Once again, thank you for your responses; however, I'd like to stress that my purpose for joining this forum is to try to help resolve a SERIOUS problem that I feel merits SERIOUS responses. I'm not interested in selling the "death trap" or uninformed, personal opinions and suspect some responders may be connected to Hyundai. As much as it may sound like a bogus claim, it is NOT. I am making monthly payments on a brand new car that I have not driven since this incident because I feel it would be IRRESPONSIBLE to put it back on the road until the problem can be identified and fixed. Also, since I've begun searching for an answer, I have come across a 2011 Genesis owner, who filed a complaint with his Attorney General after experiencing speed sensor problems with the car. I tried to reach him to inquire how the car behaves when it experiences this problem, but he has not responded yet.
More background on the car:
On July 1st, a SUV's back tire rolled over a large, wood board on the freeway while we were all driving approx 65-70 MPH and propelled the board into my front end at the speed of a bullet. This caused significant damage: completely cracked the front bumper, knocked out a fog lamp, etc.; causing over $3,000 in damage. At that time, the body shop determined there was no mechanical damage to the car. In retrospect, it probably was not a good decision to allow the body shop to make this determination.
Response to your questions:
I wrote to Hyundai's president and his representative at Hyundai America called to advise they need the car to "duplicate" the problem. In other words, continue driving the car and risk hitting another car or even worse, a person or child. They also said they "could not throw money at" (his exact words) every consumer claim. I suspect this is the same type of response Toyota gave drivers who experienced acceleration problems. Unfortunately, when the problem did duplicate, many of those drivers did not live to tell Toyota "I told you so!" It will take Hyundai America over 2 months just to determine whether they will conduct further investigation into the car and/or replace the brakes/sensors on the car and the car will remain benched in the garage.
I saw the Integra waiting at the bottom of the hill while I was at the top of the first hill. And, for the record, I was not on the phone. Had the Integra not been there, I would have rolled directly into the extremely busy, T-intersection at Wilde and San Bruno Avenues. This is the first block of Wilde Avenue, but there's no house facing Wilde on either side of the tiny block so I'm not sure whether it’s numbered the zero or 100 block of Wilde Avenue.
I was not in a rush, so there was no need to speed or drive recklessly. As I wrote, I was on my brakes coming down the hills (a little over .2 tenths mile from the controlled intersection) and the car was moving at approx 15-20 MPH on the hills.
Even though my full-sized car hit a compact-sized car, there was very little damage to either vehicle. It scratched my front bumper and only the right side of his back bumper was pushed out of alignment approximately 1 inch--no dents to either car; further evidence I was not moving fast.
There was nothing under my foot or pedal that restricted either (great question though!) The other driver was angry and his exact words were "Are you even insured?" The car still has the dealer’s new car tags--no plates, so, of course, it is insured.
The brake fluid shouldn't be low because the car's first maintenance is scheduled at 3,000 miles and it only has 2,186 miles. However, I will check the brake fluid because there is still what I thought was an oil puddle on the floor of my garage! I blamed the puddle on the rental car I drove the week the Genesis was in the shop and actually took the rental car agency to task over it. Although the service department said they fully inspected the car, they may not have checked the brake fluid. Thank you for this excellent suggestion! I will get back to you with the result.
Yes, the car would come to a full stop following the accident.
My insurance carrier simply said they cover damage to cars regardless of driver or mechanical error. The adjustor added they recouped very little money from Toyota as a result of those acceleration-related accidents.
SFPD will not come out unless there's a personal injury or death.
This is my only car, so my decision not to drive it has had an EXTREMELY negative impact on my life as I am forced to rely on public transportation and/or rides from friends and co-workers--something I truly HATE. However, without knowing what caused this incident, I know it is the right, RESPONSIBLE decision despite my personal inconvenience. I could sell or trade the car in now; however, it would not be right to allow the next owner to assume such a serious risk. If Hyundai America decides to do nothing, I personally will assume the cost to replace the brakes and sensors and THEN sell the car. At least I will know I will have done everything possible to ensure the car is safe to be on the road. However, I love the car and would like to keep it, so I am very interested in ANY SERIOUS suggestions/questions that may help solve this mystery.
