Rock chip voided warranty?

[jerfleas]

Front parking sensors keep 'beeping' indicating something at the front of the car, of course no object is there.

Tried cleaning it, but problem still persists.

Took it in to service center, and tech says it is because a rock chip scratched the surface of the sensor.

NOT covered under warranty because of damages? It's a 2013, and rock chips to that area of the front bumper seems to be inevitable.

Out of warranty costs is supposed to be ballpark $1,000 according to the tech.

Has anyone successfully had their sensors replaced under warranty?

 

[Mark_888]

I would try some wax or possibly McGuire's headlight protectoranat. Something to fill in the scratches.

Warranties cover manufacturing defects, not road hazards. But $1000 sounds excessive to me, so maybe ask another dealer.

 

[Koolhaas]

That doesn't seem right. If the sensors aren't working it shouldn't matter what made them fail.

 

[homeofstone]

That doesn't seem right. If the sensors aren't working it shouldn't matter what made them fail.

So if a car runs in to a light pole, the damaged parking sensors should be covered under warranty.

 

[Mark_888]

That doesn't seem right. If the sensors aren't working it shouldn't matter what made them fail.

I guess it is a matter of degree, but damage to any part of the vehicle from road hazards (such as flying rocks) are usually not covered by a warranty against manufacturing defects.

"Covers repair or replacement of any component manufactured or originally installed by Hyundai that is defective in material or factory workmanship, under normal use and maintenance."​

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/assurance/america-best-warranty.aspx#2

 

[Koolhaas]

So if a car runs in to a light pole, the damaged parking sensors should be covered under warranty.

not everyone hits a light pole. Everyone inevitably get hit by a little pebble. The sensor should be able to resist a simple rock chip.

This would be like saying leaks aren't covered by warranty. You expect a car to not leak when it rains.

 

[RN2X]

Since it was a road hazard you can file a claim against your comprehensive.

 

[Bill K]

"Since it was a road hazard you can file a claim against your comprehensive. "

+1

 

[Mark_888]

Everyone inevitably get hit by a little pebble. The sensor should be able to resist a simple rock chip.

That's true. But how do you know it was a "little pebble"? Do windshields come with a warranty against rocks? Are windshields designed to withstand all rocks, no matter the size or velocity?

This would be like saying leaks aren't covered by warranty. You expect a car to not leak when it rains.

I think water leaks are different. BTW, the 2009-2014 Genesis is/was notorious for leaking water into the trunk when opening the trunk lid after a rain. That was not a defect in "material or factory workmanship," it was a design flaw (aka feature).

 

[427435]

Slightly off subject, but if you have lane departure warning and get a cracked windshield, don't let your insurance put on anything but a genuine Hyundai windshield.

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[craigt]

"Covers repair or replacement of any component manufactured or originally installed by Hyundai that is defective in material or factory workmanship, under normal use and maintenance."​

If the car is being driven under normal use, and a rock hits the sensor, and the sensor breaks, I would consider that a defect in material. The sensor should be expected to withstand it under normal use (ie. driving on a paved road). No road is free from debris.

 

[homeofstone]

If the car is being driven under normal use, and a rock hits the sensor, and the sensor breaks, I would consider that a defect in material. The sensor should be expected to withstand it under normal use (ie. driving on a paved road). No road is free from debris.

What is a normal size, shape and weight of a rock that would allow a warranty claim? ( There is no way to know) I think the answer to the damage repair has been stated above ..which is... its an insurance claim.

 

[craigt]

What is a normal size, shape and weight of a rock that would allow a warranty claim? ( There is no way to know) I think the answer to the damage repair has been stated above ..which is... its an insurance claim.

Then the warranty should state that if the car is driven, the warranty of the front facing electronic sensors is void.

IMO, it's crazy for the dealer to assume that a boulder hit the front of the car, targeting the sensor, and did not cause any residual damage around the sensor.

 

[book 1]

I had the same problem when I took delivery of the car. not sure of the cause but the car had come from a part of the province where rock chips are a big problem. Local dealer in my area where this is not an issue replaced sensors under warranty no problem. Isn't warranty work a money maker for dealers? Would think they would write it up in a way that allowed them to bill the company? Maybe try another dealer.

 

[Koolhaas]

"Since it was a road hazard you can file a claim against your comprehensive. "

+1

probably the way to go if they don't take care of it for you.

 

[Mark_888]

Isn't warranty work a money maker for dealers? Would think they would write it up in a way that allowed them to bill the company?

Not a money maker in the US. The dealer gets a labor rate that is much lower than non-warranty work, and HMA supplies the replacement parts.

In the US, HMA seems to be quite strict about warranty work, and probably the damaged part must be returned to them for credit. Altering the "write-up" would be considered fraud, and I have a feeling that HMA is fairly strict about enforcing their policies.

 

[RSPEC429]

Try another dealership. Is it obvious that a rock hit the sensor?