I dont know if this would be considered vendor bashing, but Im going to vent anyway. The last month or so I hear a growl out of the tranny from the wifes hyundai. The clutch was slipping (another story) So I go and swap out the clutch set. Noise still continues. A friend who owns a shop drove it for me, and just going down the block tells me its the input shaft bearing. Well I get it to the dealer today.... 1st off. $220 to diagnose the noise, which is basically 2 hours of shop time. THEN. if they think they need to check into the tranny, its ANOTHER $220. So Im saying what happened to the 10 year 100K warranty? well if its the tranny then they bill it to hyundai. If its something else, I owe! So I go $440 just to find out what wrong? If I dont want to fix it there and just do it myself. I can just take the car correct? WELL yes but you will have to either have it towed home or pay ANOTHER $220 to have the tranny put back into the car!!!! Well I figure Id go for the first diagnosis. then if they come up with some excuse, I was going to park my el camino with a 6x8 sign in the bed across the street from them to let everyone know just what I think. Well they call, 99% sure its the internal bearings and theyre suppose to get the go ahead from the regional service manager so its suppose to be a warranty job. So we'll see. Lastly, when they start telling me about the charges. I tell them just give me the number to the regional service manager. Im told in front of my wife, they dont have a regional service manager. Then they call and tell me they're just waiting for approval from the REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER!!!. Jim

jim the next time they tell you they don't have a district service manager (or regonal service manager), as for his (the guy telling you this) name, and tell him you will either look it up yourself through corporate or get it from a neighboring dealer. and make sure to tell him, that when you talk to that person, you will be mentioning that he did not want to give you his number. then go see how quick is he to kiss your behind.

The nice thing about a good american auto company, is they are not afraid to put their Customer Assistance Center phone number in every owners manual they print.

Here you go Jim....

Hyundai Motor America
P.O. Box 20850
Fountain Valley, CA 92728-0850

800-633-5151

Just ask to speak to a customer service rep. then let that person know that it's only a 5 hour drive (when you are a bit angry) to Fountain Valley, Ca. from Tucson.

I had the same sort of thing happen tome with my wife's Mazda...and the service manager at the dealer refused to contact the regional manager. So, I went on Mazda's corporate site and found the contact info for Irvine, Ca....and basically stayed calm while I informed them that I would be seeing them in person the following day, if the regional didn't contact me directly.

He called in less than an hour...

Some food for thought. Good luck

Bruce

JIM: No matter how p o ed you get. You always get better results with a friendly voice. When talking to the Manager. BEEN there DONE that. Let them know the whole story. Even what happened at your dealer. My borther in law. So so pissed at this dealer. About his brand new truck. He got a hold of the regional manager. Explained the problem with the truck with less then a 100 miles on it. They bought it back from him. Made everyone happy.

Here you go Jim....

Hyundai Motor America
P.O. Box 20850
Fountain Valley, CA 92728-0850

800-633-5151

Just ask to speak to a customer service rep. then let that person know that it's only a 5 hour drive (when you are a bit angry) to Fountain Valley, Ca. from Tucson.

I had the same sort of thing happen tome with my wife's Mazda...and the service manager at the dealer refused to contact the regional manager. So, I went on Mazda's corporate site and found the contact info for Irvine, Ca....and basically stayed calm while I informed them that I would be seeing them in person the following day, if the regional didn't contact me directly.

He called in less than an hour...

Some food for thought. Good luck

Bruce


What's he going to do, go yell at a PO box? :D the 800 number is probably routed to Korea :D :D

I've already replaced my 2003 Accent's hy-clutch m/c and slave cylinder at less than 40,000 miles myself, (you think I'd trust the in town dealer to work on it after me buying it out of town, you got to be kidding!!), and now I am wondering just how long it will be before both go ourt again as well as the clutch plate too??

And fwiw, 2nd gear synchronizer sucks!!

I'm just hoping that it hold's up another year so's I can afford ta trade it??

It look's like they've caught on ta us wanting CHEAP and they are giving us CHEAP up where the sun doesn't shine UNLIKE my 1987 Chevy Sprint ER and later my 2000 Metro!!

Suckers were darn near bullet-proof, but GM didn't want the small car competition that they weren't even in the running so they got Suzuki ta can their small GREAT little-bitty corn-poppper commuter cars!!

NOIT GOOD AT ALL BY ME!!!!

pdq67

What's he going to do, go yell at a PO box? :D the 800 number is probably routed to Korea :D :D


Didn't notice the PO Box...OOPS!

Here you go!

What is the physical address of the headquarters in California?

10550 Talbert Ave
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-6031

Customers can Email consumer affairs at: consumeraffairs@hmausa.com.

Thanks for the moral support! Wife said i did say it was pissing me off, thats about it. I sat and wrote notes this afternoon about the whole episode, Im just hoping it all ends fine. Other than the clutch its really been a pretty good econobox. jim

Heres' some diagnostic advice from a dealership tech. Drive the car in whatever gear is 1-1 (probably 4th if its a 5 speed. If the noise goes away it IS likely the input shaft bearing since the shafts are locked together. NO ChARGE :D. I read these stories so much about dealerships and "our practices" I've about gotten to where it doesn't bother me too much anymore. There are times when we tell the customer up front that there will be a diag charge if the problem is not a covered item. For example some things are considered wearable items and are usually not covered by warranty such as a clutch disc, brake pads etc. Additionally a check engine light may or may not be covered. In your particular case can't see any reason an internal trans noise would be an issue for you unless it were a release bearing. However a competent tech should be able to distinguish between a release bearing and an input shaft bearing without tranmission removal and I cant see it taking longer than an hour.
I can tell you from many years of dealership experience that the best way to get somewhere is to mention "Care Scores" and demand to speak to General manager and or owners. In my experience the GM usually just wants to get you out of his office and will usually give you what you are looking for whether it is deserved or not. Good Luck

Thanks Jack, Well the dealership called and said hyundai rejected the claim. I told them whatever. He gave me a number to call for the customer care affairs. The service manager told me he had a 65 mustang before. So I asked him. When you drive the mustang, you get a bunch of looks in traffic because theres nothing like a classic car in the sea of bubblegum cars right. He told me yes. So I tell him Imagine a loud, red, 68 elcamino with big ralleys and a cowl hood thats my daily driver (25miles a day) with a 6 foot sign basically telling how we felt we were let down by the dealership and the companies 10 year 100000 mile warranty. Plus I was going to letter the back of my even louder 70 chevelles rear window. And my full size Jimmy, rolling billboard. He said I really should call the 1 800 number and explain the problem, they might reconsider. So I made one call today. Got to get the Vin for them. call back in the morning. Also explained how 1. I was told in front of my wife when I asked about me contacting the regional service manager. I was specifically told they dont have one. BUT 5 hours later I was told he was waiting for a okay from the regional service manager.
2. they told me they had to tell hyundai that I did not install a original hyundai clutch, even though all the forums and the service manager even admitted that the 86000 miles we got out of the original was pretty good, since they usually only last 60000 miles.
3. that the tranny was 2.5 pints low on tranny oil. (I topped it off 3 weeks prior when I swapped the clutch) the told today the tranny was 2.5 qts low.
4. Cant do anything until the regional service manager gets okay from hyundai. But the manager might be out because a family member (sister) may have died. Im sorry if its true, but does that mean all the dealerships are at a standstill because one person is out?
I also told them for what they wanted to inspect and reinstall a tranny $660. i could probably grab one from a wrecking yard and have it done in less than a day on my back!
I was very courteous to the lady at the 1 800 number, hopefully it'll all work out. if not my cars will be sporting some new lettering. I imagine a tranny cant cost these guys all that much. As the rules of salesmanship states.
1. if your treated good, you'll tell 3 others
2. if your treated badly, you'll tell 10 others.
3. Depending on how many folks read this post, I hope Im telling at least 100 people.
i'll update the post as i find out what the outcome is. i'll see about getting a photobucket acct and maybe post up some pics of my creative window art! jim

Good luck Jim!

2. if your treated badly, you'll tell 10 others.
3. Depending on how many folks read this post, I hope Im telling at least 100 people.
i'll update the post as i find out what the outcome is. i'll see about getting a photobucket acct and maybe post up some pics of my creative window art! jim

Jim,

Edmunds.com lets you post your dealer service reviews. Don't tell 100's, tell 1,000s.
I did, and feel so much better now. ;)

http://www.edmunds.com/dealerships/NorthCarolina/WinstonSalem/FlowMotorsofWinstonSalem/service.1.newOld.html



Good luck,

Thanks, for the link, im going to tell it like it is. I got a call back from the customer affairs line. They said since I didnt install a hyundai clutch it contributed to the bearing failure. Funny thing is I told them I had it checked out by a mechanic friend who owns his own shop before I replaced the clutch. I was told it was the input shaft bearing before the clutch was replaced. But the dealer said it was the aftermarket clutch.
So, since the chevelles is in spray bomb primer right now anyway. Im going out and stenciling a few lines about this dealers, lack of honesty, integrity, respect on the door of the car, along with my phone number. Then this weekend Im going out and take some pics around town with the car. Then send it to the other dealers owned by this company, plus im going to send a few pics to the corporate HQ. I'll also send a few pics to the chevy dealer and apoligize for not buying a cavalier when we originally went new car shopping! Jim

That PO Box is only about 9 miles from my house. Do you want me to go down there and tell it a thing or two? Just give me the green light.

Gotta love team chevelle members. but no i wouldnt want any trouble for anyone. I just went and painted the dealerships name with NO Honesty. on the passenger door of my chevelle. friday Im going to get more creative on the drivers door and trunk lid. Sunday im going to out and take some pictures and email them to hyundai, the dealership, and anyone else I can think of.
The main thing that bugs me is the lack of integrity from the dealership. The owner is a local guy with a bunch of different lines of cars. i imagine he doesnt even hear half the stuff that happens. hopefully some of it gets to the ears and eyes of the upper management. Jim

so i found a tranny for $275 today, probably just going to pick it up next week. now its just a matter of principle. Wife thinks im nuts for my letter writing campaign. and with my luck, they'll decide just to fix it after ive already installed another trans. only good that might come out of all this is, hopefully i can convince my wife we need a newer full size truck. jim