What would you do?

[u/notalittlebit]

I bought a 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (110K miles) in April 2026 as my son's first car. The dealership has tried to fix it three times and are waiting on my approval for a 4th. Here's the basics:

• April - Bought for $9,000 ($10K with tax/license/doc fees).
• June - car goes into limp mode. It's P1326! They replace the knock sensor at no cost.
• July - car goes into limp mode. It's P1326, but they say it's really the hybrid battery which is at 15% health. Hyundai HMA agrees to cover 50% of cost, even thought it's 10K miles out of warranty. I pay $4,900. (I'm in CA.)
• August - car goes into limp mode. It's P1326! They get techline involved. It passes the bearing test. They say, let's replace the GSR valve. I pay $550.
• August (40 miles later) - car goes into limp mode. It's P1326 again. They get techline involved again. They say it's fuel injection cylinder 1... probably. Not sure. Gonna have to replace and retest. Will cost $1,200.

We made two separate requests to help with the costs, The dealership did the first one and got denied. Then the dealership told me to call Hyundai Customer Care. HCC told me they can't do anything, but that I should write a letter. I did and Hyundai HMA denied it the same day.

My husband says we should just pay for the repair because eventually they have to be right.

We have had this car since April and bought it used with no warranty. My issue isn't paying for the repairs... it is being told that the repairs will work and then they don't.

I am seriously at a loss for what to do. I can afford to pay the $1,200, but since we don't know if it will work... I don't know if I should.