5326 messages,
Last post on Feb 15, 2013 at 11:34 AM
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Hyundai Sonata, Future Vehicle, Sedan
#5319 of 5326 Headlight Lenses Cracking
by slaterjones
Feb 14, 2013 (6:20 am)
I have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, bought in 2010 when the new style first came out. While I love the look of the car and the significant power it gets from a 4cyl, I have been disappointed by a number of quality issues. One that I have not been able to find reference to anywhere is cracking of my headlights from the inside out. It first started with subtle lines / cracks on the inside of one lens and then the other and then spread and got worse with time. I kept meaning to bring it in to Hyundai, but never did (Yes, my fault!). I don't know if the bulbs were getting too hot, or it was some other issue but now the cracking has made its way all the way through the glass. I brought it to Hyundai and they (of course) are stating that they have never seen it and that it looks like I might have hit something. I gave them the history and said that it's not logical that I would somehow hit something which would crack both lenses, but not damage any other aspect of the front of the car - since the nose sticks out further then the lenses. I would love to hear from anyone else who might have experienced this issue. Help!
#5320 of 5326 Re: Headlight Lenses Cracking [slaterjones]
by sparkyzfan
Feb 14, 2013 (7:10 am)
That sounds a lot like the problem I posted here last year except mine was with the tail light mounts. If you don't want to try to do it yourself, you might want to take your vehicle to a reputable independent mechanic and have them check the tail light mounts for cracking before your warranty runs out. You bought yours about the same time I bought mine. I am convinced that there are a lot of sonatas out there that have some of the tail light mounts broken that will never be noticed because you wont know there is a problem until all of them break. I am still waiting to hear from Hyundai concerning my claim, but, I don't have much hope they will do the right thing. I guess it is easy to offer a 100K/10 year warranty if you don't honor claims.
#5321 of 5326 Re: Headlight Lenses Cracking [sparkyzfan]
by slaterjones
Feb 14, 2013 (8:07 am)
thanks for weighing in! I will definitely look into that. Agree with your comment about the warranty offered. Did you have the sport with low profile tires? Those things are not durable at all! the smallest bumps have gouged them and peeled away rubber. My car is pausing when I use the manual shift mode and move from 1st to 2nd. The alignment is screwed up, breaks went to fast, seats stain with even water drips, center console gets stuck, drivers mats wore out way too quick, bulbs burn out fast, driver seat fabric is already loose, etc etc. I have just found that there are so many little quality issues, but enough to make me wonder whether I would ever buy one again.
#5322 of 5326 Re: Headlight Lenses Cracking [slaterjones]
by pegasus17
Feb 14, 2013 (9:03 am)
REF: 5321
I have a 2011 Sonata GLS leased in April 2010 (mfg date March 2010) with low miles. I was considering buying it after the lease is up but decided to trade/turn-it-in after reading about many quality issues that arise after substantial time/miles on the car. While i agree about the style and power, i don't want to get stuck with paying for quality issues after the warranty runs out. FWIW, my salesperson did provide me with a list of "exclusions" for the warranty at the time of purchase so i knew the 10year/100k mile warranty wasn't as comprehensive as the marketing suggests (for the most part). Luckily i've had only two recall items (both software) and two minor issues (power window switch, burned out interior bulbs) to date. i hope that hyundai steps up and takes care of your headlight issue - i can't believe they wouldn't cover it. I'd call the national help line and file a complaint to get a case Number. GL.
#5323 of 5326 Re: Headlight Lenses Cracking [slaterjones]
by backy
Feb 14, 2013 (9:56 am)
First, take this to Hyundai Customer Support and see what they say. If they side with the dealer, tell them you are filing a claim under warranty and it's THEIR responsibility to PROVE the cracks were caused from external damage and are not a defect. Should be obvious, e.g. pitting or other damage on the outside of the lens where the cracks are... ALL the cracks.
Some dealers are better than others re repairing a car under warranty. My dealer has been really good about it over the years with multiple Hyundais. The only claim they denied was when a clutch failed on my 2001 Elantra, they said they took it apart and said it had been "abused". I thought they were telling me one until I checked with the main driver of the car, my oldest son, and he admitted he had in fact "abused" the clutch many times. Also my wife (3rd driver of the car) admitted abusing it too.
#5324 of 5326 Re: Headlight Lenses Cracking [backy]
by slaterjones
Feb 15, 2013 (8:36 am)
Thanks Backy, I appreciate the feedback. I'm going to take this to a different dealer than the one I got the car from. Maybe they will respond differently. It's worth a shot. I'll post an update after my visit.
Cheers.
#5325 of 5326 Re: Headlight Lenses Cracking [backy]
by mcdawgg
Feb 15, 2013 (10:29 am)
he admitted he had in fact "abused" the clutch many times. Also my wife (3rd driver of the car) admitted abusing it too
Wow, what did the wife and son admit to doing?
#5326 of 5326 Re: Headlight Lenses Cracking [mcdawgg]
by backy
Feb 15, 2013 (11:34 am)
Hard shifts. The kind that prematurely wear out a clutch.
The last such hard shift my son did actually broke the clutch pressure plate. It was the last such shift because after the car was repaired, I took the car back from him and instead let him use the 2000 626 I had purchased used for myself... had an automatic. Then not long after sold the Elantra to my sister... who still has it.