Hyundai Entourage doors suddenly open
Deon Schaffer of Rockville has been having a world of trouble with his Hyundai Entourage, a minivan whose doors seem to open at all the wrong times.
This blog doesn't usually get into automotive issues (as opposed to the roads they're driven on) but we're curious whether other Maryland owners of this since-discontinued vehicle are having the same problem. I'll let Schaffer describe it:
I purchased a Hyundai Entourage for my wife. She spends most of the time driving our kids around and since about 3 months after the purchase, we have noticed that the vehicle's sliding doors do not always stay open (after opening them) or alternatively, do not always stay closed (after closing them). The dealer made a number of attempts to fix this issue but have as yet been unsuccessful. On one occasion about one year ago, when opening a door, the door subsequently closed on my daughters hand, as a result of it not staying open. The dealer made additional attempts to remedy the problem but was not successful.
In November last year, while traveling on one of the local highways near Richmond, VA, on the way back from Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, VA, one of the sliding doors opened automatically - while the vehicle was in motion, at around 60Mph! My 5 year old was seated adjacent to that door!Anyway, if there are others with similar issues who might want to get in contact with Schaffer, drop a comment here. If there are enough of you, that might warrant some inquiries.
I have attempted to get the problem fixed with the local dealer and have been in contact with Hyundai's consumer affairs department. Hyundai has sent a regional manager to take a look but was unable to reproduce the problem and wrote it off as an anomaly!
Comments
TSB # 09-BE-001 instructs the dealer to replace BOTH of the pwr door modules w/ P/N 95450-4D103 (same p/n on both sides) for this condition.
Posted by: Hyundai Tech | July 2, 2010 1:41 PM
Re: TSB # 09-BE-001
This was done only after I reported issues and ONLY on one side. If a dangerous situation was identified that required the publication of the Tech Bulletin, I would have thought that is would have been a proactive recall to rectify the issue.
Furthermore, Don Barber, the Hyundai Regional Service Manager, was sent out to inspect the car, after the left passenger sliding door opened at 60Mph. He tested it in a sterile environment, and since he was not able to personally witness the issue, released the car without any action.
What ever happened to Hyundai's promise of quality, and "America's Best Warranty"?
Hyundai is not standing by or behind their vehicle!
In my latest run-in with Hyundai USA Consumer Affairs, Ricci Gardner told me that there was nothing they could do. He went on to tell me that I should file a BBB complaint in addition to invoking Lemon Law! This is ironic since the vehicle has now exceeded the specs that are recognized for Lemon Law!
Right now, I have a vehicle that my wife is afraid to drive and my daughter is traumatized as a result of a door "automagically" closing on her fingers and a door open at highway speeds right next to her!
Does anyone have any advice?
Posted by: Deon Schaffer | July 5, 2010 5:24 PM
Hyundai Entourage Door Malfunction
A number of other people have been experiencing the same issue. Here is a video from someone else that had the same experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beFYEr5iPbM
Posted by: Deon Schaffer | July 6, 2010 4:08 PM
I recently relocated to the West coast. (San Diego to be specific.)
I found that after repeated attempts to resolve the issue on the East coast, the advice given to me just before relocation was the most helpful. I was told to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
As a result of the complaint, I was contacted by a Hyundai consumer affairs representative from the West coast.
The vehicle was inspected and the technician from Hyundai was able to (finally!) reproduce the issues. An attempt to fix the problem was made. The result was a misalignment of the doors, which basically looked as if the vehicle had been in an accident!
After some additional conversations, Hyundai finally agreed to buy back the vehicle (less usage costs). We are currently going through the motions.
My original thought when told to contact the BBB was that the rep was just trying to get rid of me and that he never expected me to actually file a complaint against his company. Now, looking back at the situation with a clear head, it now seems to me that his advice was very helpful and sincere. It was probably the only thing that helped me get this resolved!
Posted by: Deon Schaffer | October 12, 2010 4:30 PM