Second Hyundai, 3 failed repairs, clutch gone at 57,000km – and all I got back was a policy statement

I am writing this as a genuinely disappointed customer. This is my second Hyundai Venue. I bought another one because I trusted the brand. After this experience, I am honestly questioning that decision.

My car has 57,000km on the clock and is still under warranty. It has been in for the same fault three times now, and it is still not fixed.

The problem: A stutter and noise from the gearbox in 1st gear, plus a rough idle when the engine is cold.

Visit 1: I reported the issues. I was told the stutter was fixed. I didn't even get 1km from the dealership before it stuttered twice. I was also told the rough idle was "normal" because the Venue has a 3-cylinder engine and it's "unbalanced." I later found out that is completely false. I felt like I was given a lazy excuse just to make me go away.

Visit 2: I took it back and insisted on driving with the mechanic so I could show him exactly what was happening. They ran tests and told me they had found the issue and just needed Hyundai SA to approve the warranty claim. I thought it was finally sorted. Nothing happened.

Visit 3: I was told by phone that the clutch was in stock and would be replaced on the same day, pending the test. My girlfriend took the car in for that test. They did the test, but they did not replace the clutch. Now I am being told the clutch has been ordered and I have to bring the car in for a 4th time.

My concerns:

A clutch failing at 57,000km is not normal. I am worried there is an underlying issue, maybe with the gearbox, that caused this. Even after they replace the clutch, how do I know it won't happen again? And once the warranty expires, that is going to be my problem.

The practical issues:

· I have wasted fuel and time driving back and forth. · I have had to take time off work. · My car has unnecessary kilometres and wear from all the test drives. · I have never been offered a loan vehicle, so I am stranded every time.

I contacted Hyundai SA directly and sent them a full, detailed email with everything that happened – the three failed visits, the false diagnosis, the broken promise about the clutch. Their only response was to tell me that loan vehicles are not part of their policy. That's it. No explanation for the failed repairs, no acknowledgement of the false information I was given, no reassurance about the clutch or the underlying issue. Just a statement about what they won't do.

That doesn't address anything. It doesn't tell me why my clutch failed so early. It doesn't tell me if there's a bigger problem. It doesn't tell me what happens if this recurs after the warranty. It just tells me they won't give me a car while mine is in the shop – again.

I'm not asking for a favour. I'm asking Hyundai to take responsibility for three failed attempts to repair a vehicle under its own warranty.

I've supported Hyundai by buying two of these cars. I don't want to take this further, but if this 4th visit doesn't finally sort everything out, I will be laying a complaint with MIOSA and the National Consumer Commission.

I just want my car fixed properly, and I want some assurance that this isn't going to happen again.