Ask the Car People.SM


2008 Hyundai Elantra

513 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2010 at 4:04 PM

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Automotive News, Car Comparisons, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 22 of 52

#204 of 513 Re: Fuel Pump 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems [schukanuoslady] by wobbly_ears

Jul 16, 2008 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: schukanuoslady (Jul 16, 2008 4:25 pm)
I'm really glad that you are following it up with NHTSA & Hyundai. Hopefully this matter would be resolved sooner & effectively and no one has to undergo what you & others on this forum have undergone with their fuel pumps failing.
 
I have been on these forums a long long time & this is the FIRST time I have heard anything seriously wrong with Hyundais (notwithstanding silly/minor issues like dash trim or low mileage). Compared to other manufacturer's like Toyota (engine sludge) and Honda (VCM issues), most of the issues with Hyundais since 2000-2001 have been quite minor (comparitively).
 
I'm an engineer by training & I'm very impressed by Hyundai's attention to details & pure common sense in designing their cars & components. Hence I'm kinda surprised that a critical component like a fuel pump has either bad quality control or bad design.
 
A reason why I'm encouraging people to be proactive is that sometimes heightened consumer complaint would force a manufacturer to allocate more resources/money to expedite a solution to a problem to avoid bad press.
 
All I can say at this time is that it is quite unfortunate that you & others have to deal with this dangerous nonsense. However, as a somewhat longtime Hyundai customer, I can say that their cars are as good as anyone elses's (yes, even including Honda & Toyota).
 
Good luck & keep us posted on how this matter proceeds...

#205 of 513 Re: Fuel Pump 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems [wobbly_ears] by backy

Jul 16, 2008 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: wobbly_ears (Jul 16, 2008 5:35 pm)
There was an SRS recall on the first 900 or so 2001 Elantras in the U.S., but it was caught early enough so most were fixed before they were sold. There was also the "Poor" frontal offset crash test score on the 2001-3 Elantras, which I consider to be a very serious issue for a modern car. And there have been some OCS recalls on multiple Hyundais, which could lead to serious injury if not corrected, but those involved simple reprogramming. There was also a recall on some 2004 Elantras for the gas line connection to the gas tank. It could have been dangerous had an affected car been in a rear-end collision.
 
P.S. I bought one of those first 2001 Elantras in the U.S. and own a 2004 Elantra now. Both very good cars. But not perfect. Nor is any car.

#206 of 513 Re: Fuel Pump 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems [backy] by wobbly_ears

Jul 16, 2008 (7:01 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jul 16, 2008 5:44 pm)
backy, I think you are very right. I was being a little too effusive about Hyundai. Yes, they have had a number of serious issues and by no means they're perfect. They & other automakers all have issues.
 
Methinks I should research a bit before replying...

#207 of 513 Re: Fuel Pump 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems [backy] by schukanuoslady

Jul 17, 2008 (4:00 am)

Replying to: backy (Jul 16, 2008 5:44 pm)
I was told by the salesman that Hyundai Elantras have been in the US for only 8 yrs and it probably took a few years to iron out the bugs. This 2008 Elantra is the first to have the PZEV engine....low emission. And that is probably why the fuel pumps are not working right. This is what I honestly believe. It would make sense. Make a new engine and design the fuel pump wrong. I like the fact there is a 7 yr warranty on the whole emissions system. All you have to do is replace hangers on your muffler. I guess they figured there might be some problems to iron out. I just know that if they did swap a fuel pump out of a car for sale to fix my husband's car so they wouldn't have to give him a new car, well...that means it can happen again.
 
I also saw a post saying there are not very many 2008 Elantras left at the dealers. There are lots up here in NY at the Hyundai dealers. And we were told the only 2009 to get released so far is the Sonata as it sold out so fast.
 
I liked the bigger Sonata, but I have a 32 " inseam and I had no leg room in it, but yet the smaller Elantra was a perfect roomy fit.
 
I like mine so far. I just dread knowing my fuel pump will probably go too. And hiping my husband got the correct right one installed, not one out of a car up for sale. .

#208 of 513 Problems with Elantra ... update to my original post #189 by mkepanther

Jul 17, 2008 (5:44 am)

I filed my complaint with NHTSA yesterday. I also contacted the BBB and started the arbitration process (I'm seriously considering demanding that they pay off my car loan and return the car). It has been over a week since I bought my car (purchased July 8) and it has been in the shop from July 9, 8:56PM and is not fixed yet. I have called the Hyundai customer affairs/complaint department 4 times now, and have not gotten much resolution. They finally escalated my issue to the regional level. The dealer has not returned calls to the customer affairs department, so it has been escalated now to the region powers-that-be.
 
(To recap, my original entry in this forum is #189. My car lost power and died in the middle of an intersection during a simple left-hand turn on my first day of ownership. It had about 100-125 miles on it at the time of failure. The dealer said the computer returned a "misfire code on cylinder 1" but could not pinpoint the source of the problem, or what part to fix.) I have tried to be very patient with this whole problem, but this is just unacceptable. I drove my car one day since I bought it on July 8, and it's been in the shop since. I asked the dealer if it could possibly be the fuel pump, after reading all the issues with fuel pumps on this forum. They said that "the fuel pump is not the problem".
 
Fast forward a few days, and they now notice my 4 calls to the customer complaint line, the BBB complaint and the NHTSA complaint. (I may proceed via BBB through the arbitration/mediation process to get my car returned/ money refunded.) Last night the dealer called and acted shocked that the regional people said to replace the fuel pump on the car. They have to order it still, and don't have an ETA on the repair time (probably depends on when the part comes in). They offered a loaner car (the car has been in the shop for over 1 week now...not quite sure why they offered a loaner to me so late!). They already said that there wasn't anything wrong with the fuel pump, so why replace it now???
 
My husband inquired as to what "tests" were run on the car...he said that we needed proof of the diagnostic tests run on the car (FYI, we need this for the BBB complaint that we filed. BBB requires/requests paper copies of all records of repairs/tests the shop conducts). The dealer said that they "visually inspected and test drove the vehicle". Nothing in the "diagnostic" category was run (I thought they do more than just look at the car and drive it???). I'm not sure if this is normal to do such low-level "tests" on a car malfunctioning on the first day of ownership. I'm trying not to be negative about Hyundai, but I find it very difficult. The first Hyundai repair shop said "You're going to have to wait for your car to be looked at...you are on the bottom of the wait list". It didn't matter that my car was only 26 hours old.
 
Then I called the sales manager at the dealer where I made the purchase, and he basically called me a liar (he said to me "I suspect that you are OVER-DRAMATIZING the issues with your car. I find it impossible to believe that ANY Hyundai dealer would have a wait list for a car to be looked at in this situation." I told the sales manager to feel free to verify that what I'm saying is true. I gave him the name and number of the dealer making the "repairs". The sales manager at the selling dealership said "I WILL verify your story with the repairing dealership. I doubt what you are saying is true. I will verify with the repairing dealer." He then called me back about 10 minutes later and apologized profusely for "further fueling my anger" at the situation and not believing me. He said the repairing Hyundai dealer service manager was "the rudest person he's dealt with in this business". The two Hyundai dealers (the one I bought the car from and the one "repairing" the car) slung mud to each other over the course of the next few days we me caught in the middle....
 
Please put yourselves in my shoes and see if you would be upset if the selling dealership treated you with disrespect and essentially calling you a liar. Would you be happy with Hyundai? Would you be negative? I feel better now that I have filed several complaints with entities that can do something about this situation. I am moving towards a resolution, despite not having much cooperation from Hyundai.
 
Surprisingly I am now laughing about the situation because it's gotten ridiculous at this point. I don't really care to have the car back. I was originally excited to buy my Elantra since I fell in love with the Sonata (I rented one for 10 days on vacation last year. It was so similar to the Camry, and much cheaper.) I had high hopes for Hyundai and the Elantra, so I'm understandably disappointed by this whole situation.
 
Thank you to all who have been supportive and understanding of my predicament. I've appreciated the tips you have offered me. This has been a very trying situation, but I have tried to be proactive and alert others to possible dangers with this vehicle. I hope I have done my part to make Hyundai and consumers aware of this serious problem. That's the silver lining in this situation...

#209 of 513 Re: Fuel Pump 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems [schukanuoslady] by fargond

Jul 17, 2008 (6:46 am)

Replying to: schukanuoslady (Jul 17, 2008 4:00 am)
I am not as knowledgeable as I should be when it comes to auto mechanics, but have many friends that are. However a fuel pump is one of the most basic things in a car, and a single fuel pump often is used in a wide variety of vehicles, though tends to stay within a particular manufacturer (e.g. GM, Ford, Toyota). However a pump used on a lowly Cavalier might be the same as a more performance oriented Pontiac with a completely different engine. It's more tied to the size of the tank, position it needs to mount in the tank, the length of run to the engine, volume required, etc...
 
I suspect the PZEV has nothing to do with the pump problems, but that's just a guess. My guess is they used an underengineered (i.e. 'cheap') pump that has a design defect and burns out easily. IIRC, I've seen posts of this problem from east coast states that are NOT affected (or can get) PZEV engines. I suspect it's just a problem across the entire line and whatever other cars might use the same part (perhaps Accent or Sonata depending?)
 
It is unfortunate this occurred as I know how much of a pain they are to replace, and the potential for personal or property injury due to the failure. I also know I've seen tons of reports of failure (though not this soon) on GM vehicles from the mid to late 90's. I'ver personally experienced it too on a GM. Usually around 50 - 70K miles and the next one fails in another 50K. So it's not something isolated to Hyundai, but the immediate failure is cause for concern.

#210 of 513 Re: Problems with Elantra ... update to my original post #189 [mkepanther] by ez888

Jul 17, 2008 (7:04 am)

Replying to: mkepanther (Jul 17, 2008 5:44 am)
i am with you. i'd be pissed at the dealer! its hard to say a whole car manufacturer is bad because of your situation; however, i can see how you feel that way. have you tried contacting the corporate office in the US?
 
i had a similar situation with dodge/chrysler with my mom's caravan- i will never give any money to them. especially because i contacted their corporate relations office and sent pics of the issue and never heard back.
 
i hope that bad dealer improves or maybe you just should never go back there. not sure if i missed it, but did the dealer you purchased it from want to help you at all? maybe contact the bad dealer again and work with them. obviously, if your salesperson said the service manager was the rudest person he ever spoke with, i would hope he would follow up because a couple bad people can really tarnish a whole company- as you're experiencing.
 
good luck. please keep us updated.
eric

#211 of 513 Re: Fuel Pump 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems [schukanuoslady] by backy

Jul 17, 2008 (7:26 am)

Replying to: schukanuoslady (Jul 17, 2008 4:00 am)
Well, multiple inaccuracies there. Elantra is now in Gen 4, with Gen 1 arriving in the U.S. in late 1991 for the 1992 MY. Current Elantra has been on sale for nearly 2 years and has been available as PZEV for at least that time--might have been available as PZEV at the very end of Gen 3 also, but I don't recall. And as far as numbers of 2008 Elantras available, the scarcity is on the popular SE trims; GLSes seem to be in much better supply. Also, 2009 Azera and 2009 Genesis are at dealers now, in addition to 2009 Sonata.

#212 of 513 Re: Problems with Elantra ... update to my original post #189 [mkepanther] by moocow1

Jul 17, 2008 (10:18 am)

Replying to: mkepanther (Jul 17, 2008 5:44 am)
You're bringing up exactly why everyone needs to find a service manager who actually CARES. You found two absolutely terrible people which will completely ruin your experience. I've actually found a few good service guys in the area and I'm extremely glad to have them. It would be terrible to live with a service manager that won't help you, you life will be hell when anything goes wrong.
 
Personally when I got my old 2003 elantra, I had a minor issue of some squeaking noises coming from the left front of the car. They only showed up at high speeds, so it was hard to diagnose. But the service guy actually came on a ride with me and they understood the issue afterward. It was fixed promptly and never came back. That's the kind of service I expect and probably what should have happened with you. And if it had, I bet you'd be far more happy.

#213 of 513 Re: Fuel Pump 2008 Hyundai Elantra problems [fargond] by schukanuoslady

Jul 17, 2008 (10:57 am)

Replying to: fargond (Jul 17, 2008 6:46 am)
I am not that knowledgeable either, but our service manager told us the computer control was telling the fuel pump to inject air only no gas. And he said that the PZEV engine emission does mix air with gas to get the low emission. Not being a mechanic I have no idea if this is true. I called my x-husband who used to be a mechanic years ago on trucks and he said he doesn't know anything about the low emission vehicles and changed jobs around the time all the computerized cars started to come out. So.....anyone here know if this is true? Is the fuel pump pumping air mixed with gas to get the low emission?

Messages Page 22 of 52

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement