A MAN’S car has been sitting at a dealership for months after he was denied coverage when his new car’s engine failed – and they blamed him for the problem.
The driver bought an extended warranty for his 2022 Hyundai Elantra N but was still told that the damage couldn’t be helped because he “over-revved” his engine.
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra N, the car that Christian Matzoros drives[/caption]
Hyundai told Matzoros that the warranty didn’t cover the damage done to his car because it was due to ‘misuse’ (stock image)[/caption]
College student Christian Matzoros, 20, said he paid extra for an extended warranty when he bought the car two years ago, expecting multiple years of coverage as Hyundai’s plans can last up to 15 years.
In June, Matzoros’ new car gave up as it was driving on the highway – with just 28,583 miles on the odometer.
“It just stopped. I was stepping on the gas pedal and it wasn’t moving,” Matzoros told CTV News.
He took the car to a local Hyundai dealership, which determined the car had been abused because the engine red-lined, or hit its maximum speed, multiple times and caused damage to the vehicle.
Matzoros admitted he took the car racing at a local motorsports park multiple times, but he maintains that didn’t cause the engine to fail.
“The car has been to the track, but that is not when this incident occurred,” the driver said.
“I was driving home when it blew up.”
He defended the red-lining by saying he bought the 2022 model specifically because it was the sport model.
“It is their track model and it is designed for the track and track use. It has a two litre turbo and it’s equipped with a six speed manual transmission,” Matzoros said.
He later added in a TikTok, “You’re telling me you made a track car and you expect it not to be redlined? It’s not really fair.”
A spokesperson for Hyundai Canada told CTV News that the dealership “thoroughly investigated” the issue by reviewing the car’s engine data.
“It was determined the engine experienced conditions exceeding its designed operational limits, resulting in significant mechanical failure,” Hyundai Canada said.
The spokesperson said the vehicle’s warranty doesn’t cover damage due to excessive engine revving because it points to improper use.
“The warranty for Hyundai vehicles covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal usage conditions,” the spokesperson explained.
Hyundai Canada’s statement
A Hyundai Canada spokesperson shared the following statement with CTV News:
“Hyundai Canada has conducted a thorough investigation into the matter involving Mr. Matzoros’ Elantra N,” Hyundai Canada told CTV News Toronto.
“After reviewing the vehicle’s engine data, which was retrieved through the Engine Control Unit (ECU) – a system that monitors and records engine performance for diagnostic purposes – it was determined the engine experienced conditions exceeding its designed operational limits, resulting in significant mechanical failure.
“These findings point to excessive engine revving, which falls outside the coverage of the vehicle’s warranty due to improper use.
“The warranty for Hyundai vehicles covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal usage conditions.
“Damage caused by misuse, including exceeding the vehicle’s mechanical limits, is not covered.
“In this instance, the excessive stress caused by significantly exceeding the maximum recommended RPMs on multiple occasions falls outside the warranty parameters.
“We have provided a full explanation to Mr. Matzoros regarding the cause of the issue and the reasons for this decision.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Hyundai Canada for comment.
“Damage caused by misuse, including exceeding the vehicle’s mechanical limits, is not covered.”
Hyundai Canada said the red-lining caused “excessive stress” on the vehicle.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Hyundai Canada for comment.
COSTLY REPAIRS
Matzoros says it’ll cost him $10,000, which is about $7,400 in US dollars, plus tax to repair the engine.
The car has been sitting at the Hyundai dealership for three months.
“My car still sits blown up,” Matzoros told The U.S. Sun.
“I don’t have the funds nor wat to pay but I will fight as much as I can.”
Matzoros told CTV News he was worried the car might also be under recall for a high-pressure fuel pump.
Despite being denied, he still thinks Hyundai should repair his engine.
“I want Hyundai to cover this motor, especially because I did purchase the extended warranty and $10,000 is a lot of money,” Matzoros said.
Matzoros’ worries about the recalled high-pressure fuel pump come as Chevrolet is paying out a $35 million settlement to customers due to the same faulty part.
