Follow up on this post: https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/postid/121641/

Vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 2.4L I4 GDI (non-turbo), 6-speed auto, 106,xxx miles

Problem: engine codes concerning intake needing repair

This post is meant as a warning to anyone considering buying a Hyundai/Kia product. I am not needing any diagnostic advice.

TLDR: engine code about intake appeared. TSB found by me mandating dealership fix the problem. Dealership ignored TSB. Corporate ignored TSB, then promised partial refund. Then denied partial refund. Then promised full refund. Then denied full refund.

So a few months ago, my Hyundai popped a couple of engine codes. After running them, I discovered a baffle in the intake ran by an electric motor was the culprit. Also during my research, I discovered a TSB that called for the dealer to fix this issue.

Now I know TSBs don't carry the weight of an actual recall, but this one had an "Important" box stating that the problem shall be fixed by the dealer if the vehicle exhibited certain symptoms. My vehicle exhibited those symptoms exactly and matched the vehicle descriptors exactly.

So of course the dealership ignores the TSB and charged me to fix the problem (we only went there because we planned to fight the charges with corporate after the fact). We also called corporate, and they declined to pay for the issue at the time of the repair.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, I am in the process of going back-and-forth with corporate about this claim. Finally, the lady I have been speaking with comes back with an offer. (The part was $400ish, the labor was $200ish). Hyundai offered us $400.

So after questioning the lady (who in her defense has been very nice), she told me that they won't refund the labor of the repair. Even if it had been a full recall, they don't refund labor.

Whatever I say. At this point, I'm just ready to put it behind me. After a couple weeks, she contacts me again and stated the refund was denied due to the mileage being more than the warranty period (hair is being pulled out in clumps at this point). I explained that this wasn't a warranty claim. This was a TSB claim (which was filed with NHTSA). She promises to resubmit claim.

Fast forward another few weeks (the responses from them take 7 days minimum between each step). The lady contacts me stating Hyundai is going to cover both parts and labor. The only thing I'm out is the environment and state taxes. No biggie, about $60. I can deal with that. Cue the parades and parties! We won.

Nope...

About 2 weeks later, the lady contacted me saying the claim was denied due to the mileage being out of the warranty period. (Did I stumble into the Twilight Zone?!). She advised me to try again in 30 days to see if it succeeds then. At this point in the process, we have requested to speak with a higher level manager to escalate this claim.

So to all those considering purchasing a Hyundai/Kia, DON'T. I have never dealt with more inept customer service than I have with them.