The so called 'bumper to bumper' Hyundai warranty

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Dave in Lake Villa, Nov 16, 2005.

  1. To the consumer , 'bumper to bumper' warranty gives the impresssion that
    EVERY defective part is covered at no cost . Not so. The 2004 Santa Fe
    i bought my folks have had 2 license plate bulbs go bad within a 3 month
    period with just over 12,000 miles on the car. The Hyundai Dealer
    wanted $21 to change out the bulb because the 'bumper to bumper'
    warranty doesnt cover light bulbs. Light bulbs going bad (even the same
    one within a 3 month time frame) are not covered ; according to the
    Service Manager : " Light bulbs are considered a maintenance item". I
    say , thats fine if one goes out every 3 or 4 years...but the same one
    within 3 months at just over 12,000 miles ??? Come on.

    I post this just so you are aware. There are other things which the
    'bumper to bumper warranty' does not cover as well.
     
    Dave in Lake Villa, Nov 16, 2005
    #1
  2. Yeah, see, you have to actually *read* the warranty -- it clearly says
    such items as light bulbs, wipers, etc. are excluded. You shouldn't
    have been surprised by this. It's annoying to have two bulbs go out in
    such a short time, and I guess 21 bucks is a bit much to charge to
    replace them -- but they're light bulbs. They burn out. Sometimes you
    get a defective one... or two... or three, and they don't last as long
    as they should. That's the way things go. Replacing them requires a
    Phillips' screwdriver.
     
    shane.glaseman, Nov 16, 2005
    #2
  3. Dave in Lake Villa

    Tom Guest

    Ah, you said the magic word, Shane - 'defective'.
    Don't you think 'defective' parts should be covered under the warrantee? I
    think it says that in the papers if you read them.....

    I own a 2006 Sonata and a 2003 Kia Sedona. I just had to pay for a
    headlight in the Sedona under the 'bumper to bumper' warrantee. Maybe you
    don't remember when such warrantees covered everything. Times are a
    changing. Also, Kia has made it very clear with huge signs in their waiting
    rooms that any failure to follow their suggested maintenance with documented
    proof voids the 100,000 mile warrantee. Used to be that a simple entry in
    their book that you changed the oil and filter at routine intervals was
    enough.

    Tom
     
    Tom, Nov 16, 2005
    #3
  4. Dave in Lake Villa

    Krazy Kanuck Guest

    gee....my Hyundai dealer replaces bulbs for free even if I'm just in for an
    oil change.....and they also wash the car for free unless they're really
    busy!
    Len

    --
    .....Order the "Accordion Evolution" documentary of the Las Vegas
    International Accordion Convention from my website:
    http://users.accesscomm.ca/limbery/
    ....Del Sur Al Norte...Regina Sk. Canada Latin and South American Folk dance
    band:
    http://users.accesscomm.ca/limbery/DelSurAlNorte.html
     
    Krazy Kanuck, Nov 16, 2005
    #4
  5. Dave in Lake Villa

    Jody Guest

    Bulbs are a consumable item like oil and filters, brakes etc you want them
    to cover a 79 c bulb?????
    Its so easy to replace them, go to walmart buy the bulbs ..your owners
    manual should state how to change.
    every car buy ind read their manual it's there for a reason...
     
    Jody, Nov 16, 2005
    #5
  6. Dave in Lake Villa

    Pete & Cindy Guest

    heck my dealer. will change any bulb. wash vehicle.. vacums it out. cleans
    the windows.. tops up winsheild washer fluids.. why I wont take it anywhere
    else to be worked on..

    Pete...
     
    Pete & Cindy, Nov 16, 2005
    #6
  7. Dave in Lake Villa

    nothermark Guest

    Autozone usually replaces them for free so they can get the sale.

    ;-)
     
    nothermark, Nov 16, 2005
    #7
  8. While you can quibble about whether bulbs should be covered under
    warranty (they're supposed to be for the first 12 months), if you can't
    be bothered to change your own bulbs, you deserve to get soaked for $21.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Nov 16, 2005
    #8
  9. Dave in Lake Villa

    Neil Guest

    I was told by my dealer that headlight main bulbs are covered under the
    warranty (not sure if this is the full 10/100), but the side marker bulbs
    are not. I guess it's because the side markers get used more when the
    lights are switched to the first setting. The license plate bulbs are
    certainly not covered. Yes -- I got stung too. I'll be fixing my own from
    now on.
     
    Neil, Nov 16, 2005
    #9
  10. I certainly understand what you're saying, Tom, but the point is that
    the warranty covers what it says it covers, and doesn't what it
    doesn't. It doesn't matter what I *think* it should cover -- all that
    matters is what the warranty says. Every buyer goes into the deal
    knowing (or should know) the score.

    I would certainly agree (and wish it were so!) that a
    "bumper-to-bumper" warranty "should" cover EVERYTHING on the car that
    might break, for a specific period of time. But it doesn't, it says it
    doesn't, and that's the way it is.

    I suppose we could argue over what "defective" means in the case of a
    light bulb (if it doesn't light, ever, it's defective. If it doesn't
    last "as long as it should..." well, who determines that?), but that
    discussion would be silly, in the long run.

    But really, my response was caused by, "It's a light bulb, for crying
    out loud. Get out a screwdriver and replace it." The things people will
    complain about...
     
    shane.glaseman, Nov 16, 2005
    #10
  11. Dave in Lake Villa

    hyundaitech Guest

    The dealer is correct. Bulbs are not covered beyond 1 year/12k miles,
    except your headlamp bulbs which are covered for 5/60.

    In all sincerity, everyone should read the warranty section of their
    owner's materials. First, it'll help you know whether you wish to take
    the car to the dealer, take it somewhere else, or even attempt repairs
    yourself. Second, you'll be able to know the veracity/correctness when
    the dealer says items are/are not covered by your warranty.

    Many dealers will replace bulbs for the cost of the part when not covered
    by warranty as a courtesy, but nothing requires them to do so. They have
    every right to charge labor for everything their technicians spend time
    doing. I typically install bulbs at no labor charge unless especially
    difficult or I feel the customer is taking advantage.
     
    hyundaitech, Nov 16, 2005
    #11
  12. Don't worry about the small stuff. I just found out today that you
    need to replace the timing belt at 60,000 and that if you don't, it is
    likely to ruin the engine if it breaks. I was quoted $800 for parts
    and labor for my 2002 XG350L..

    I checked around and found I could get the work done in another city
    for less than $500.

    It's still a shock to have a service item cost that kind of money.

    I've bought my last Hyundai.
     
    rayindesmoines, Nov 16, 2005
    #12
  13. How about timing belt? Today, I was quoted $800 to do the 60,000
    replacement service on my 2002 XG350L.

    That was a total surprise. I found the same thing for $399 about 2
    hours away.
     
    rayindesmoines, Nov 17, 2005
    #13
  14. Most vehicles on the market today have timing belts and require regular
    changes over the life of the vehicle.

    OTOH, my Astro's 4.3 V6 and my wife's Malibu 3.1 V6 both have timing
    chains. This advantage is unfortunately offset by the suckey
    transmissions Chevy makes.

    --
     
    Screwtape III, Nov 17, 2005
    #14
  15. 'While you can quibble about whether bulbs should be covered under
    warranty (they're supposed to be for the first 12 months), if you can't
        be bothered to change your own bulbs, you deserve to get
    soaked for $21.
    '

    REPLY: I would have replaced the bulbs myself, EXCEPT the Service
    Advisor at the Dealership said 'it was covered' ; so, i took it in only
    for the Service Manager to tell me it wasnt. By then, they had changed
    the light bulb and i had to part with $21 . Of course the next time one
    goes , i will do it myself. I just think that saying a car is 'bumper
    to bumper' waranteed , is a little misleading. I expect to pay for oil ,
    filters, etc...but not light bulbs ...especially 2 within 3 months just
    over 12 k. miles.
     
    Dave in Lake Villa, Nov 18, 2005
    #15
  16. Dave in Lake Villa

    Mike Marlow Guest

    I've owned GM's for decades before recently buying a 2004 Sonata and I've
    never had to replace a timing belt as a matter of routine maintenance. I've
    changed them because I was in there for something else, but that was totally
    discretionary. My cars typically go for around 250,000 miles and they're
    still running on the factory timing belt. As you say below, some aren't
    belts, some are chains, but those that are belts have not required changing
    at 60,000.

    So- in all of my research prior to buying this Sonata I had not discovered
    that they require a timing belt every 60,000 miles. Does this apply to all
    Hyundai's or only to certain motors?
    Hey - that tranny isn't sucky. We had a Malibu that the Hyundai replaced as
    my wife's car, and the Malibu is now my daughter's car. It was a
    disappointing car in a lot of respects and I'd never buy another Malibu, but
    I certainly wouldn't complain about the tranny. It's crisp and it runs
    trouble free forever as long as you never let it get thirsty for ATF. GM
    trannies get pretty upset over not having enough ATF. Easy to lose the pump
    and then the clutches.

    Now wheel bearings on the other hand... that's another story...
     
    Mike Marlow, Nov 18, 2005
    #16
  17. Make sure they use a Hyundai timing belt or you'll void the warranty.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Nov 18, 2005
    #17
  18. It sounds like you screwed yourself. If you were told that it was
    covered, you should have refused to pay the $21. You DON'T have to
    accept that kind of treatment! I suggest you go back and demand a
    refund. Threatening to take your business elsewhere should be enough
    leverage to get them to capitulate. If it's not, you shouldn't be
    dealing with them anyway, as they're dishonest.

    The warranty ('04 at least) clearly states that "belts, brake pads and
    linings, clutch linings, filters, wiper blades and bulbs" are covered
    for 12 months/12K miles "only when the replacement is the result of a
    defect in material or factory workmanship". The dealer was not obligated
    to replace the bulbs under warranty, but for a $2 part, one would think
    they might accommodate you as a good will gesture, especially if you
    bought the car from them and/or had them service it regularly. However,
    it's not their fault that you didn't read the warranty info completely.
    It's not like it's hidden, either. It's right on Hyundai's web site, so
    anyone can check it before buying a car.

    http://www.hyundaiusa.com/global/warranty/warranty.aspx
     
    Brian Nystrom, Nov 18, 2005
    #18
  19. Before you condemn Hyundai, check around to see what that same service
    costs on other cars. You'll probably find that it's just as much on any
    comparable vehicle. You could always buy all the necessary tools and a
    service manual (or use the FREE online manual that Hyundai provides), do
    the work yourself and save a bundle. If you're not willing to do that,
    you have to pay someone to do it for you, plain and simple.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Nov 18, 2005
    #19
  20. I'll bet that none of these vehicles had a 100,000 mile drivetrain
    warranty either, did they?

    Hyundai requires that you change the timing belt in order to maintain
    the warranty. That's the price you pay for the extended warranty
    coverage. That doesn't mean that the timing belt is going to wear out in
    60K, 80K or even 100K miles, but Hyundai is not willing to take that
    chance, since they're the one's that will be paying for the engine
    damage if it does fail. If you want the coverage, you agree to the
    terms. If you don't care about the warranty, you don't have to change
    the timing belt. Your call.
    All of them that I know of. FWIW, when I replaced the timing belt on my
    old Excel @64K miles, it was nearly indistiguishable from the new belt I
    installed. The replacement was still in the car when I sold it, 112K
    miles later. I'm not suggesting that anyone take the risk of not
    changing a timing belt, but they can last a long time.

    The only timing belt failure I've experienced was in a car with a
    leaking main seal that coated the timing belt with oil for ~20K+ miles
    until it finally shed a couple of teeth. However, it was not a Hyundai
    and I have no idea how durable the timing belts in the current Hyundai
    models typically are. When my Elantra hits 60K miles, I'll change the
    timing belt myself to keep Hyundai happy, as I did with the Excel.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Nov 18, 2005
    #20
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