I’ve noticed that the car has become sluggish. On one particular occasion, it barely made its way up an incline. Could this be due to some issue with the transmission?
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Updates for 2022 – The mediocre experience continues…
ABS sensor fixed
The ABS sensor was not available when the service was performed in the first week of January. Had paid an advance back then itself, and was replaced by the 3rd week of Jan.
The car was finally back without any errors and only one major issue remained – a/c performance.
A/c fixed
Have been complaining about this to Popular Hyundai service multiple times, and never got any resolution. Finally fed up, approached a local a/c specialist – who connected all these gauges and showed that the refrigerant pressure is zero, nil, nada.
Now that’s even worse than it sounds because the Hyundai dealer has been regularly telling me they have verified gas is correct and been charging various other stuff every time I complain of a/c performance. Just a couple of days before too – they had done some cleaning of the pipes to clear up restricted airflow. Cost for doing nothing to help – Rs 3000/-
Anyways, as for the a/c performance – it’s better than ever post gas refilling and filter cleaning. Cost Rs 800/-
Finally running with low fan speeds on a hot summer day. Have always been running at full blast for the past few years –
That’s it with Popular Hyundai’s lies! Decided to visit Pothens Hyundai from here on.
A couple of days after, Popular Hyundai Sales team called –
- SA: Sir, would you like to upgrade to the new Hyundai Alcazar?
- Me: No. Currently not looking at that type of car.
- SA: If budget is a concern, would you like to take a look at the new Creta or Verna?
- Me: Budget isn’t a concern. In fact, I might be picking up a Jeep Compass soon.
- SA: But sir, don’t you know Jeep has service issues?
- Me: But I’m fed up with your Hyundai service. So that is not an advantage for me!
- SA: Why sir? What happened?
- Me: Explains my service experience.
- SA: Sorry sir, but in case you change your mind, do call me on this number.
Tyre change
Now, this was supposed to be a simple job, but somehow – turned out to be a treasure hunt with the Xcent – courtesy of a rare tyre size. No, I was not looking for any specific tyre! All I really wanted was a basic set of tyres (No point in spending top dollar when it will be used only for very short city runs).
The tyre size – 175/60 R15
To cut a long story short –
- Shop 1 – Generic showroom. No tyres.
- Shop 2 – MRF dealer – No tyres.
- Shop 3 – Rare size sir. But we can source Bridgestone B250. It will cost 6400 each!
- Shop 4 – No tyre, but we can source in a couple of weeks.
- Shop 5 – CEAT dealer – Ceat Securadrives available. 3700 only. But only two are available in stock and not sure when another two will arrive. Will contact you.
- Shop 6 – Rare size, but we have Goodyear Assurance tyres. 4800/- each.
- Shop 7 – No tyres
- Shop 8 – Out of desperation – I called up the CEAT Shoppee in the nearby district. Same story – Ceat Securadrives available. 3700 only. However stock is in transit and not in the showroom. Decided to wait.
A week later, no calls. I stopped at the nearby CEAT dealer (Shop 5 above) once again and to my luck, he had received another two in stock.
Total cost – Rs 15200/- for tyres and Rs 1500/- for fixing, balancing and alignment.
Yet another reliability issue
In the first week of March, started noticing that the car has become sluggish and on one particular occasion – I felt it almost barely made its way up an incline! Could not narrow down the issue at first, but after a couple of drives – realised that the transmission is getting stuck in 3rd gear, and the small engine is just not able to make up for this!
There was also a major jerk in the cabin while shifting to reverse.
Here is a short video that I made to explain it to the SA.
Having been fed up with Popular Hyundai, I took the car to Pothens Hyundai this time around. On the initial scans, they found two errors of which the ECM one seemed more culpable. Anyways, they informed me about the errors, erased them, test drove the car for a few kilometres and asked me to get back to them in case the issue re-occurs, because in that scenario – they would need some time to investigate further detail. No charge for the service provided.
At Pothens Hyundai on the 10th of March –
And yet, yet another reliability issue
On the 25th, the car was back again at Pothens Hyundai for a different issue, very rough noise from the silencer, experienced only when revving the motor.
Turns out the CATCON was in this state inside, crumbled up like cookies!
Pothens Hyundai provided excellent service once again, cleared the debris properly – ensured there are no error codes recorded due to this and sent me home without any charge levied. However, they also informed that any error codes could cause the engine to go into limp mode and would require a major expense (and lost time) for sourcing a non-moving part such as the catalytic converter.
The return of both issues
On the 31st, while parking the car after a short drive – both issues returned together to haunt – Reverse suddenly engaged with a big jerk, and the check engine light came on as well!
Returned the car to the service center on the 1st.
As of today, investigations are ongoing and they are waiting for a replacement ECM from an old TD car to check. Looks like a couple of major expenses incoming! At least the service attitude is much better here.
Service expenses
Speaking of expenses, the steadily rising maintenance costs over the years –
Keyword: 2014 Hyundai Xcent: Reliability issues & maintenance updates