Attn: Clutch Complaint Filing - Nhtsa

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING CLUTCH ISSUES:

You need to file a complaint with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). They are the ones who ultimately issue a recall for auto safety related issues. And, our clutch problem IS a safety issue since the failures occur when we are moving. File your complaint directly at:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

That is a link to the actual Online Complaint Form. I spoke with them this morning and was somewhat encouraged, but not guaranteed. Apparently there is no present investigation into this problem. Hard to believe with the hundreds and hundreds of clutch related complaints I have heard about, that only 58 complaints had been filed with the NHTSA. I was informed to encourage all who have had a problem to file a complaint there. I encourage the others who are pursuing a Class Action Suit to continue, as well as to file this complaint with the NHTSA. Don't allow Hyundai to continue to rip us off. Stand up and Speak up! Filing with the NHTSA could also help with any Class Action Suit.

The NHTSA is part of the Department of Transportation. They are overseen by US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, as well as, the US Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine.

In addition, you may also want to write you state Senators and Congressmen to obtain their support in this issue. The more we are heard the better. Remember, as Ben Franklin said, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."

does anyone else get tired of seeing these threads?

No, not everyone is tired of seeing threads like this. There are many hundreds, if not thousands of Tiburon owners who have experienced clutch assembly failures. The majority of these have NOT been due to driver technique as Hyundai claims. There is absolutely an inherent problem with the clutch assembly in these cars, particularly the 2003 Tibs, and Hyundai is not admitting nor correcting the problem and the Tib owners are picking up the expense.

Many do not know what recourse they have. Momentum has been gaining in the area of a class action lawsuit, and that is a good thing for ALL Tib owners. The filing of a complaint with the NHTSA, the ones who issue vehicle recalls, will probably help those seeking a class action suit. With the filing with the NHTSA, however, we hope to open an investigation and for the NHTSA to call for a recall.

If your clutch hasn't failed YET, then be glad. The thread provides an easy and convenient way for others to file complaints. So, if anyone has ever had clutch assembly problems with their Tibs, past or present, you are urged to visit the NHTSA site listed in the post and file your complaint. A recall will mean that you will not have to pay for the repairs, usually costing $1500 to $2200 each time. Think of the Tib owners that have had successive clutch failure 2 to 4 times on the same vehicle. Could YOU afford that? Please support this effort. Thank you.

my understanding of the clutch problem is eraly 03's and only on the v6's
and they fixed the clutch problem in 03 mine is an 03 and my clutch is working like a champ

Yes, you are partially correct. The majority of the problems had been exeperienced by 03 Tib owners. This problem has also occurred in some of the 04-05 vehicles. However, even after repair according to Hyundai's TSB issued in March 03, many are still having recurring clutch assembly problems. You may be one of those that have not .... count your blessings. But that is not to say that it will not reoccur with you also. I wished that it didn't happen to anyone else.

The fact remains, however, that Hyundai has already shown that it will not address the concerns of it's customers. They will not admit that there is an existing problem with their clutches. This problem continues to exist. Such an admission by them would result in a BIG financial liability for them, and after all, they are a company doing business for profit $$$$$$$$$. That is why WE are the ones picking up the expense of their error, $1500-$2200 each time. They will not comply voluntarily. That is why ALL who have had clutch failures in the past should file a NHTSA complaint.

The NHTSA has been receiving complaints about the Tiburon clutches since 2003, but have not even started an investigation into the matter. Although their website says that investigations are not based on the "number" of complaints received, it was quite evident with my conversation with them earlier this week that if more complaints are received an investigation is likely. This is what we want, enough complaints to lead to an investigation, that will ultimately lead to a recall.

The NHTSA is also a government instituion and therefore susceptible to political influence. This is an area being worked on right now to additionally bring some pressure on the NHTSA regarding our claim to substandard clutch assemblies in our Tibs that are a real safety concern. And, you will hear more about this as it occurs. In the meantime, please, ALL who have had clutch assembly problems take a minute and file the online complaint at their website listed on the first post of this thread:

http://www.newtiburon.com/forums/sh...d.php?p=1127214

and listed here again:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Thank you.

Hey pluv, I don't suppose you work in any way for a law firm do ya now? Or a political org? lol

well I guess there was a purpose for this post... u've got one more on ur side with a filled complaint.

Hey pluv, I don't suppose you work in any way for a law firm do ya now? Or a political org? lol

i think you may be on to something.

and by them changeing the clutch wouldnt that mean that they admitted there was a problem cause if there was no problem then they would not just change clutches in the middle of a production year

1. Do I work for a legal firm? Or a political org? Ahhh ... no comment! LOL!

2. Hyundai did change the clutches and issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on the clutch issue. But this in way is an admission by them of something wrong. They will not state "why" they did it, and as I was told by Hyundai, "there was nothing wrong with the original clutch, if fact, we're still using them."

Right now, we just need EVERYONE who's had a clutch assembly problem at any time with their Tibs to take a moment and file that online complaint with the NHTSA.

I have a 2.7L V6 Tiburon from 03 and currently have my car in the shop for a new clutch at 22.5k miles on it. At first I was shocked and convinced that they would find something else wrong with the car that caused the clutch to wear prematurely. However, their assessment was that I abused the clutch with abnormal driving causing it to overheat. They also commented that there was no unusual wear on the tires but they noticed a cold air intake (Hated the silent wine of stock) which points to hard driving. They then proceeded to tell me that the clutch is not covered under warranty after 12k miles and that it would be $2,200 to fix. I was ticked!

This is my second manual transmission vehicle in 13 years and I drove my previous one around 100k miles without ever having to replace the clutch. I know how to drive stick and I don't ride the clutch or drive like a maniac so I went online looking for similar problems other people may have had. Sure enough there is an abundance of threads about the 03 clutch problems with many of them wearing out around the same mileage as mine. As I continue to read up on it I find that they DID change the clutch they were putting into the 03 Tiburon's very quickly and yet they maintain that there is nothing wrong with the old ones.

I'm currently in the process of trying to get Hyundai to cover it under warranty but so far they continue to give me the same responce, No. If anyone has any information or advice that may help me get the cost covered please email me at [email protected]. After researching this clutch I'm convinced it is a bad part, not bad drivers causing this problem. There is even a class action lawsuit in the making over the issue.

Any advice appreciated,
Thanks.

no problem with mine 98 and stage 2 might make a difference