Our client purchased a used 2020 Hyundai Ioniq from Hyundai with just over 43,000 miles on the odometer. While the vehicle initially seemed like a smart and efficient choice, it soon became clear that serious mechanical issues would interfere with its long-term reliability and performance.
The first signs of trouble appeared only a few weeks after purchase. The client brought the vehicle to Victorville Hyundai Mazda Genesis after noticing a warning light for low coolant and reporting a grinding noise from the steering wheel. Technicians performed a multi-point inspection and attempted to address the issues. While a part was replaced and the systems were deemed operational at that time, the symptoms continued to resurface.
A few months later, the vehicle was brought to Fontana Hyundai, where the same grinding noise in the steering column and the inverter coolant warning light were reported again. Technicians verified the steering issue and performed repairs according to Hyundai TSB 22-5T-005H-1, replacing the steering worm gear bearing due to internal malfunction.
As for the coolant problem, although no fault codes were found, a techline case was opened, and the service team flushed and bled the hybrid cooling system. Despite these extensive efforts, the warning light continued to come on during later visits.
Some months after that repair, the coolant warning light had reappeared, along with new concerns over rear suspension noises. Again, technicians cleaned debris from the cooling system and attempted to duplicate the suspension complaint during a road test, but no issues were found.
Over the following months, additional service visits were required, including one for a tire rotation and inspection, and another about a year later for a software update to the high-voltage battery system as part of a factory campaign.
The client returned yet again a few months later, this time with a loose trunk spoiler, which the dealership repaired by re-securing missing nuts. Finally, later that year the inverter coolant light returned for the third time, prompting the client to request a full diagnosis.
Despite repeated service visits and prior repairs, the same coolant system issues persisted. Although further cleaning was recommended, the client declined due to the continued lack of a permanent solution for their Hyundai’s issues.
Despite multiple visits to the dealership and extensive repairs under warranty, the core issues—particularly related to the coolant system and the steering components—remained unresolved. Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, better known as the California lemon law, our client was entitled to seek legal recourse.
A vehicle that returns for repeated issues which impair its use, value, or safety may be deemed a lemon, especially if the manufacturer fails to provide a lasting solution within a reasonable number of repair attempts.
With the help of the Lemon Law Experts, our client successfully pursued a lemon law claim against Hyundai Motor America. The case concluded with Hyundai agreeing to repurchase the defective vehicle, including reimbursement of all monies they spent on the lemon vehicle and their legal fees and costs.
Given the recurring and unresolved issues with the vehicle, including the failure to repair persistent fuel pressure problems and stalling, our client was within his right to pursue a lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. In cases like this, where multiple repair attempts have failed, you’ll want the guidance of a lemon law expert to see if there are options for a vehicle buyback or replacement.
