I was told today because of recall 200, Hyundai wants buy back our cars

[GPM432]

A philosophical statement, so feel free to skip
Before owning this Kona Electric, I was an exclusively Toyota guy and they just kept going and going and going with only minor maintenance. Truly the benefit of decades of high quality manufacturing of a well understood machine.

I see the battery recall frankly as only peripherally related to Hyundai because Chevy and other car manufacturers have had precisely the same issue with the same supplier. It's the same as when the Boeing 777 first came out and there were problems with battery fires. It stopped production and threatened the plane's viability for awhile... but then, it was resolved, the technology matured, and we've not heard of any lithium battery issues in planes since then. This is progress.

The Kona is still the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I continue to boost it to everyone who inevitably stops me, on a weekly basis!, and asks how I like it.
It's a joy to drive, it's useful and practical.

I'm still very grateful to be privileged enough to be in the position to be able to own one and I'm gonna fight like heck to make sure Hyundai keeps me as a customer, whether they like it or not. ;=)

I take the opposite opinion here. The battery replacement is a blessing to me. My Kona is the best car I have ever had and I have had a few. Except for the pain in the *** taking it in for recalls my car has run like a charm. To me the battery replacement is a bonus. It will be like a new car to me. Taking a buy back will be the worse thing one can do. If they say offered you a new Kona instead then that is different. So just think of the loss you will take on a low ball buy back and you still we have to find another car.

If you look at it in terms financially then your loss will be great. So I say take the new battery and consider it as a new car. The battery is the main component so you now have a new car. Your resale value should be higher then a regular 2019 or 2020 Kona . So I say take the new battery and run...

 

[Jamas]

I have little hope that they will make me a decent offer on mine. As I already ordered my Y, I'm not interested in another Hyundai.. I personally really have no issue with the way Hyundai is handling the recall.. My main reason why I'm getting rid of the Kona is not really related to the car or the recall but because it's getting too small for my family for road trips.. Adding to that, is the lack of range with 80% charge limit makes it impossible for me to drive the car to our summer vacation destination.. The reason why I opened a buy back case is mostly due to the reduced value because of the open recall. Tesla wouldn't even consider it as trade.. Resale value is super low because of the open recall.. This is my main issue.

The Kona serves my needs perfectly and is a joy to drive. Best car I ever owned from a driving experience perspective. When Hyundai customer service told me they will not be replacing the battery, my heart sank. So, what's our options? Right now I only see two: (1) Live with the 80% max charge and accept a significant hit to the car's value, or (2) buy back. I'd be willing to consider a swap with a 2021 model, but I don't think that option is on the table.

Regarding Tesla, do you plan on installing a Tesla-specific charger at home, or will you continue to use your portable J1772 charger with the Tesla adapter?

 

[SeanH]

So... I just talked to corporate Hyundai today and I'm sure this is going to cause a lot of confusion but they were very clear with me regarding US Kona Electrics:

1. It is NOT their plan to replace any batteries
2. Their solution at this time is to buy back affected 2019 Kona Electrics, including mine.

I'm just telling you what I was told. I was instructed to get P29 done (I have an appt. tomorrow) and that she'd get me my $200 gift card and then start the buyback process with me.

I was told several times that they have no plans at this time to replace the battery pack on these cars. So I said "are you saying my options are keep the car at 80% max charge forever, or sell it back?" and the answer was if I keep the car, in her opinion I would probably need to keep it at 80% max charge for the rest of the time I owned it.

I must admit I did not expect this at all. I expected them to offer me a loaner and if I wanted them to buyback the car I expected a fight. Rather, they were pushing to buy it back from the start. She said "if we put you in a loaner, I think you'd be in that car a very long time".

I just got off the phone with Hyundai to ask about the buy back vs. battery replacement. I don't know if the person I spoke with was confused/ill-informed or if her information was accurate, but she told me the following:
- Battery Replacement doesn't fix the problem so they will not be doing that
- Hyundai is looking into other solutions - so remedy is still unknown
- Hyundai is not currently initiating buy backs other than for customers who want it

So basically, this call created more questions for me than answers :-(

Can you guys post which number you called?

By the way I got an official letter from Hyundai today stating they want to buy the car back. I was told I would not hear from someone in that department for 5-10 business days though. Funny/not really funny, my rep called it an "offer letter" and said she emailed it to me while we were on the phone. I opened it, it's not an offer letter in the sense that it has a dollar figure, but only in the sense of they are officially stating they want to buy it back at this point.

If anyone wants to see what the letter said, here it is:

View attachment 11956

I assume you got this letter because of your call? How much haranguing did you have to do?

 

[FloridaSun]

The Kona serves my needs perfectly and is a joy to drive. Best car I ever owned from a driving experience perspective. When Hyundai customer service told me they will not be replacing the battery, my heart sank. So, what's our options? Right now I only see two: (1) Live with the 80% max charge and accept a significant hit to the car's value, or (2) buy back. I'd be willing to consider a swap with a 2021 model, but I don't think that option is on the table.

Regarding Tesla, do you plan on installing a Tesla-specific charger at home, or will you continue to use your portable J1772 charger with the Tesla adapter?

I'll use the J1772 with the Tesla provided J1772 adapter.. No reason to get the Tesla charger, especially because I only charge a few times per year at home. I mostly charge on free 50kw fast chargers or at free Level 2 chargers...

 

[GPM432]

The Kona serves my needs perfectly and is a joy to drive. Best car I ever owned from a driving experience perspective. When Hyundai customer service told me they will not be replacing the battery, my heart sank. So, what's our options? Right now I only see two: (1) Live with the 80% max charge and accept a significant hit to the car's value, or (2) buy back. I'd be willing to consider a swap with a 2021 model, but I don't think that option is on the table.

Regarding Tesla, do you plan on installing a Tesla-specific charger at home, or will you continue to use your portable J1772 charger with the Tesla adapter?

Jamis are you sure you aren't getting a new battery Have you entered your vin on the Hyundai website

 

[Jamas]

I'll use the J1772 with the Tesla provided J1772 adapter.. No reason to get the Tesla charger, especially because I only charge a few times per year at home. I mostly charge on free 50kw fast chargers or at free Level 2 chargers...

Will you still be able to charge at the free 50kW chargers? I thought Tesla adapter was J1772 only and not CCS.

 

[Jamas]

Jamis are you sure you aren't getting a new battery Have you entered your vin on the Hyundai website

I did and my car is affected by Recall 200. However, I think Hyundai is making the business decision not to replace batteries in the US (at least not for the 2019s). They just haven’t publicly communicated it yet, but will acknowledge that fact if you call and ask them.

 

[FloridaSun]

Will you still be able to charge at the free 50kW chargers? I thought Tesla adapter was J1772 only and not CCS.

I can charge the Tesla on Chademo.. Already bought the Chademo adapter. Most of the free 50kw chargers here have a Chademo Port.. I was actually lucky that I got the Chademo adapter before the car.. It's sold out right now and people on Ebay are charging hundreds of $$ more than the price on the Tesla website..

 

[GPM432]

I did and my car is affected by Recall 200. However, I think Hyundai is making the business decision not to replace batteries in the US (at least not for the 2019s). They just haven’t publicly communicated it yet, but will acknowledge that fact if you call and ask them.

Well you know the rumors have been flying so I wouldn't believe much until you get an official notice I got mine here in Canada

 

[Jamas]

Well you know the rumors have been flying so I wouldn't believe much until you get an official notice I got mine here in Canada

I assume this is more than a rumor considering Customer Service at Hyundai corporate told me flat out they will not be replacing my battery.

 

[FloridaSun]

I assume this is more than a rumor considering Customer Service at Hyundai corporate told me flat out they will not be replacing my battery.

Hmmmm.. they offered lifetime warranty on the battery.. They either have to compensate you appropriately, buy back the car or replace the battery.. They admitted that the batteries have a defect. So, their legal options are limited..

 

[KonaTom]

I assume this is more than a rumor considering Customer Service at Hyundai corporate told me flat out they will not be replacing my battery.

I contacted Hyundai Canada and here is what they replied:
"Hyundai Canada is working closely with the dealerships to get a fix as soon as possible. At this moment we ask that you stay connected with your dealership for further assistance with the Recalls as they will be able to provide you with any updates."
So they still plan to do the battery replacements in Canada, I guess.

 

[XtsKonaTrooper]

I contacted Hyundai Canada and here is what they replied:
"Hyundai Canada is working closely with the dealerships to get a fix as soon as possible. At this moment we ask that you stay connected with your dealership for further assistance with the Recalls as they will be able to provide you with any updates."
So they still plan to do the battery replacements in Canada, I guess.

I call bogus on dealing with the dealer as they say.
I spoke with my service guy yesterday and I know more about this stuff then him. He goes to him , yeah Hyundai wants us to buy a $10,000 lift to take the battery out and he can't see why they just can't a few lifts in the garage bay now. They are also dragging their heels to do the software updates in the mean time.
This stuff keeps up ill be publicly bringing them bad pr and let's see how fast they react then. I'm not keen when a place doesn't have a clue what's going on but if I went in to buy a brand new car, they would be right on top of that and phoning me every 5mins. Like any business , once they get your money, they don't gaf and here in Canada getting a buyback is almost non existent and they know that.

 

[Mattsburgh]

Can you guys post which number you called?


I assume you got this letter because of your call? How much haranguing did you have to do?

None. They want to buy the car back, that was their preference.

 

[XtsKonaTrooper]

None. They want to buy the car back, that was their preference.

Let us know, if they lowball ya.

 

[Mattsburgh]

Let us know, if they lowball ya.

Oh I absolutely will let you know either way. I strongly suspect the offer will be quite good and in fact I did see a post on FB from someone who has completed the process and sold his car back. He stated: "you will get all your money back minus mileage usage. The process is slow. It took 10 weeks since Hyundai approved the buy back. I have to call them like every week to push them about my case."

He did not say what the mileage deduction was and I asked and he avoided answering by just saying look at the state's lemon law and that is the calculation they use, supposedly.

 

[Chris Alemany]

I take the opposite opinion here. The battery replacement is a blessing to me. My Kona is the best car I have ever had and I have had a few. Except for the pain in the *** taking it in for recalls my car has run like a charm. To me the battery replacement is a bonus. It will be like a new car to me. Taking a buy back will be the worse thing one can do. If they say offered you a new Kona instead then that is different. So just think of the loss you will take on a low ball buy back and you still we have to find another car.

If you look at it in terms financially then your loss will be great. So I say take the new battery and consider it as a new car. The battery is the main component so you now have a new car. Your resale value should be higher then a regular 2019 or 2020 Kona . So I say take the new battery and run...

I completely agree with you. I will hear what they have to say as far as buyback but I am not expecting much. I totally agree that either the battery replacement or full warranty replacement of the car are both far superior options. The former option definitely seems to be on the table (and if it gets pulled Hyundai will hear from me) and I am going to pursue the latter once I know more details on the situation. I'm going to make an appointment with our dealer next week for a chat.

 

[XtsKonaTrooper]

I completely agree with you. I will hear what they have to say as far as buyback but I am not expecting much. I totally agree that either the battery replacement or full warranty replacement of the car are both far superior options.

I agree completely, waiting 10 weeks and then having to find another electric vehicle is another task. If that's the case, I might just sink more in debt by having to pay more money and just go buy a Tesla and Hyundai can go screw themselves. In my lifetime 80% of my vehicles have been Hyundai but I don't see the customer loyalty factor kicking in here. I'm just glad I got an ice convertible, so if I have to go without an electric till I get another one cuz that will not be an overnight task.
My problem is , they've known about this for awhile and are dragging their heels in order to solve the issue.

 

[MSimpsonNJ]

Oh I absolutely will let you know either way. I strongly suspect the offer will be quite good and in fact I did see a post on FB from someone who has completed the process and sold his car back. He stated: "you will get all your money back minus mileage usage. The process is slow. It took 10 weeks since Hyundai approved the buy back. I have to call them like every week to push them about my case."

He did not say what the mileage deduction was and I asked and he avoided answering by just saying look at the state's lemon law and that is the calculation they use, supposedly.

Just FYI, here is the Lemon Law calculation used in New Jersey, in case anyone is interested. Your state may be different.

 

[Chris Alemany]

Just FYI, here is the Lemon Law calculation used in New Jersey, in case anyone is interested. Your state may be different.
View attachment 11973

Your post made me wonder about Canadian Lemon Laws, which we do not have, but we do have the CAMVAP Arbitration process which I assume is what is being referred to in the Hyundai warranty booklet when they talk about no cost arbitration if an agreement can't be made (and you don't want to take them to court). So there is good news and bad news.

Bad news: It looks like unless you can convince Hyundai Canada on its own to provide you a warranty replacement of the car, that option is not on the table for Canadians through this arbitration process. The largest remedy is buyback.

Good news: They do provide a buyback calculator https://www.camvap.ca/online-buyback-calculator/~english which might be handy for us to use to at least gauge the offers from our dealers/Hyundai Canada. A quick punch in of numbers for my 2019 Preffered came to $40,000. I wasn't sure if I should include the fed/prov rebates or not.

I continue to lean toward battery replacement as the better value if it fixes the problem and restores full charge.