21st Jul 2010, 19:41

I have a Hyundai Tuscon diesel. 2 weeks out of warranty, 78,000km on clock and the clutch failed. Hyundai dealer blamed my driving! Quoted me $5000+ for a replacement clutch and dual mass flywheel repair.

Turbo replaced last year; eventually got them to agree it was a manufacturer design fault. Now facing a huge bill from my local garage to replace the clutch and install a conventional flywheel. Hyundai will not admit responsibility or design fault, despite mounting evidence from other owners. Will not buy Hyundai again.

23rd Jul 2010, 08:43

To the Tucson diesel owner:

To replace the dual mass flywheel with a regular one is very much a mistake that you will regret! I'm not sure why you are complaining; clutches are like brakes, eventually they wear out. That's why most cars are automatics these days! If you exchange out the dual mass flywheel with a regular one, you will cause engine and transaxle damage with the shock of gear engagement!!! The reason it's a dual mass is because there are no dampening springs on the clutch disc.

Take care of your car the right way, and don't blame a car company because your car after some miles has a few problems. They are man made after all you know?

23rd Jul 2010, 16:27

To the last commenter: You are correct regarding the vibrations and DMF. However, whereas most older vehicles need only a $500-1000 clutch replacement after long driving intervals, $5000 is really, really extortionate.

That is at least twice as expensive as a routine overhaul for an automatic gearbox.

New technology to improve performance is one thing, but an improvement shouldn't cost more than twice the old price, or should be equally durable as the old unit. After all, our wages and salaries do not rise in proportion to the increase in routine vehicle repairs. We are not driving Ferraris.

Case in point is the '01-07 Ford Mondeo. Here in NZ a clutch replacement is an eye-watering $3K, whereas if you had a Mazda 626 '01, you could replace the clutch for about $800. The Mondeo is no luxury car nor a sports car. It was the first time I ever started to consider automatics -- at least if you drive them right they're cheaper to repair now. My Audi A4's automatic, if it had to be reconditioned, would only cost $3500, not much more than the clutch on a Mondeo!

2nd Aug 2010, 14:29

My Hyundai Santa Fe 2007 broke down suddenly due to the clutch flywheel.

The car has only did 11500 miles, and I was told by car dealer I was not covered for the vehicle to be picked-up to be taken to garage. Eventually I managed to get the vehicle picked-up and taken to the car dealership, to be told I may not be automatically covered for the clutch repair, as it might be my driving style, although I don't ride the clutch.

I paid £27000 for car 2 and a half years ago, and they can't even give me a courtesy car, as there are never any available; have to wait at least one week.

What are my rights? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

31st Aug 2010, 06:55

Exchanging the duel mass flywheel for single mass should be fine, you will notice increased engine vibrations, but the clutch disc is fitted with the dampening springs in this situation instead of the flywheel, making it cheaper for future repairs.

However, when this is done, your vehicle may also need the ECU to be remapped to reduce the engine torque so that you do not rip your new clutch kit to shreds. There are aftermarket clutch kits and flywheels available. Just because one motor factors doesn't sell them, doesn't mean that a different one can't get them, it just depends on which suppliers they use (certain suppliers won't sell to certain factors because of the competitors ranges they use).

30th Sep 2010, 14:26

Oh great. I have an old model Santa Fe, owned since new in 2006, and now at 13000 miles, with all dealer services correctly performed, the clutch is slipping badly.

I am still in warranty, and was thinking there would be no problems in getting it fixed under warranty, but all the postings have me worried. I'll post back and tell you how I get on.

Best car I've had to date, but let's hope Hyundai do not blow it now.

1st Oct 2010, 08:40

You'll be lucky if you get any help on a clutch. They are considered normal wear items, like brakes and tires, and believe it or not, you can destroy one in 13K miles if it isn't driven properly. Not saying you did this, but they will more than likely try to blame you for the failure. They will probably take you on a drive to see how you drive the clutch. This happened to me on a Nissan once, and as soon as I started out, they offered to fix the clutch.

I see many people who claim to drive clutches well, and then they shift through the gears with their left foot resting on the pedal. Not a good habit, as just the slightest pressure will partially disengage the clutch, wearing it prematurely. You should always completely remove your foot from the pedal, and then place it back on the pedal when you are ready to shift. I learned that way, and it is second nature to me now.

I have only ever had an issue with the one clutch in my Nissan, but obviously they saw immediately that it wasn't my fault. Hopefully you'll get the same treatment from Hyundai. Good luck with it.

15th Jan 2011, 14:56

I have a 2005 2.0 CRDi diesel Santa Fe, where I noticed the clutch slip slightly twice up slight gradients when towing my caravan.

Then it did it 2 months later up a steep hill without the caravan, but with a full load of passengers.

This has now progressed into normal driving, and being an ex mechanic, I am replacing the clutch myself, have checked with Hyundai and my model does not have a dual mass fly wheel fitted.

I would normally replace a clutch with a genuine item, but seeing that the Hyundai clutch is so weak, I decided this is not the route to take, and considered buying just an aftermarket replacement kit, as surely this could be no worse, and may in fact be better!

However after some thought, I then tried to source a heavy duty/competition clutch and found that in the states, Sachs do such a kit for the Santa Fe, but I could not obtain one in the UK.

I have now found a company called Techniclutch in the UK, who do a heavy duty fast road clutch kit, which gives 30% more clamping force from the pressure plate and is suitable for up to 350 bhp, I have ordered this kit and will be fitting it soon - I have been informed by the supplier that the drive ability of the car will be unaffected, and I will not be able to tell the difference.

Will also be checking that the clutch arm is fully disengaging and may fit a return spring to it, as I feel this may also contribute to clutch problems with the Santa Fe.

It is unacceptable in this day and age though when you have to start redesigning a vehicle because the manufacturer cannot get it right over several years of production, but continues to take the customers hard earned money - maybe I should not have bought this car! Nice to drive though.

I can supply Techniclutches number if anyone requires it.