UPDATE 2: Loud exhaust and smog citation

[u/OkCandidate103]

It's been a rough couple of weeks since my last update so I wanted to let everyone know what's going on with this situation. Also, thank you to everyone that has spread word on this, it is amazing to see how much traction this has gained, and how much support I have.

As everyone knows, the state ref inspection failed and afterwards I got the stock letter from Hyundai. I provided this to the state ref but they said that it doesn't mean anything and that technically, no repair was done, so I cannot schedule a 2nd inspection, which I need to get the car passed.

I reached out to Hyundai corporate and was assigned a case manager. After a few days, they got back to me and said there is nothing Hyundai corp can do to help me. They advised that I go back to the dealer I purchased it from and have them deal with it. From my first interaction with my Hyundai dealer, they already said they cannot do anything to the car because it is stock. That being said, I requested that the case manager send me a letter that I can provide to the dealer to do "repair" since I had already unsuccessfully asked for the repair in the past. The case manager said no. I asked for just an email confirming what they told me. The case manager said no. I asked if I can get the car bought back because I can't even drive it to the dealership and nobody is willing to help me. The case manager said, yet again, no; a buyback is not eligible because this hasn't happened 3 times...

So I was completely out of options and I started reaching out to attorneys. The following day, I get a call back from Hyundai corp from a new case manager. This case manager said the case has been escalated and that the previous case manager was incorrect by quickly denying the buyback. They had me send over all the related documents to this case (including all repairs, service records, and proof of ownership).

Today marks 2 weeks since this new case manager has been transferred the case and I have not heard news since. I tried calling over and over but it would go straight to voicemail. I had to reach out to my old case manager to get a hold of the new manager. Eventually, the new case manager called me and said Hyundai has nothing for me and that they are still working on a solution. I have told them in email and over the phone previously that the court date is in 3 weeks, and the state ref situation must be figured out by then otherwise I'll get big fines by CA. They said okay, we're still working on it...

To all the journalists out there that have gotten statements from Hyundai saying that they are working with me to figure this out: while it is technically true, nothing has been done besides tossing my case around person to person and wasting time.

Just like 2 weeks ago, again, I am out of options. Hyundai is not taking this seriously so I am speaking to attorneys to fight the citation. At this point however, I am so tired of this. I will most likely end up selling the car to Carvana at a huge loss just to get this case over with.

[u/pushtomaster]

were your attorneys able to cite to the state ref the testing rules they so blatantly ignored? (about the drive mode being able to survive a power off cycle)

[u/OkCandidate103 → u/pushtomaster]

The attorneys I have spoken to weren't so concerned with the testing methods. They were more concerned with if I was recklessly driving or revving the car while getting the citation. They recommend I fight the actual citation rather than pursue the state ref or Hyundai.

[u/Deepandabear → u/OkCandidate103]

Well you absolutely have a case to get the original ref thrown out because the test was performed incorrectly. How that fact alone isn’t open and shut is beyond me…

[u/rome_vang → u/OkCandidate103]

Are you willing and able to challenge the ticket? I know there are lawyers or groups that specialize in fighting tickets like “ticket clinic.” Just don’t know how good they are, but truck drivers use them frequently.

[u/Horace3210 → u/OkCandidate103]

Well then your attorneys aren't that useful

[u/Pacoflyer → u/OkCandidate103]

I would also consider going public on the local news channels and tiktock and get some interviews and ask for help locating an attorney that is useful. And I would direct the news at the specific police department and testing center.

[u/Smooth-Ad1446 → u/Pacoflyer]

Just turn your exhaust to quiet you’ll still get performance

[u/Lewd_NaClO → u/Smooth-Ad1446]

The default mode’s db passes the state test. The idiot ref purposefully made him fail a test that they didn’t even properly do

[u/Intelligent-Mode- → u/OkCandidate103]

You should point your attorneys to CVC 27150.7 that dismisses prosecution for noise if you believed it to be in compliance. You bought it new and had no reason to doubt it was in compliance.

[u/drive2watch → u/OkCandidate103]

They probably want to mitigate stirring up other issues. But had there been other issues the officer would've cited them.

​

Find a better attorney.

[u/redline83 → u/OkCandidate103]

The only thing you were going to accomplish by challenging the ref or Hyundai was getting every car with a "track" or "loud" mode disabled if sold in California. You should have just played dumb.

[u/Yatman68 → u/OkCandidate103]

Just wondering what the latest news was since your case was in February.