Mike Schmitz Automotive Group; Randle Watson; John Moore ripoff three month three engine and clutch repair Dothan Alabama
I bought a brand new 2003 tiburon on July 17 2003. Drove it for a year without any problems.
Then in November of 2004 had to put it in the shop for the driver side window motor to be replaced. Then everything was fine for awhile.
Then in October of 2005 had to put it in the shop for a list of things. The oil pan seal was leaking; The keyless entry and alarm would not work; The driver and passenger side struts were replaced. The passenger door lock mechanism was replaced. Then everything was fine for about a month.
December of 2005 had to put it in the shop because the blinker was stuck on. Had to replace the BCM. Some kind of computer chip that was not covered under the warranty. Car had 60660 miles. They would not go back 660 miles to put it under the warranty. Had to pay 740 dollars.
Then in March of 2006 the S@%t hit the fan. I heard a knocking coming from the motor. Had a real mechanic (my dads best friend) look at it and he suggeseted taking it to the dealership.
Took the car to Mike Schmitz and let the service manager Randle Watson hear the noise. He said it was a lifter tapping and told me to put thicker oil(not the suggested 10w30 but 20w50 in it) the next time I had it changed. That was on a Wednesday. On that following Friday I had the oil changed.
On my way home from having the oil changed the motor slung a rod. Called up Randle and said that the motor blew up and he told me to have it towed to them.
Had the car towed to Mike Schmitz where they took out the motor. John Moore called me and said the car needed new plugs and also a new clutch. And if you don't know the clutch is expensive. Where I live it costs 1300 dollars. I told them to go ahead and replace it cause I had the money at the time.
John calls me back and said good news and bad news. I say give me the bad news. He says the new motor they just got from Hyundai came all to pieces. I said whats the good news. He says its still covered under the warranty and they have another one on the way.
John calls me back and says the new new motor did the same thing when they put it in and crank it up but they caught it before it got too bad. They get the district rep out there and he tells them to pull the motor and see what is damaged.
They took the motor out and found metal shavings in the oil pan. They sent the heads to be cleaned. Put the motor back together and called to say its ready. This whole process took three months with no rental and no loaner.
The whole time this is going on I'm calling that 800-633-5151 number and talking to different people every time I call. Got a hold of one lady named Nancy who really tried to help. But Mike Schmitz wouldn't budge.
I tried to get them not to charge me for my clutch and call it even for not giving me a rental or loaner. They still didn't budge said it was up to me to provide my own transportation while they do warranty work on my car aint the some s#$t.
It ended up costing me more the three months in gas than it did to have the clutch put in. So I paid 2500 dollars for a new clutch.
Finally got my car back in June and after driving it for a week you guessed it not fully fixed. The car ran hot and I don't mean a little past normal I mean way past the H as far as the needle would go. Called Randle and told him what was wrong. He said bring it in.
Took the car in he said the thermostat was sticking. Would be a week to get the part in. I can get it in one day at autozone and for only ten bucks.
So I told them that I had to have my car to get to and from work and they said go ahead but be careful.
Called a week later and they said they had the part in and for me to come by and they would fix it. I had worse news for Randle when I called. The 1300 dollar clutch would not engage into second gear. Boy was I pissed. He said he would look at it as well.
Took my car to them today July 14 2006. They had it for a couple of hours and then called me back to tell me that it wasn't the thermostat sticking but the thermostat sensor that was shorting out and they have one on order, another week.
This car has been the biggest peice I have ever owned and now my original warranty is running out and I'm afraid that when it does I'm going to be spending BIG BUCKS on this sucker.
Someone tell me what to do if there is anything.
Brian
dothan, Alabama
U.S.A.
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15 Updates & Rebuttals
Kevin
Joelton,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Food for thought
#16Consumer Comment
Wed, August 16, 2006
Let's take this one step at a time.
You stated "Some kind of computer chip that was not covered under the warranty. Car had 60660 miles. They would not go back 660 miles to put it under the warranty. Had to pay 740 dollars." So, you wanted the dealership to knowingly and deliberately lie on your behalf? Doing this puts the dealership at more risk than you buying the rest of your cars from them as long as you live. So much for your credibility.
Then "On that following Friday I had the oil changed." Did you have this done at the dealership? I doubt it or you have have said as much. You don't patronize the dealership for service work but you expect them to lie for you?
Next "I tried to get them not to charge me for my clutch and call it even for not giving me a rental or loaner." You don't (or at least haven't said) you have any service work at the dealership and you want them to cover a rental for a problem that is due to the engine manufacturer?
I could go on but will only offer one suggestion, having work done at the dealership MAY be more expensive but it does come with benefits when this sort of thing happens. I can all but guarantee you they checked your service records prior to declining your request/demand for a loaner vehicle.
Just food for thought.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Does your insurance cover theft
#16Consumer Comment
Fri, July 21, 2006
If it does, I am sure some enterprising young lad will help you.
I'm just saying...
Brian
dothan,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Trying to get rid of it
#16Author of original report
Fri, July 21, 2006
I've been trying to get rid of it since the motor went out on it but its a no go. Can't sell it cause I owe more than its worth. Did inquire about the srt 4 and had it tricked out with the stage three turbo upgrade kit and everything but had a problem with financing. Thanks for the info though. I'm thinking that the only way out is to drive it head on into a tree and hope it don't kill me. If you all got any killer ideas I'm all ears.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Electrical parts aren't covered by any warranty
#16Consumer Comment
Thu, July 20, 2006
If you look at your warranty manual, you'll probably see the same thing every other manufacturer has...electrical system is covered for 90 days. This includes the alternator and starter. Granted, most will last 100K miles at least, but the mere fact the car makers don't warranty their own parts is very telling.
The Tiburon is a very nice LOOKING car, and can be made very quick with a little effort. The downside is it's still a Hyundai, and not known for it's quality of build. It was very common to have to replace water pumps every 6 months or so on the Excel, when they first came out. It took about 10 minutes.
I'd dump this loser ASAP. Get it fixed and sell it yourself. If you want a car that's sporty and reliable, look into the Dodge Neon SRT4, or any of the Japanese models. KIA is Indonesian(stay away), and Hyundai is Korean. If you can afford it, look at the Audi A4, or the Cooper(BMW).
When I get a chance, I'll post ALL of the TSB's and recalls for you, Brian.
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
So the SHARK won't start?
#16Consumer Comment
Thu, July 20, 2006
I wonder if it's the starter or did the motor take a dump. Robert, whatcha think? See, "The car ran hot." after being repaired. I'd think the dealer would have tested it and noticed it overheating before giving the car back to Brian.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Tiburon is Korean for "Shark"
#16Consumer Comment
Wed, July 19, 2006
It's a very fitting description if you think about it. They devour money, belong deep in the ocean, and should be avoided at all costs.
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
How do you stop the madness? You're doing it right now.
#16Consumer Comment
Wed, July 19, 2006
By telling other people of your experience they will be able to make better judgements, and MAYBE the manufacturer will start addressing the problems.
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
How do you stop the madness? You're doing it right now.
#16Consumer Comment
Wed, July 19, 2006
By telling other people of your experience they will be able to make better judgements, and MAYBE the manufacturer will start addressing the problems.
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
How do you stop the madness? You're doing it right now.
#16Consumer Comment
Wed, July 19, 2006
By telling other people of your experience they will be able to make better judgements, and MAYBE the manufacturer will start addressing the problems.
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
How do you stop the madness? You're doing it right now.
#16Consumer Comment
Wed, July 19, 2006
By telling other people of your experience they will be able to make better judgements, and MAYBE the manufacturer will start addressing the problems.
Brian
dothan,Alabama,
U.S.A.
More Problems
#16Author of original report
Tue, July 18, 2006
I have bad news went to crank my car to go to work this monday (7/17/06) and the car would not crank. The starter is gone. Called Mike Schmitz and also Frank Kerr who is the Disctict Rep in my area. They said it was not apart of the motor repair and was not covered under the warranty. See arlready more money for this piece of junk car.
How can we stop the madness?
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
Time to dump the car.
#16Consumer Comment
Sun, July 16, 2006
I don't work on those cars but I've towed a few of them to a mechanic friend. He told me that the engines "go out" at 60,000 miles. I personally know of three that did just that. I thought they had improved their cars but from the sounds of you post, they haven't. Too bad, because they are nice-looking vehicles.
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
Time to dump the car.
#16Consumer Comment
Sun, July 16, 2006
I don't work on those cars but I've towed a few of them to a mechanic friend. He told me that the engines "go out" at 60,000 miles. I personally know of three that did just that. I thought they had improved their cars but from the sounds of you post, they haven't. Too bad, because they are nice-looking vehicles.
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
Time to dump the car.
#16Consumer Comment
Sun, July 16, 2006
I don't work on those cars but I've towed a few of them to a mechanic friend. He told me that the engines "go out" at 60,000 miles. I personally know of three that did just that. I thought they had improved their cars but from the sounds of you post, they haven't. Too bad, because they are nice-looking vehicles.
Marc
Makaha,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
Time to dump the car.
#16Consumer Comment
Sun, July 16, 2006
I don't work on those cars but I've towed a few of them to a mechanic friend. He told me that the engines "go out" at 60,000 miles. I personally know of three that did just that. I thought they had improved their cars but from the sounds of you post, they haven't. Too bad, because they are nice-looking vehicles.