1. Vehicle/Owner details:-
Model: FLUIDIC VERNA VTVT SX(O) AT 1.6 BSIV
Registration Number: KL 48 D 8878
Engine Number: G4FCBU316302
Chassis Number: MALCU41DMCM088798H
Colour: Crystal White
Date of delivery: 18/10/2012
Delivered by: MCP Hyundai, Thrithalloor, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
Age: Just over 1 year
Service done: Three

2. History of my new car Verna SX(O) AT-Petrol:-
a. Upto 15000 kms, no complaints, excellent driving experience.
b. At 15000 kms, various problems [overheating, hot air from driver side a/c vents, water-flowing-like sound from the engine room, less pulling power, heating of the central and lower front portion of the cabin, etc.] were noticed and on 19-06-2013, the car was thoroughly checked up by M/s.MCP Hyundai, Thrissur and nothing identified.
c. I had to use the car daily, experiencing the same problems.
d. At 16000 kms, the problems/complaints aggravated and I had to stop the car when the overheating lamp lit in the DIS panel. Online help was taken and only after following their instructions, I could move the car. The vehicle was taken to M/s. Apco Hyundai-Kozhikode on 08/07 & 14/07/2013 and they also could not find any fault after verification for two days.
e. At 17000 kms, again vehicle was checked by Apco Hyundai-Kozhikode from 16/07 to 20/07/2013 and they were not able to identify anything after inspecting/driving the car for five days.
f. Again the car was given to M/s.Apco Hyundai-Kozhikode on 31/07/2013 for rectifying the same problems. They had replaced the Radiator and tested the car for three days.
g. Again from 22/08 to 25/08/2013, the car was serviced/checked by experts at M/s.Apco Hyundai-Kozhikode and they conducted pressure testing and entire dashboard was dismantled/refitted.
h. From 2/9 to 6/9/2013 also the car was checked by M/s.Apco, when given for replacing one partly broken break lamp and scratched back bumper; and they couldn’t identify the root cause.
i. Engine was dismantled and gasket replaced and the car was serviced by M/s.Apco from 03/10 to 25/10/2013 for rectifying the same problems/complaints; but problems were not rectified, even though the car was with the dealer for 23 days.
j. On 06/11/2013, the car was verified by experts at M/s.KTC Hyundai, Kannur and they also couldn’t identify the reasons.
l
k. Again, from 13/11 to 15/11/2013 also, the car was checked by M/s.Aapco and they couldn’t solve the issues.
m. I was strangled at Thrissur [another city from my home-town] on 23-11-2013 with my family including parents aged 90/80; because of overheating. The lamp signal appeared in the DIS and had to wait for a full day taking directions from Hyundai service experts before continuing the journey back to my home.
l. In December 2013 [on 4th 5th 6th & 7th] also the vehicle was inspected by M/s.Apco and they had changed the fan motor.
m. In addition to the above recorded repairs, during the past few months; the service manager and his team of experts at Apco Hyundai-Kozhikode were kind enough to inspect the vehicle on almost every other day; even at odd hours [especially after completing a long journey] for finding out the root cause--Thanks.

4. Present position:-
I am using the car after the coolant is topped up with water [as advised by Hyundai engineers], just like in the old ambassador days; and have to stop and pour water in between also while undertaking longer journeys. I am experiencing all the problems reported eight months before and the car is a nuisance to me [Even I doubt whether this is a new one!].

During the course of repair works undertaken by Apco Hyundai several parts like gear box cover, dashboard, doors, body-inside and outside, etc. were damaged beyond repair. Some of the damages are:
Many screws are not fitted. Water particles enter the head lamps. Many dents and scratches in the body, some of which have been repaired and repainted with poorest quality. Exhaust pipes’ finish damaged. More sound from outside is coming inside the cabin. Smell from outside is also sweeping into the cabin. Many rattling sounds while running. The leather seats, floor matting, roof sponge, clothes, etc. have been soiled. Paint smudges on the finer parts inside and on rubber parts. Gear box cover and nearby area fully damaged. Many parts of the dashboard damaged. Wheel guards, bumpers, etc. not fitted tight. Repainting done with different tone and texture and that too with the poorest finish [even a local workshop can paint better]. Door black stickers damaged. More gaps in every refitted things, like bumpers, lights, etc. Many scratches on head lamp and on many parts of the body. In addition to all these, they have billed me for coolant, etc.
Though these were brought to the notice of the dealer, their promise to rectify the problems were not fully kept; and I fear that my car will undergo the most unprofessional servicing/repairs and will be given back with new dents, scratches, damages, etc.

Now Hyundai engineers have advised me to deliver the car to the dealer to replace the engine / engine parts. I understand that this is a major work. Even smaller works are not being done professionally and every work undertaken till now has some side-effects. Hyundai dealers are not having the expertise and infrastructure to undertake such a long work. And it is not sure that even engine replacement will sort out the issue. Hyundai trained engineers have been trying to find a solution to my multi-issues by the trial and error method and experimenting everything in my new car.

Anyway the perfection of factory fittings has already been damaged beyond repair and the damage will be complete in all respects after the proposed engine replacement. This will reduce my car’s market value, will pose insurance problems, etc.

Hyundai customer executive commented that my car has met with accidents and its resale value will be the lowest, just because I have changed the bumpers/break light; by spending considerable amount, to keep my priced possession all new and without any scratches.

5. Demands:-
I went for Verna only because my earlier car-Santro’s performance was very good; instead of going in for a more popular/confident/proven option, the Honda City. May be Rs.12 lakhs is a small amount for many a people and companies like Hyundai; but the same is a very big amount for a person like me. And Verna was a dream possession for me.

Only at the request of Mr.Romis, I have not escalated/followed up the matter till now. But 6 months is a long period for somebody to wait to settle a problem/get repaired a new motor car, by such a great company and that too for a premium car.

The car has been damaged beyond repair, everything under the hood and everything adjacent to the engine inside the car, due to the severe heat produced. God only knows what all parts are affected.

In addition to this, almost every part of the car has been dismantled and re-fitted by company trained (?) technicians the aftermath of which is damages, full of them inside and outside.

The upmarket look and new finish of the vehicle has been fully lost after this 6 month long services/repairs by your dealers. Everytime I enter the car, I did get a feeling of an old car, not that of a new one; even my Santro was having a newer look and feel.

I have interviewed more than 10 Fluidic Verna owners and nobody is experiencing any kind of problems; even after driving at worse conditions and for longer distances.

The proposed engine replacement may only solve the overheating part. Other problems like coming of hot air from the driver side a/c vents, water-flowing sound, excess heating of the inner side lower and middle portions, etc. will be there. The entire things under the hood and adjacent to the hood have been exposed to high temperature and this might have damaged many portions of the car like parts nearby engine, rubber parts, etc., beyond repair. Altogether, almost all the important parts of the car has to be replaced.

I am being denied all the facilities/goodies/upmarket experience of owning a premium car of a premium company. I am not able to use the car, especially for longer journey; it may stop at any time; I have to check the fluid levels every day; the air conditioning is throwing hot air; inner parts are heated; all kind of sounds while driving; I am not getting the required power out of the engine; and the new look/feel [both inside and outside] has been damaged beyond repair. All these things has affected me economically, socially, mentally, etc.

Hence, I demand that you take back the car [Fluidic VERNA SX(O) AT Petrol] and pay back the entire money spent by me for owning the car along with compensation/damages [which will be negotiated with you] for the inconveniences suffered by me during the past few months.

I sincerely hope that a company enjoying such a goodwill will not force me to move the legal forums for getting a genuine complaint redressed; and that I will be repaid with the full cost of the car together with compensation by the responsible management of Hyundai, who I hope will read this mail. While considering the compensation, it may be noted that, still I love Hyundai cars and have been instrumental in selling [including one Verna] more than 10 Hyundai cars during the past two years.

Expecting your reply by return mail,

Yours,

Sankar Ram S ********84 sankarram2003@hotmail.com; sankar.ram@sbt.co.in