2009 sedan EGR monitor not ready for smog check

[incontrovertible]

Gwforum, thanks for the description of your experience.

After leaving several messages, I got a call back from a person in the western regional office. She told me that Hyundai engineers were aware of my (our) problem occurring in a number of Genesis models. She said I would have to wait several weeks until they could get a field engineer to San Jose to fix my car. She told me to go to the DMV and get a temporary extension for my car registration.

If I were to charge Hyundai $110 per hour for my time spent so far on this issue, they would owe me over $2000 (No charge for time spent on this board).

I'm hoping my story ends soon.

 

[incontrovertible]

I brought my car to the dealer yesterday. The field engineer (I assume) fixed the problem. It finally passed the smog test!

All I could understand from the service manager was that the drive cycle they were telling me (and others) to use was incorrect. He said that the car doesn't have an EGR. It uses VVT and this could confuse the smog test people. He also mentioned other items, including saying that someone had erased some items in some memory.

I didn't want to argue with him, but the smog test printout clearly says that it uses VVT and not an EGR. Also, no one other than the dealer has ever serviced my car or come close to the engine compartment.

When I finally reached the right people at Hyundai (which took many calls), they were very pleasant and took responsibility for the problem.

It would have been nice if Hyundai at least notified the dealers about this problem. The dealer said it was not a warranty item. I couldn't even get him to call Hyundai and ask about it. Instead, I was told by him and several smog testers to drive the car and get it smog tested again, even though I had driven it thousands of miles since replacing the battery.

 

[KRVer]

I received a call today (7/9) from the western regional office asking me if my car had been looked at and if the problem had been fixed. I told the rep that it had been fixed and passed the smog test but that the dealer charged me $220. I was told that they would look into it and asked me to fax paperwork from the dealer. The rep stated she could not process a refund until I received my registration but didn't say why.

My In-Laws are going through the exact same scenario with their 2009 Genesis Sedan that you and incontrovertible have -- however, they're still stuck at the dealer stage where no one seems to know what is wrong. The dealer (Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim) has now had the car for five days and the service department is not returning calls - they'll be making a trip to the dealer in person tomorrow to see if there is any news.

I brought my car to the dealer yesterday. The field engineer (I assume) fixed the problem. It finally passed the smog test!

All I could understand from the service manager was that the drive cycle they were telling me (and others) to use was incorrect.

When I finally reached the right people at Hyundai (which took many calls), they were very pleasant and took responsibility for the problem.

Can you offer any further insight on who to contact to help expedite the issue? Someone specifically at the Regional Office who is aware of this issue in these cars?

Do you know yet whether the published drive cycle was just incorrect or did the dealer or tech from the regional office replace a part, update the onboard computer or ???

Any help you can offer in steering us to a speedier resolution would be greatly appreciated. incontrovertible or anyone else that has resolved this issue, feel free to chime in or send me a private message with names and phone numbers of anyone who can help. If the drive cycle was incorrect and there is a new one, do you have a copy of that?

Thanks so much!

 

[incontrovertible]

I don't have the specific person to contact because I tossed my notes when my car passed the smog test. My suggestion is to call Hyundai America at 800-633-5151 and tell them that there's a woman at the western regional office who has handled at least two of these cases.

I am pretty sure that the drive cycle they've given out is wrong. The tech may have also modified the software in the car.

Good luck.

 

[Charlesdhowell]

Hey all, found this thread today after my 2009 genesis also failed for the same reason. The dealer was unhelpful on the phone and basically said that they would make me run through the reset driving pattern. Anyway, I contacted the CA smog test "referee" program. Apparently this is a new program designed to deal with just these issues. It's at asktheref.org. I have to get a diagnostic from the dealer, send it in, and I'll get an appointment for a free test where the referee can pass the car if the only issue is the failed vvt indicator. Thought it might be useful to share; we'll see how it goes.

 

[incontrovertible]

When I went to the referee, they ran a standard smog check and told me that the EGR/VVT was not ready. They said there was nothing they could do and that I should keep driving it and have it retested. It was a total waste of time.

Charles, I hope that you have better luck.

 

[malizec24]

What is the phone number you called to contact Hyundai? I am experiencing the same issue with my 2009 Genesis 3.8 sedan. Initially passed SMOG but couldn't get the cert b/c EGR monitor not ready (no codes present, no check engine light). Took it to dealership who held my car 2 weeks after which they told me they were able to reset the EGR monitor but now the monitor for the catalytic converter was showing not ready. They have asked me to pick up the car because they claim there's nothing more that can be done except to continue driving the car. I would like to report this to Hyundai and possibly call CARB as well. Can you provide both numbers?

 

[incontrovertible]

Malizac24, my post on this thread dated 8/4/15 has some advice.

 

[rivjon]

Did anybody find a solution to this???? My 2009 Genesis won't pass smog for same reason. The EGR code reads incomplete or not ready. Of interest the 2009 Genesis DOES NOT HAVE AN EGR

 

[thestig]

This is what one of my customers wrote:

"I had a horrendous passing mine! The dealer kept telling me I was not driving the car right!! I put on more that 1500 miles trying to achieve it! Finally the dealer took it in and they worked on it for 5 days until it finally passed. I would suggest that you contact the Hyundai dealership in Van Nuys (Keyes Hyundai). The service manager, Miles, understands the real issue. Good luck"

FYI the monitor that is incomplete is an "EGR/VVT" monitor. So its the Variable Valve Timing and not the EGR since the car doesn't have an EGR valve.

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[mself]

I have the same issue with my 2009 Genesis Sedan. It passed the emissions part of the smog test, but failed due to from EGR and VVT 'not ready'. The battery was replaced many months ago by AAA and I have been driving normally for 1,000s of miles since then. No 'check engine' light or other symptoms.

I have a call into the local dealer service department now. I hope they can help more than others here have posted about. Seems like this should be a warranty or recall issue!

 

[Catax]

I'm running into the same issue now but with a 3.8 coupe; EGR/VVT not ready. Been over a year since the battery's replaced, no CEL, everything seems to run fine.

I called my dealer and the service manager said the charge is $120/day with no guarantees of how many days it'll take, or if it'll even work and it's not covered under warranty. I tried to keep my cool at this point but I was done talking to him.

I called HMA Service. The guy's never heard of this issue but will reach out to find more info. He'll contact me if anything arises. I asked him about reaching out to the Western Regional Office. He said he doesn't have direct contact but will try.

Does anyone have any suggestions of a more direct approach? Mainly to get the field tech to come out and repair this under warranty.

 

[mself]

I have the same issue with my 2009 Genesis Sedan. It passed the emissions part of the smog test, but failed due to from EGR and VVT 'not ready'. The battery was replaced many months ago by AAA and I have been driving normally for 1,000s of miles since then. No 'check engine' light or other symptoms.

I have a call into the local dealer service department now. I hope they can help more than others here have posted about. Seems like this should be a warranty or recall issue!

I took the car to the deale (Stevens Creek Hyundai) and they sent the car to an outside provider that fixed it. They charged me $120, but they accidentally showed me the invoice from the smog testing company, which was only $80. The key is to take it to a smog tester that can run the car on rollers. That's the only way to get the test cycle completed properly. I'd try calling around for a smog test shop that can do that and is familiar with Hyundais. That will save you some time and money.

 

[KRVer]

Hey Catax.

Sorry you're going through this. I'm the one that had the in-laws with a 2009 Genesis with this issue. Never followed up on the post because essentially, we never got an answer to what was going on -- only a call from the dealer saying the car had completed the smog test successfully. This was a day after my in-laws had shared the contents of this forum thread with the service department suggesting that they get the Western Regional Office involved. I don't know if they actually contacted anyone at the regional office or what -- only that it had passed.

My in-laws were charged, I believe, $120 for the dealer doing the drive cycle - don't know if that was the same drive-cycle they gave us or if they did anything else to the vehicle or ???

So... it seems to be an issue but there's not a lot of love coming from Hyundai toward the folks that have to deal with this.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Best of luck... because "luck" may just be what is involved in how quickly this gets resolved.

 

[rivjon]

I just went through this. They will tally drive it and drive it and drive it and even give you a "drive cycle". The dealers are at the mercy of Hyundai and they know of no fix.
This is what I did and it worked and I am also in CA. Make sure to have the car tested and keep the "failure report". Then the dealer needs to look at it so that they can make the statement that everything is "within specs". The dealer may charge you for this and that is BS if they do. If you have a good relationship with a dealer ask them to do it free as a good will service since all the dealers know of this problem.

Then contact the BAR Referee program you can look it up. If you take your EGR not ready so it did not pass report and the dealer statement that all is running within specs the BAR referee program will have you come in. They will test the actual emissions and not just the computer and they will pass you and charge you 8.25 for the sticker. Go ahead and pay the registration now if it is due so you don't get late fees.

This drove me nuts for two months. So much so that I had it out with my dealer who knows me well and has sold me 4 cars. The whole drive cycle or just go drive it more is a false to get you out of their hair.

Try what I said it worked for me.

 

[Catax]

I got a response from HMA yesterday. They basically told me to bring my car into my local dealer to have them perform the drive cycle, and there's no other assistance they could provide.

I'm just daunted by the statement made by the service manager saying it could take an unknown amount of days to fix at $120/day.

Rivjon, I'll try your suggestion and contact the BAR referee. This actually may be the easiest option I have now.

 

[1960Peter]

I have the problem. CA emissions and wont clear VVT/EGR. I have taken to the dealer. Had the car fully tested? Paid the Sacto. Hyundai Service to perform service recommendation (bulletin) to do drive cycle. Mechanic drove 109 miles. No fix. The car now has a second not ready cycle (catalyst). The factory Regional Care Center has not been productive yet. I believe this 2009 3.8 Computer program is faulty. Well at least for CA extreme smog standards. I was told today by the cust. Care rep. that this is the only model having high failure rates (my wording). Anyway I will supposedly get a call on my escalated case. I will send my invoice to you (reader) if you want it. I am out $250 to Sacramento Hyundai + $50 to DMV for temp permit to drive. This is a shame. This car is OK for the other 49 states but I would not buy another for my state. Now my cars battery was replaced a year ago. My wife has driven the car over 10K miles. Why would a "special" driving method be needed to clear the required smog codes (or whatever they are) excuse my frustration. This BS needs to stop. Period. The other 2009 models do not have this problem with CA parameters?? What is the Genesis problem. Tomorrow I am told I will hear. More to come. Pray for me.

 

[1960Peter]

To date Hyundai North America has not been very good responding to my case. They are good at following their phone protocol when done talking to you. I would just like a reasonable fix. Drive cycle test at my expense was done in good faith. I paid and I am without a clear smog ready. I now have two monitors not cleared. Mechanic (dealer) booted the monitor upon test. We started with only the "VVT" not ready. Now the VVT and catalyst are NR?? Help please Hyundai Engineers!

 

[Valkyrie]

Here is my "beginning to end" story of my ordeal with getting my 2010 3.8 Genesis OBD-II monitor reset. I'll make this long story as short as possible.

I failed the smog test same as others on this site. I went to Alexander Hyundai (dealer in Oxnard CA) and the service mgr. drove the car through the drive cycle. It didn't work so he wanted me to pay his buddy $190 to get it reset! Instead, I ran it through the cycle 3 more times without success. I called Hyundai's customer care center, they referred me back to the dealer. I said no way. Now, here are the facts as I see them. My owners manual clearly shows that the EPA requires Hyundai to warranty the OBD-II system for 8 yrs./80K miles. I argued it was under warranty, they said no, the OBD-II was working, just not reading the codes. They take copious notes of all communications so I told them to take a note of this: I'm filing a complaint with the EPA. They immediately sent the case to the regional office and they called me and said that they would send a tech to Oxnard and he would get my OBD-II reset the next day. The tech put 46 miles on the car and got it reset. On my service receipt it stated, "recommend driving the car directly to the smog station". I did that and yes, it passed but I'm inferring from this that they don't have much confidence in it staying reset. So that's my story, you may want to threaten an EPA complaint - that got their attention. Read on if you want to hear what else I am doing.

In my opinion, the OBD-II monitor has always been defective. The spirit of the EPA requirement that the OBD-II monitor be warrantied for 8 years strongly implies that it be useful to the owner without having the owner drive it through a very dangerous drive cycle (or pay someone else to do it). Hyundai needs to either recall these, fix the problem or at the very least, they should be responsible for resetting these things whenever the car needs to be smog tested. I think their plan is to placate customers until the warranty period expires. The truth is that the OBD-II monitors were defective from day one and therefore, they need to be fixed. I don't think the EPA would agree with Hyundai's Band-Aid approach to this ongoing problem. Anyway, I'm filing a complaint with the EPA so they can take a look at this. Please write a complaint if you agree with me. Here’s the EPA address:

Director
Field Operations and Support Division (6406J)
Environmental Protection Agency
401 “M” Street. S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460

Other than this issue, I love the car. I just want Hyundai to step up and do the right thing.

Good luck to all.

 

[qcjacobo]

Let first say that up until recently, I have been a happy owner of a 2010 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 Coupe.

Like others on this post, I too have experienced the issue of going to get my car to pass smog in California only to find out that the EGR/VVT ODB-II monitor will not set. In reading this thread, for the Genesis, this is really the VVT. So, thank you all for that helpful information.

Here is where things stop going well....

I take my car to a local Hyundai dealership. After looking at the vehicle, running some tests, having their "smog guy" look at it, they ended up referring me to the State Referee Program. They said, I could get a 2 year waiver.

Long story short I was able to get the waiver. So, in terms of being able to drive the vehicle in the state of California for the next 2 years, all is well...the problem I have with this is that there is a 2 year time limit on this and ultimately these monitors will have to set next time. This is not to mention that the dealer stated that essentially my only recourse (aside from forking over lots of money for them to replace random parts and hope that one of those allows the code to set) was essentially to hope and wait and see if something happens between now and 2 years that causes the vehicle to come in for repair that by circumstance happens to fix the actual underlying problem. Really? That is your answer? Essentially hope for the best after shelling out 30K? Geez.

I have a case open with HMA, but it was only until I mentioned the apparent "magic word" to the customer care rep of "attorney" that I was able to get the case escalated to the Hyundai Regional Office. What a waste of 30 min going back and forth with the customer care rep. Next time I know I guess. Lesson learned.

So, the regional office has now referred the case to another dealer about 40 minutes north of me. They took possession of the vehicle and gave me a rental at no additional charge. I have had the rental now going on day 5 if you count the weekend. They were supposed to drive the vehicle to see if that would change the code result...even though i have my doubts that post 10K miles after changing the battery them driving the vehicle for 30 would change anything. They have yet to drive it and are essentially trying to get HMA to pay for another smog test. Great that they will pay for it, and even better if it passes, but it does nothing to say it won't happen again before my next 2 years and does nothing to solve the underlying problem. There is clearly a computer issue here in my opinion.

Couple questions for the group; (1) What did you do to get a Hyundai technician to come to the dealership? I will say that since there is no solution and no diagnostic test(s), it is probably going to run up into the same brick wall and that is essentially that Hyundai has no clue why this is happening. I may still end up contacting an attorney. (2) Has anyone consulted with one on this issue? (3) Does it even meet lemon law and/or consumer law criteria?

I will update as I learn more. If anyone has any interest in discussing this offline, let me know.