In February 2019, I purchased my Hyundai Kona 2.0L Preferred. After driving it for around 16,700 kilometers, and recently returning from a three-week vacation out of the city, I noticed a significant drop in performance when accelerating on the highway. I also detected a slight misfire when idling in Park mode, though it was undetectable while driving. The check engine light illuminated the following day on my commute to work, prompting me to take immediate action.
My first stop was Focus Hyundai in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The service team diagnosed a misfire code using their scan tool. The service advisor informed me that the code had been cleared and that my car was now “good to go.” The invoice detailed P0300 misfire cylinder and P219E00 cylinder 3 air/fuel imbalance codes. Despite my concerns and questions about further diagnostics, the advisor reassured me that no further action was needed. However, my relief was short-lived as the check engine light reappeared on my drive to work from the dealership.
Contacting the service advisor again, I was this time asked to leave the car for a more thorough investigation, with no estimated timeframe for repair. When I inquired about a loaner car, the service manager at Focus Hyundai was unhelpful, stating loaner cars were not available, especially since I hadn’t purchased an extended warranty from them. My options were limited to renting a car from Enterprise, with Hyundai only covering the cost if I had an extended warranty. This policy seemed illogical to me, given the car was still under its standard warranty. Attempts to clarify this rental car policy with Hyundai Canada customer care were also unsuccessful.
Frustrated, I contacted other dealerships in Winnipeg to explore loaner car options, but all responses were negative. For two weeks, I relied on carpooling and public transit to get to work, while my Kona remained undriven. After numerous emails and calls to the service manager at the Hyundai dealership where I originally purchased the car, I was finally informed of a loaner car becoming available the following week. I dropped off my car two weeks prior to receiving this loaner. The last update I received indicated an initial diagnosis of a Cylinder 3 injector issue, which was replaced. However, the check engine light persisted, and they were continuing their diagnosis. It has now been two weeks since I received that update and my car remains at the dealership. Currently, I am using the service loaner they eventually provided.
Sharing this experience is meant to inform fellow car owners. My key recommendations are to seriously consider purchasing an extended warranty, primarily for the potential coverage of expenses like loaner cars during service, in addition to the usual benefits of extended warranties. Furthermore, when choosing a dealership, inquire about their loaner car availability for service appointments, not just accident repairs, to ensure mobility if your vehicle requires extended service. As I only have one car, securing a loaner was crucial for my daily needs. If managing without a vehicle is feasible for you, this might be less of a concern.
I will provide further updates on the resolution of the misfire issue as I receive them from the dealership. My final piece of advice is to remain persistent and advocate for yourself when facing car troubles. Don’t lose sleep over these issues, but also don’t give up on seeking solutions. If one door closes, try knocking on others. Hopefully, my experience will be beneficial to someone facing similar challenges.
Thank you for reading.
