Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Ingtonge18 - No I was not wearing my seatbelt. I have a colostomy (beats cancer) and the belt cuts right across this appliance occasionally causing a bit of a mess. I carry a letter from my physician pertaining to this problem in my car. Oddly enough though, given that I was going on a short trip in bad weather I decided to use the belt yet be vigilant in checking to insure that it did not cause a prolem. I had gone only about one mile after stopping for gas when the accident occured and had yet to put the belt back on. My wife, who was also in the car, WAS wearing her seatbelt yet it did not deploy either.
Lastly, I am not trying to slam Hyundai. My initial post was tempered by the way I was treated when I contacted Hyundai. Except for the dealer and air leaks around the windows, I have been generally pleased with the car. I have been very forthright about everything and have deliberately tried to report the good and bad about the car and Hyundai. I strongly believe that the airbag on my car was flawed, the question is, am I correct, and if so is the safety of others also comprimised?
It sounds like the system sensors were either defective (re: the Air Bag Light) or that they were turned off.
Your accident as described should have called for deployment. Center or offset, full flat frontal or whatever, at that kind of speed and impact the bags should deploy period. Any car that severs a telephone pole in half should have bags deploy IMHO. I know the manufacturers have to balance the belt protection with the bags so that unneccessary deployments are avoided but it is the insurance companies who pay for re-installation. (Er, make that all of us premium payers)
If you haven't already done so, you need to fill out a NHTSA report and put it on the record.
As to Hyundai Customer Service, I think it's hit or miss, like most things. The particular phone advisor in your case needs to find new employment. At least Hyundai America acted properly when the word was passed along and took your report seriously. Anytime there's even the POSSIBILITY of liability, smart companies get on the ball. Dumb ones stick their heads in the sand.
As I read the posts about the rules under which airbags may or may not deploy I was reminded of my own biggest complaint about car makers in general and Hyundai specifically, the difficulty in finding good technical information about the vehicle behavior and characteristics. For example a Hyundai mechanic told me that the XG throttle is controlled electronically (sort of a virtual cable) and that if for any reason the virtual cable 'breaks' that the engine would run at a specific rpm to allow you to drive it home. While this is probably not likely to happen, it's useful information that might be of value to the vehicle owner. I also would like to have more specific information on the characteristics of the variable front shocks and the transmission fuzzy logic, but it's nowhere to be found. I doubt it would take much to produce a technical FAQ and put it online, so no doubt the lawyers are to blame here.
Regarding service quality, I'm lucky that I've got a choice of dealers in the Atlanta area. The dealer that I bought the car from also sells Acura and the dealer that I have my car serviced at (Saturday service) also sells Audi and Porsche. I have no doubt that the service attitudes at the dealership overall were influenced by their selling cars where people demand very good service. It was kind of funny to listen to the service reps telling me that they get penalized if I fill out the follow-up Hyundai service survey with 'very good" instead of "excellent", but the whole service survey approach resulted in excellent service. No doubt there was some financial incentive involved.
I third your comments about the Toyota and Honda sedans. I did find the Avalon to be a very strong contender but over priced (Toyota you can thank the Southeast region franchise 'tax" for losing that sale. I actually put a offer out on a Avalon before the XG came to market).
I do like the Avalon but the price is too dear when cars like the XG are so available. I look forward to the 350 and am glad to see Hyundai using only the latest vehicles in its' brochures even down to the 2003 Tibby.
I drive carefully. Others don't! I can't keep them off the road. They can hit me. Thus active and passive safety features are important. Give me active features like Brake Assist and EBD. And give me passive features like side curtain airbags. That way when a deer or drunk driver hits me, I might live.
While is is correct that there are some safety features not available on the XG when compared to a Camry, in some case the XG comes with standard safety features that you must pay extra for on at least some Toyotas. While I will admit my ignorance as to Camry's standard features, I can tell you that one major reason that I purchased an XG over and Avalon or Highlander, both of which I strongly considered, is because side air bags were not standard on either Toyota. In this respect, Toyota is lagging behind.
I reiterate that Camrys are well built, but overpriced, bland, and nearly impossible to differentiate between all of the other earth toned, black trimmed, ugly little cars we have today. Camry interiors are particularly uninspiring, looking more like they belong on a $12,000 Focus instead of a car often costing at twice that much or more. To be fair, I also considered a Maxima but the interior was nearly as stark as that of the Camry.
From a style/design/color perspective automobiles have been going backward for nearly half a century, though have however excelled in mileage, power, and safety. Wouldn't it be nice if we could have both?
Had to drive 200 miles to get it because there were none left in the Kansas City area. I got a 60 month loan at 0% APR. I still can't beleive 0%. I paid about $500 below MSRP and my payments are under $400 a month, I feel I got a great deal. No complaints so far.
Toyota does miss boat by not having roadside assistance during warranty!
Not sure what to make of the 3.5L V-6 or 5-speed automatic. The published acceleration figures for the XG300 were middle of road at best, and the output figures for the 3.5L engine aren't even close to what Nissan gets from 3.5Ls (240 HP Altima or 255 HP) Maxima or Honda gets from 3.2Ls (TL-Type S)!!! Toyota's 3.0L engine puts out almost as much HP as the 3.5L
XG350 still lacks serious safety equipment for their top-of-the-line car and goodies like Nav system. Can't you get the Nav system in Korean versions?
Am hoping Hyundai added some new equipment to XG350 to bring it in line with its intended stature at top of Hyundai's line up.
It is also interesting to note that, in both accidents., XG's structural design has saved passengers, leaving no broken nose or ribs. Somehow, XG has absorbed and dissipated most of the impact energy (at the speeds of around 30 miles per hour for Sobright1 (with no seatbelt !) and around 60 miles per hour for dst5 (presumably with seat belt on)) at around the bumper and in front of engine. And much of those impact energy was not transmitted to the cabin and protected the passengers well from serious injury. Had it been transmitted to the driver;s seat, by now, passenger and drivers's faces and foreheads might have needed intensive cosmetic surgery due to collision against the windshield or passengers could have ended up with broken necks very easily.
If this was an outcome of the advanced design technology of Hyundai, we should all praise the outstanding achievement of Hyundai auto design center. Due to the VERY advanced structural design including impact dynamics, their cars have saved the passengers from deadly impacts, even without the airbag deployed. I have never heard of such advanced design elements on most of cars in the market, other than new BMW5 series that has five star marks on the side impact protection even without the need for side-protection-airbag.
from the potentially serious injury.
sobright1 and dst5; hope you have your cars back quickly ! I feel that this puzzling issue of air-bag should be solved by Hyundai to your complete satisfaction. At the same time, I feel now more comfortable with XG300 that it's structure showed extremely good protection for you.
safe driving !
from Bluefox
See www.carbuyingtips.com/warranty.htm
By the way, I hope to get my car back by the end of this week if all goes well. Until I hear an update on the airbag issue though I will be apprehensive about its safety. If the explanation is not soon forthcoming, logical, and satisfactory I will be forced to trade the car and find another manufacturer.
Yea I just hope they total it. I will go buy a 2002 XG350 though I still love the car.
I understand there are no real criteria and that mfg can't be held responsible if air bags do not go off in an accident.
Can you, please, take on the air bag issue with Hyundai Motor America?
Please drop them a line - they listen to Edmunds.
Thanks in advance - it will be for their and our benefit.
Carspy01
I just re-read sobrights post 2nd post regarding the accident. The information that I just presented about the HEAD-ON collisions came from the "Third Report to Congress on Effectiveness of Occupant Protection Systems and Their Use by the NHTSA US Dept of Transportation." Your accident was quite severe and I'm sure visually it looked extremely severe (broken telephone pole). However hitting a telephone pole at 35 MPH is VERY different (in terms of severity of the force of impact) from a HEAD-ON collision with a similar car (ie Camry, Avalon, Accord etc.) at 20 - 30 MPH. I am not belittling your accident but I feel that the force of impact did not warrant the airbags to deploy. (Notice the MPH difference between a stationary object: the brick wall and a car (since it will rebound after collision) **Brick wall: Min: 10 Max: 15 Similar Car: Min:20 Max: 30 Difference: Min: 10 Max: 15** We could assume that a HEAD-ON collision with a foot wide (assumption on diameter) telephone pole would require a range of 45 - 55 MPH to deploy the airbags.
Ultimately, I'm glad both of you were not seriously injured. I know I was very thankful that I didn't get hurt.
Keep us posted!
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
Here is what they want me to supply within 14 days for them to do anything.
1.Photos front side and rear, engine compartment,front and rear interior and VIN plate
2. Records of payments to insurance company.
3.Itemized list of damages you are claiming....
4.A description of the hyundai vehicle
5.all reports indicating the cause of the accident
6.date location and details of the accident including usage of the vehicle prior to the accident
7. Purchase documents or bill of sale
8.Repair and maintanince documents
9. Signed owner authorization request
I think this is a load of poo poo (is that clean enough for you?)
What do you folks think about Hyundai's request for information?
In order to morbilise their resources to investigate your request, they would need the authenticity of your request, the technical details of your cars, maintenance records and the detailed description, etc etc etc etc. This is not to make your life un-necessarily hard, but to deal with your request properly and professionally. I would encourage you to grabb the info and diapatch them to Hyundai as soon as possible. Once it has been done, the ball would then be in their court. You would then be able to keep telephoning every morning to bother them !
We need to show Hyundai that their customers are diligent and assertive... I remeber that one member of SantaFe club was so diligent in pursuing his problem of 40mph glitch, a top executive officer (presumably president) of Hyundai America called him and they had a very encouraging discussion in the end. This particular Hyundai owner was extremely happy after that and his problem was solved by reloading a new computer software. To him, his complete satisfaction and peace came, after he had exerted his portion of hard work. I am sure that it is a tiring work to deal with a big corporate. I appreciate it fully. However, I trust that you would be willing to exert every single drop of your energy to fight for what you want from them.
All the best !
Bluefox from winter mountain
Regarding the several posts explaining airbag functionality. I appreciate your arguments and you may very well be correct. Perhaps the airbags are not designed to go off in a crash such as mine. However, as a computer programmer myself who worked his way through college putting Honda Motorcycles together, I can tell you that I am neither ignorant of mechanical devices nor micro processors. Simply put, for my tastes, if the airbags are functioning properly as per Hyundai's specifications, then they need new specifications.
Also, in the manual is says when I have my seats set to auto, the drivers seat will back up when you pull your key from the ignition and move forward when you put your key into the ignition. So you can get in and out easier, I have no problem getting in or out, but I just wondered why its not working, or if im doing something wrong.
My trunk isn't hooked up to the alarm, does that cost extra to be hooked up?
A rock hid the hood of my car going down the highway, and I left a very small chip, any advice on the best way to fix that?
Besides those few minor inconveiences I love the Car. About 600 miles on it now, and I can't wait for it to get cold out so I can put my heated seats to use. I feel i got a great deal on the car, with 0.0% financing. The Black does seem hard to keep clean.
Brian
There have been previous posts regarding the power seat moving all the way back when you take the key out. The only way it works is if you engage the parking brake first. I personally don't use the parking brake much, but if you just lightly TOUCH the parking brake pedal so the little red light comes on (on the instrument panel) the seat function will work fine and the brake is really not engaged. Just a little work-around for those of us who don't want to use the parking brake.
Good luck with your new XG... I still love mine at 8,700 miles!
Brian (also)
Csandste, are you talking about the December issue of Car and Driver?
And was it XG350?
2. Camry
3. Altima
4. XG350 (I'm sure, altho. I didn't check, other cars were 02's)
5. Intrepid
6. Impala
7. Taurus
8. Regal
This is from memory but I think I have it right.
You will notice that two of the top three vehicles are SE versions (Camry and Altima) with naturally gobs more of what these clowns both prefer and state categorically in the article...better handling and road feel. Gee, what a difficult decision. I believe an LE version of the Camry would have been more in line with the nature of the other contestants. The Altima V-6 only seems available as an SE.
The top winner is the LX variant of Accord...a perennial top 10 choice by Car and Driver. Gee (again), I wonder if they could ever pick any car over their obvious favorite? Duh!
Yet despite all of this baggage, the XG350 is a solid choice as a family sedan with no special tweaking required. Just look at the acceleration #'s and then consider the quality and standard features for the price. For my money this is an absolute no-brainer.
Car and Driver is a publication for enthusiasts, as such they will give high consideration to performance and it was here that the XG350 fell down. They did say it was a wonderful car as long as you drove it at 6/10ths of flat out and also praised quality and construction. Personally I'm suprised that they didn't put the Altima on top of the list, but then I've never driven that either.
On balance, I thought their review of the XG350 was most favorable. They clearly had it ahead of all of the American cars including past favorite (although not top rated) Intrepid.
TC.So the owner in Milwaukee is already,all
set for the snow.Ugh! at the tought of Midwest
winters.
Given the publication, I think that the C&D article was favorable. I would concur with cansdte's post in that they hate anything that does not have a sport suspension and handles like a Vett. It is these same "experts" that are responsible for the bland no-chromed, colorless, look alike models (Accords and Camrys) we are stuck with today.
As an update to my airbag/repair issues. The car is still in the shop. For about the fourth time the local dealer apparently ordered the wrong window stripping part. While this was not related to the accident, I asked them to fix it while they had it. It took them four days. Hyundai has still given me no indication as to why the airbags did not deploy. However, when the body shop took it to the dealer to find out why the Traction Control and Check Engine lights were on they found a broken exhaust gas temperature gage, obviously from the impact, and they also replaced the traction control under warranty. Sure makes you wonder what the heck was wrong with it and whether or not it contributed to the fact that I seemed to slide forever before striking the pole.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board