DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 250 – Richard J. from St. Louis, MO
Dear Suzanne,
I knew buying a used car had its risks, but I never expected to be in this situation. Like most people, I was expecting a few minor hiccups with a used vehicle, but I never imagined things would go this wrong. Two months into owning my 2024 Hyundai Tucson, the turbo blew out. Shortly after, I discovered the car’s engine had been replaced before, but there’s no record of that. Since then, I’ve learned more and more about the car’s issues, and it feels like the dealer sold me anything but a reliable vehicle. Now, I’m just hoping for some justice in all of this.
Turbo Trouble and Engine Mystery
I bought my 2024 Hyundai Tucson used and certified pre-owned on January 19, 2024. For the first couple of months, everything seemed fine. Then, less than two months later, the turbo blew out without warning. One minute I’m driving smoothly, and the next, my car is spitting out white smoke like an old steam engine. I had to call a tow truck to get it to the repair shop.
That’s when things got strange. The Hyundai dealership took a look and said, “Oh, we told the previous owner they needed a new engine.” But guess what? There’s no record of any engine replacement. The engine in my car wasn’t even the original, which raised a lot of red flags. When the dealer saw this, they refused to touch the car, leaving me stuck.
Dealing with the Dealership’s “Not Our Problem” Response
I called the dealership where I bought the car, but their first response was, “Not our problem.” After a lot of persistence and frustration, their general manager finally agreed to take a look at it. I took my Tucson to their lot, but when I showed up in person, things only got worse. The staff were rude, dismissive, and completely clueless about what to do next. They even suggested I just take the car back, despite the turbo being blown, the mysterious engine, and all the other issues. At that point, I was exhausted.
Eventually, I found a reliable mechanic who could fix the car, but I had to leave it at the shop for almost three months. While it was finally fixed, I couldn’t help but wonder what other issues were lurking under the hood.
The Bumper That Acts Like a Chameleon
After finally getting my Tucson back, I noticed something odd. The bumper was a different color from the rest of the car. It wasn’t glaringly obvious, but in certain lighting, it stood out like a sore thumb. That’s when it hit me—could this car have been in an accident that wasn’t reported?
Considering the unreported engine replacement, the turbo failure so soon, and now the mismatched bumper, it felt like my Tucson had a hidden past. I started to feel like I had been scammed by the dealer. What other secrets could this car be hiding?
Hyundai’s Forward Collision System Fails to Work Properly
As if all of that wasn’t enough, my Tucson also has a major issue with its forward collision system. This system is supposed to help prevent accidents, but instead, it’s trying to cause them. Twice, my car has slammed the brakes to a full stop on an open road, with no danger in sight. The first time, I thought it was just a glitch, but the second time, I was nearly rear-ended.
I reported the issue to the dealership, but they couldn’t replicate it. They also couldn’t help me turn it off, except to temporarily disable it. The problem is, every time I restart the car, the system reactivates, forcing me to manually turn it off again. It’s incredibly frustrating and dangerous.
The Hybrid Power Control System Problem
Now, to top it all off, I’ve been dealing with another issue. It’s been two weeks since I last saw my car because of a new problem with the “Hybrid Power Control System.” The dealer initially thought removing the LoJack would fix it, but it didn’t. I picked up my car, only for the warning message to come right back. Now, the dealership has to remove the dashboard and contact Hyundai tech support to try and fix it. I just hope their solution is better than the last one.
Can Lemon Law Help Me?
This is my first Hyundai, and I’m so stressed out that I can’t imagine ever buying one again. Between all the repairs, replacements, and the things I’m still finding out about my car, I’m sure its value has dropped. So, I need to know if I have any options. Does the Lemon Law apply to my situation, especially since I bought the car certified pre-owned? And will a lawyer be willing to take my case without charging me up front?
Richard J.
St. Louis, MO
What Missouri Lemon Law Might Do for Your 2024 Hyundai Tucson’s Persistent Problems
Hi Richard,
I can imagine how stressful this situation must feel. It’s incredibly disheartening when you expect to get a reliable vehicle and instead end up with your 2024 Hyundai Tucson that’s full of issues—and not just any issues, but ones that seem to point to something much deeper.
From a blown turbo and a mystery engine replacement to the troubling forward collision system, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot already, and you deserve answers and a solution to this mess.
Does Missouri Lemon Law Apply to My Situation?
You’re right to wonder if Missouri Lemon Law could help in your situation. In Missouri, the Lemon Law applies to both new and used vehicles, but there are some key requirements for it to be applicable.
If your 2024 Hyundai Tucson was purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle, it could potentially qualify, but it depends on a few factors. Missouri law states that the car must have had substantial defects or a series of repairs under warranty that affect its safety, use, or value. If you’ve had significant repair attempts on the turbo, the engine, and now issues with the hybrid system and collision detection system, these might meet the criteria for Lemon Law.
Under Missouri law, you would need to have given the dealership a reasonable opportunity to fix the vehicle. This usually means that the car must have been in the shop for repairs multiple times for the same problem or that the car was out of service for an extended period (usually over 30 days) within the first year or 12,000 miles. Based on what you’ve shared, it sounds like you may have a solid case, especially since you’ve had to leave the car at the repair shop for so long and the issues seem to be ongoing.
Can a Lawyer Help Me Without Paying Upfront?
Regarding your concern about finding a lawyer who won’t demand payment upfront, the answer is yes. There are many consumer protection attorneys who specialize in Lemon Law cases, and they often work on a contingency fee basis. This means they get paid only if you win the case. This could be a great option for you, especially considering the significant repairs and issues your vehicle has already had. A lawyer could help you understand your rights more clearly and assist in making sure you’re not stuck with a car that continues to have problems.
Time to Get a Resolution
The Missouri Lemon Law exists to protect consumers like you who have been sold a car that just won’t live up to its promises. I truly believe you have options here—whether it’s through the Lemon Law or working with an attorney who can advocate for your rights. If you decide to pursue this, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You’ve already fought hard, and now it’s time for you to get a resolution.
Suzanne
Editor’s Note: The letter above has been edited for clarity, and personally identifiable details like names and actual locations have been changed to protect the letter sender’s privacy.
End Your 2024 Hyundai Tucson Lemon Car Woes Today!
Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about Texas’ lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (833) 743-1990 to discuss your situation with someone who understands how frustrating it can be to have a lemon car, and what to do about it.
DEAR SUZANNE is a weekly column written by Suzanne Henderson and published in LemonLawyers.ORG. If you have a defective lemon vehicle and have questions about Missouri Lemon Law or how to file a claim, please write to [email protected]. While not guaranteed, we will try to feature your letter in this column to provide you the answers you need, as well as enlighten other consumers who may have lemon problems similar to yours.
Disclaimer: Suzanne Henderson is not a lawyer and the points discussed here are intended for general information and reference purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult a Missouri Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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Featured Images:
- 2024 Hyundai Tucson ©HJUdall (CC BY 1.0 Universal)
