Purchased a new palisades 9 months ago and had dealership add hitch and oem brake controller cable to hyundia harness under dash at time of purchase ( to keep from having warrantee problems) . Car battery failed at 9000 miles and after jump starting brough to dealership.
Service is now saying battery can not be covered under warranty because the oem electric brake cable harness was installed ( can not test car) Hyundia does not offer electrtic brake harness for electric brake controllers. Electric brake cable harness is fine, battery is bad. After much argument got sales to agree to cover battery.
Has anyone else had this problem with warranty service? do not want to have this arguement each time I bring in the car for a warranty item.
This is a classic and unfortunately common issue, and you've hit on the key frustration that many consumers face. While it is true that you were able to resolve it, your concern about having to fight this battle for every future warranty claim is completely valid. Here's a breakdown of what happened and how to avoid it moving forward:
The Dealership's Incorrect Claim
The dealership's assertion that the "OEM electric brake cable harness" voids the battery warranty is incorrect for a couple of reasons:
1. It is against the law. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a consumer protection law that prevents manufacturers from automatically denying a warranty claim simply because an
aftermarket part has been installed. The dealer has to prove that the
aftermarket part *caused* the failure of the original part. In your case, they would have had to prove that the brake controller harness caused the battery to fail, which is a very difficult, if not impossible, claim to make.
2. The part you installed was a Hyundai part. You specifically stated that the dealership installed an "OEM" cable. While it's true that Hyundai does not offer a factory-integrated brake controller, they do offer an OEM wiring harness designed to work with
aftermarket brake controllers. The dealership's argument that they can't test the car because a Hyundai-sold part was installed is nonsensical.
Why This Happens
Dealerships sometimes use these tactics for a few reasons:
- Profit: They might want to avoid a warranty claim, which is a less profitable repair for them than a customer-pay repair.
- Misinformation: The service advisor may not be fully trained on the complexities of the warranty and the Magnuson-Moss Act and may default to a more restrictive interpretation of the rules.
- Easy Out: Blaming a modification is an easy way for them to deny a claim and get you to pay for the repair without having to do a more in-depth diagnosis.
Your Solution and Path Forward
You did the right thing by escalating the issue. Here's how you can prepare for future warranty claims and avoid these arguments:
1. Document Everything: Keep a record of every interaction with the dealership, including names of the people you spoke with, dates, and times. This documentation was a key part of your success in getting the battery covered.
2. Reference the Law: If you ever face this again, calmly and politely mention the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The phrase "Can you please show me in writing where the manufacturer states that this part is the cause of the failure, per the Magnuson-Moss Act?" can often make a service manager change their tune.
3. Contact Hyundai Corporate: If the dealership ever gives you a hard time again, do not waste time arguing. Immediately contact Hyundai's corporate customer service line. Explain the situation, and they will create a case file for you. Hyundai Corporate has the authority to intervene and instruct the dealership to honor the warranty, as they are ultimately the ones who will be paying for the repair.
4. Change Dealerships: If a specific dealership is consistently giving you trouble, it might be worth it to find a different one for your warranty service, even if it's a bit of a drive. A good dealership will understand the warranty terms and will advocate for you with the manufacturer, rather than against you.
You had the foresight to have the dealer install the part to avoid this exact problem, so you are well within your rights to demand that they honor their end of the deal.
