Broken key

inmn · **June 15, 2011, 02:39:06**

I received 2 full keys when I purchased my i30cw in July 2010. I also purchased an extra one for emergencies, cost $291.25. A few months after owning the car I was doing some gardening and had the keys in my pocket, and when I next tried to drive the car I noticed the blade was missing, I never found the blade or the other bit of metal that broke off. I took it to the dealer who then informed me that I need to purchase a whole new key as the attachment to the blade was broken. I tried to argue that it should be covered as part of the warranty, but failed miserably.

Yesterday, another key failed in the same manner. This time I have the blade and the piece that broke off. I don't think the failure is caused by the way I use it, but as a result of inherent weakness in the piece of metal that holds the blade. I am going to go back to the dealer and tell them now that it has happened twice, in the 1st 12 months of owning the vehicle that it should be fixed / replaced for free under warranty.

Does anyone have any tips of how to approach the dealer? Is there anything I can threaten them with.
I have been very happy with the car and the dealership have provided excellent service apart from this one issue.

Dazzler · **Reply #1: June 15, 2011, 10:52:40**

Hi inmn.. That is a strange one certainly not a common occurrence for 1, let alone 2 keys to break..

I would go the soft line to start with...

"I have been really pleased with the car so far and your service has been really good... I was disappointed that you didn't help me with the other broken key BUT I would really appreciate you helping me with this one"

Then if you get no response or a negative one ramp things up a bit ...

Shambles · **Reply #2: June 15, 2011, 11:20:59**

Sparki seemed to get a result:

https://www.i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=4328.msg45125#msg45125

Dazz-the-diplomat suggests an approach I would agree with... make them feel that they're letting you down by not calling head office and asking about what is plainly a substandard assembly

rustynutz · **Reply #3: June 15, 2011, 13:06:32**

I quite often find that the key will pop open out of the keyfob while in my pocket....so easy to see how it could get snapped off if you happen to end up sitting on it or something.

beerman · **Reply #4: June 15, 2011, 13:46:39**

The only problem you have is that no one else had had this problem (to my knowledge).

Thus making it more difficult to argue a defect, as opposed to your usage of the key.

I would think your best approach would be softly softly pointing out two of the same faults....and hoping for the best.

If that fails, then its going to be the threat of small claims court and the suggestion that it is more than likley that a Magistrate has had a bad car experence.

WylieCoyote · **Reply #5: June 16, 2011, 07:08:43**

At the service centre when I was getting my i30 serviced, a gent walked in and said plainly that "my key has broken" and showed the service attendant. The service attendant straight away made arrangements to source another key.

You need to take all working/good keys as well when you go there as they have to 're-program' all keys to the car.

No need to get agro straight away...

inmn · **Reply #6: July 10, 2011, 12:41:38**

No luck, I dropped off the key and they said they would order one. Took nearly 3 weeks (busy service centre). They claimed that they requested from Hyundai that it be covered by warranty. I have no idea if this is true or not, and then made me pay $325 for the replacement key (I had paid $291.25 as I mentioned in an earlier post).

Clearly there is an issue with these types of key. The mechanic was kind enough to demonstrate it. He took me to my car, locked the steering wheel and showed me that if you try to turn the key it won't, no matter what force you use. You have to gently turn the steering wheel just a few degrees before you can then turn the key to unlock the steering wheel.

Unfortunately, I have only ever used much stronger one-piece keys. I probably used too much force on occasion and wrecked the joint where the blade connects to the pivot, although it actually fell apart in the bag I carried it, with the blade tucked in.

It would have been nice to have this demonstrated when I purchased the car, as now I don't have the extra spare key, and have had to purchase another one at full price, and I suppose even then, when you are in a rush it is easy to use to much force.

So let this be a warning to others like me who are used to much stronger one piece keys.

**Reply #7: July 10, 2011, 13:33:49**

Gosh, this has been a $600 discovery for you. I'm surprised though that you needed to discover that you need to take the pressure off the locking pin before the key will turn.

Just the same, it's a good reminder considering the costly consequence... and I have taken note to take greater care.

2i30s · **Reply #8: July 11, 2011, 11:52:06**

it may be an idea not to turn the steering wheel to engage the steering lock after you remove the key.

Gibber · **Reply #9: July 11, 2011, 21:27:04**

The steering lock is rather aggressive

compared to other makes from my experience. One of my keys had a hairline crack where the blade went into the metal pivot at the point where the pin holds the blade in. Got it replaced under warranty before it failed.

inmn · **Reply #10: July 12, 2011, 01:41:13**

Quote from: Pip on July 10, 2011, 13:33:49

Gosh, this has been a $600 discovery for you. I'm surprised though that you needed to discover that you need to take the pressure off the locking pin before the key will turn.

Just the same, it's a good reminder considering the costly consequence... and I have taken note to take greater care.

I am assuming the mechanic was correct. But I still have my doubts. If I was using to much force, would it not have broken as I tried to turn the key in the ignition?
Instead of falling apart in my bag. I have broken 2 keys, which admittedly is a very small sample size, but I would not have expected it to fall apart either in my pocket or in a bag as it did.

Surferdude · **Reply #11: July 12, 2011, 07:31:21**

^^^^^^

I tend to agree here. The key would definitely be expected to fail when being used, not later when at rest.

I've realised since reading this that I almost never activate the steering lock. It might kick in occasionaly if the wheel is at the right angle and I touch it getting out - or back in.
And I've realised I haven't used the steering lock in any car since my first Renault in 1968 which was one of the first cars ever to have this feature.
The moment anyone tries to move the car without the key it's going to lock anyway.

unfamilia · **Reply #12: July 12, 2011, 09:54:28**

I don't don't use the steering lock cause I've seen the damage that can happen when they tow a car from a clearway zone of some people that lock it at full turn. Not nice when the car is being dragged forwards sometimes

sparki30 · **Reply #13: December 27, 2011, 18:04:06**

Well would you believe it, nearly 2 years to the month the key broke in the ignition snapping off in the same place as before ! dealer supplied new fob and put my key blade on it , under warranty. What happens next time as it will be out of warranty.

eye30 · **Reply #14: December 27, 2011, 19:31:10**

Quote from: sparki30 on December 27, 2011, 18:04:06

What happens next time as it will be out of warranty.

Just break it before the warranty expires to get a new one.

You do have 2 don't you?

Phil №❶ · **Reply #15: December 27, 2011, 21:17:42**

At $300+ a piece, I think I'll get a Stainless Steel one fabricated. By the look of the photos, it's pretty poor metal.

Funky · **Reply #16: December 27, 2011, 21:50:49**

This is a known problem.

The key blade retainer has been modified to reduce the incidences of them breaking. Whether you have been supplied with the improved key fob I couldn't say.

2i30s · **Reply #17: December 27, 2011, 21:54:32**

there is usually one on eBay for sale,sold the car and still have the spare scenario.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #18: December 27, 2011, 22:29:17**

Saw one for $28.00 inc programmable chimp.

rustynutz · **Reply #19: December 27, 2011, 22:56:42**

Quote from: 847563 on December 27, 2011, 22:29:17

Saw one for $28.00 inc programmable chimp.

What a bargain, I always wanted my own mon-key....

2i30s · **Reply #20: December 27, 2011, 23:00:03**

Quote from: rustynutz on December 27, 2011, 22:56:42

Quote from: 847563 on December 27, 2011, 22:29:17
Saw one for $28.00 inc programmable chimp.

What a bargain, I always wanted my own mon-key....

it could be a trunk monkey.

succulant · **Reply #21: December 29, 2011, 18:56:42**

According to the Honest John website, broken keys are becoming a more common problem so it sounds like its a design fault or a weakness in the metal used to make them.

Phil №❶ · **Reply #22: December 30, 2011, 04:14:38**

Haha

Took me a couple of days to see I spelt chip, chimp. You guys are great.

sparki30 · **Reply #23: December 30, 2011, 08:28:46**

Hi eye, only one blipper key

new fob looks the same as old one but has a 'cheap' feel to it compared with the old one

eye30 · **Reply #24: December 30, 2011, 17:25:15**

Quote from: sparki30 on December 30, 2011, 08:28:46

Hi eye, only one blipper key new fob looks the same as old one but has a 'cheap' feel to it compared with the old one

When I bought mine they provided 1 remote and a key.

Later cars had 2 remotes so I complained and after several emails I was given a 2nd FOC.

Shambles also got a 2nd

https://www.i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=3964.msg39507#msg39507

sparki30 · **Reply #25: December 31, 2011, 22:13:50**

Hi eye, tried to get a second blipper when I got the car spoke to dealer and HY customer services but no luck. Mine was a 4 month old demo perhaps that made a difference. Do have the standard key. When the key was replaced I asked if I could have the old blipper back (to use in conjunction with the standard key) but they said it had to go back to HY. Bet it went in the bin

eye30 · **Reply #26: December 31, 2011, 22:52:56**

Quote from: sparki30 on December 31, 2011, 22:13:50

Hi eye, tried to get a second blipper when I got the car spoke to dealer and HY customer services but no luck. Mine was a 4 month old demo perhaps that made a difference. Do have the standard key. When the key was replaced I asked if I could have the old blipper back (to use in conjunction with the standard key) but they said it had to go back to HY. Bet it went in the bin

I now have key and 2 remote flippers.

I explained that if another person was using the car with the key then they couldn't set the immobiliser/alarm correctly and this may have an effect on my insurance.