2003 Hyundai Tiburon 4cyl clutch problem. Replaced at 13,000 miles and it is going again at 41,000. I bought the car new and I am 44 years old and I don't abuse the car.

- Stratford, CT, USA

I bought a 2003 Tiburon 6/15/05, for $14,000 8/27/05 started making grinding noises, smoking, sounded like engine blew up. Towed to romero motors, Ontario, closest Hyundai dealer. I had original warranty & extended warranty. Romero motors said replace clutch $1,400. I could not afford it & took to my mechanic. Opening engine hood there were metal shavings all over engine, and it cut tranny case in half. I called claremont Ford/Mazda (purchased car there)and was instructed to bring it to them. They towed it to romero motors. I called claremont Ford/Mazda and was advised to call romero motors. Again, I was told by romero motors it was clutch wear N tear item & clutch took out transmission/no coverage under warranty. New estimate $3,400, and to my horror charged $818 tear down fee to put car back together. I again took it to my mechanic, purchased $920 in parts to fix problem paid my mechanic to fix. 100% Hyundai parts. It ran a week and gears went out, this time I took it to a different dealership, glendora Hyundai, where I had bought parts they gave me estimate of $2,700 gear shift installed backwards tearing up transmission again. I have known this mechanic for 24 years and he told me he put the shifter in exactly the way he took it out. Glendora Hyundai said that they received numerous complaints about romero motors all the time, that romero's mechanics had probably just thrown my car back together, not bothering to put everything where it belonged, broken parts were left on front seat. So it was very possible that the gearshift was in backwards. This car cost me $4,700, was down from 8/27/05 until one week ago. I have pictures of the clutch and tranny case showing damage, close to sawing into passenger compartment. I filed a complaint with the bar and they cited romero motors. My life has been one big nightmare since 8/27, now I'm finding out this is hydraulic problem and will happen every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. 8jb

- Pomona, CA, USA