is unsafe and didn't pass inspection.
It was sold as is out of stste, in New York. I haven't even registered it in Ohio yet. Seller swears its not a safety issue, since its a unibody frame. It passed a NY inspection. He is officially disagreeing with dealer. He says he's the one that caused the hole when he first lifted it. He says its made of aluminum & he didnt use proper pin point to lift. Aluminum?! I thought that doesn't rust?! He says it is perfectly safe for me to put a hitch on it and tow a 1500 lb pop up camper across country, which is the reason I bought it. He says he garauntees if the car falls apart he will buy it back & pay for transport. He says its fine because there are so many places the car is attached to the unibody.
Untrue it is iron / steel sheet metal. Aluminum does not rust.(it corrodes into a white powder) The channel is one of the most important components of the unibody, it keeps the floor from sagging, and makes the body rigid, the roof is the other thing that strengthens the body.
Last edited by s-petersen; Jul 11, 2020 at 12:10 PM.
Rust Recall - Damage not repairable
