NHTSA Complaint #10176683 — 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON

I PURCHASED A 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON USED WITH 24,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES WITH NO EVIDENT PROBLEMS. SUDDENLY THE CLUTCH WENT OUT OF THE CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT THE CLUTCH HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AT 18,000 MILES DUE TO A FAILED BEARING/CEASED FLY WHEEL. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TOLD MY SALES AGENT THAT THE CLUTCH WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER THE 6/60,000 WARRANTY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THEM. AFTER TAKING THE CLUTCH OFF, THEY DECIDED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR AND THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE REPAIRS. ON CARSPACE AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND THAT NUMEROUS 2003 TIBURON PURCHASES HAVE RESULTED IN FAILED CLUTCHES MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE EARLY LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND HYUNDAI SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES. MECHANICS I TALKED TO BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT COMPLETELY RELEASING THE CLUTCH. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BY MY SON WHO IS A US MARINE. I THINK IT IS DISGRACEFUL THAT A KOREAN COMPANY IS CHEATING OUR YOUNG SOLDIERS. *NM