We bought a new Hyundai Elantra in 2001 and are generally happy with it. We are carefull to service the car when reccomended including oil changes but sometimes we stretch them to four or five thousand miles (still within manufacturers suggested guidelines). We have put 57,000 miles on it in these 8 years.
About six months ago the car started downshifting (a lurch with a large rise in rpm) during normal use of the car. This started happening often. We took it to a mechanic, but, of course, it didn't happen while he drove it so he could not diagnose the issue.
Last week it just stopped in the middle of an interstate. The noise it made was really bad and it wouldn't restart. We had it towed to the mechanic and he said there was no more oil in the tank. We were at 5000 miles since the last oil change and he said it was strange that there was so little oil left. Anyway the engine was totally shot and needed to be replaced.
It was taken to the dealer and he is now telling us that Hyundai will not honor the 10year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty because we neglected the car. Although we brought in many reciepts of oil changes, he says that the fact that the tank was empty upon arrival means we didn't do enough. I said that we kept to the manual and that the fact that the oil was gone is further evidence of a faulty engine burning up fuel faster than normal.
The dealer says that he understands our complaint but that the decision is not made by him, rather by Hyundai. He gave us the number to call Dan, the DPSM (?) who makes the decisions. We called and they would not let us speak with him. It seems we are not allowed to do that.
I am wondering why, when there is an agreement (warranty) between two parties, it is the right of one to unilaterally decide whether or not to honor said agreement? Can't there be an independant arbitrator?
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