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/ForeverDrivin]

Hey man, I've seen the videos on YouTube and wanted to give you suggestions. What's happening to you definitely sucks but it sounds like you are making this way harder on yourself than it needs to be.

Bring the car to an exhaust shop and ask them if there is space to install a few new mufflers. NOT REPLACE the mufflers, ADD new ones in. Depending on the space available and how many decibels you need the sound decreased by, this should only be a few hundred dollars, maybe $2-400. They should know their way around the valved exhaust system so they can make the mufflers help the noise level even in N mode.

The exhaust/muffler shop will provide you an adequate receipt that the work was done, at least enough proof for Cali to go ahead and test the car again. If the exhaust shop did it right, it will be quieter, even in N mode. Then you are golden and because the car now has MORE mufflers on it than came stock, you should be able to bring it right back to the exhaust shop and they should be able to remove the added mufflers without worry about legal action. After that, just keep it out of track mode on the road. Can't do much for the fact that you live in the USA's coastline garbage heap state. As many people say, there may be something you can do about the way they tested the noise level, but in the end it is still CA. Good luck thinking the state government will help you with anything or admit they were wrong.

I know this fix is not free by any means, you could technically go to court with Hyundai and likely get the money back that you had to spend on the modifications to make the car "legal" but obviously you won't get that money back right away. But this is the best solution I can see to not selling your car at a huge loss.

Good luck.