GTcarz - Automotive forums for cars & trucks. - First problem

On Sun, 09 Mar 2008 09:21:25 -0500, unkadunk <unkadunk@nothere.com>
wrote:

>For over a year now my Elantra has run flawlessly, started every time.
>I've tolerated the 65mph vibration plague, the 21mpg in town, the slow 1-
>2 gear shifting automatic, skipping cd's, because it just seems to be a
>good basic but cheap car, and I saved several thousand over the Corolla
>or Civic I was initially going to buy. Also wound up buying my wife a
>'07 Tucson a few months later after I bought mine, for a really good
>deal. First Hyundai's.
>
>But now I'm getting concerned about the future. Took it in to the dealer
>for it's second oil change and to check a clicking sound that was coming
>from the rear brake area. It has 5300 miles on it. After a couple of
>hours shopping I went back to check on the car. The service person told
>me the rear brakes were worn out, and it would be $287.50 to fix them, as
>the 1 year warranty had run out.
>
>After a low-key but very serious discussion of what the heck are brakes
>doing wearing out at 5000 miles, would I be doing this every 5000 miles,
>is it normal, then management consulted, no situation change. I told them
>forget it, put the car back together, and I was going to write Hyundai. I
>did get the oil changed though at least.
>
>I've rarely used the emergency brake in the flatland here, it doesn't
>seem tight or draggy, and I don't do any drifting as I'm an old fart. :)
>Monday I'm going to take it to a garage nearby and ask them to evaluate
>and if cheaper than the dealer, fix the brakes. Any suggestion on what
>brand/type of shoes to use that might last longer? Also is it Hyundai of
>America I write to, any specific address?
>
>I'm concerned for the future as my previous three Toyotas and Honda's,
>all had over 50,000 miles on them(two over 80,000) and I never had to
>replace any brakes, only batteries and one repair between the three. I
>know I've had a long run of very good luck with virtually no car
>problems, and was hoping it would continue with the Hyundai's.
>
>Thanks for any info!

I had a similar situation on my wifes 05 Elantra GT. Long story short,
I went in for a super low brake pedal. They said rear brakes. I said
doubt it. I went home and replaced rear pads myself. They were not
worn. I still haver the originals for proof. I wrote letter to Hyundai
and went back to dealer. They gave me new (7 miles!) Sonata as loaner
and kept the car two weeks. They ended up putting in a new master
cylinder. They were lucky I did not sue them because they sent me home
the first time with a bad master cylinder as I originally suspected it
was. Car has been OK since. Dealer sucks but is local. I don't ever
use any dealer unless absolutely necessary.

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