Complaint Review: Hyundai Auto Canada Corp

August 27/08 I found 1 front wheel rim of 2004 hyundai elantra to be cracked in 3 places through the web of the rim. 1 crack did extend into the bolt holes and out wards through the large holes made to reduce the weight of the rim. The cracks are exactly where the plastic wheel cover loacator tabs contact the rim. These 6 tabs actually wear a grove approx. 1/4" long into the rim causing a weak spot. The car was taken to the dealer in sudbury, where I had to pay up front to replace the rim, the excuse was that the hyundai representative would have to inspect the rim before warranty would cover it. Fast foreward several excuses as to why the rep. hadn't looked into the matter, today nov. 17/08 once again because I called, I was told by sudbury hyundai the rep. decided that warranty would'nt cover the replacement of the rim because he determined that it had been incorrectly intalled and overtightened. Apparently tests were conduced to come to this conclusion. I've owned the car since it was new and the only times to my recollection that the wheels were taken off was by the dealer and the tire shop, both of whom are required to torque the wheels with a torque wrench. I called the hyundai head office customer relations and was told they wouldn't override the reps. decision, and if I read my owners manual warranty didn't cover "normal" wear and tear. They considered the grooves filed into the rim to be normal. If the cracks didn't go through the groves I wouldn't have much to go on, but if you own one of these cars do yourself a favour and have an independent shop check your rims to be certain they are ok. My rim was actually making a squeaking noise as it rotated and when the largest crack was at the bottom you could slip a strip of paper through it. I do have pictures and I am retrieving the rim from the dealer tommorrow.

Jimt
whitefish, Ontario
Canada