u/rohan-patel

▲ 1 r/legal

[MD] Denied manufacturer buyback on a defective EV under warranty. Next legal steps?

I am seeking guidance on the best path forward regarding a consumer warranty dispute for a leased 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6.

I recently went through an grueling corporate escalation process with Hyundai Executive Customer Care to request a vehicle repurchase/lease termination due to persistent, severe mechanical defects. They called me today to officially deny the buyback, stating my only recourse is to continue taking the vehicle to dealerships for existing and new issues indefinitely.

Because the vehicle has 28,000 miles, it falls outside Lemon Law mileage limit (18,000 miles). Today, the vehicle's air conditioning completely failed and began emitting a loud mechanical failure noise.

I am driving a vehicle that I do not feel safe commuting to work in, and local dealerships have multi-week waitlists for diagnostics with zero loaner availability.

My Questions:

  1. Given that I am past the state-specific Lemon Law mileage but well within the manufacturer's warranty, does this qualify as a strong Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (Breach of Warranty) case?
  2. What are the practical steps for filing an official auto-dispute complaint with theMaryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division? Does that usually move the needle with a stubborn manufacturer?

Edit 1:

Crucial Case Context & Dealership Failures:

  • Post-ICCU Failure & Replacement Noise: After the critical ICCU failed and was replaced, the vehicle began emitting an abnormal sound. I took it to the dealership twice; they brushed it off both times, claiming it wasn't concerning and that they couldn't replicate it. I captured video evidence because the sound specifically triggers in freezing temperatures. Now that the weather has warmed up, the dealership uses the excuse that it "cannot be replicated" to deny repairs.
  • Post-Tire Replacement Vibration: Immediately after paying $1,200 out of pocket for a dealership-recommended tire replacement, the car developed a severe chassis vibration and noise above 60 MPH. I took it to the dealership twice for this issue:
    • Visit 1: The service department flat-out denied any issue existed.
    • Visit 2: A different technician finally confirmed the abnormal vibration. They claimed something in the front end was loose, "tightened it," and said it was fixed. It was not.
      •  When I messaged my dealership service advisor to ask how many more times I am expected to keep risking my safety and taking time off work for a persistent issue they cannot fix, they completely ghosted me and refused to respond.
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u/rohan-patel — 3 days ago
▲ 9 r/Ioniq6

Post-ICCU repair issues, constant defects, A/C died today. Executive Care denied my buyback—what are my options?

Hey everyone,

I’m at my absolute breaking point with my leased 2024 Ioniq 6 SEL. After months of cascading mechanical failures, Hyundai’s Executive Customer Care team officially denied my buyback request. Their brilliant solution? Keep bringing it back to the dealers “as many times as needed” for existing and new issues, paying out of pocket for rentals, and waiting months for reimbursement.

Getting here was a joke. I emailed CEO José Muñoz a month ago, which got me an "Executive" case manager. She missed her callback deadlines twice, so I pushed back, a second manager was assigned. That manager asked for another two weeks, when I called out my lack of trust, a third manager was assigned. This final guy promised an update by today, noting his hours were 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM PST. When he finally called at 5:23 PM to tell me to kick rocks, I called him out on the delay. He arrogantly doubled down, saying "it's still Friday" and claiming “his hours recently changed significantly”.

Here is the timeline of what I’ve been dealing with since my ICCU failed (despite passing the Dec 2024 recall inspection):

1. Air Conditioning Failure & Grinding Noise (July 3, 2026 - Today)

Today, on one of the hottest days of the year, the AC completely died and started throwing out a horrific abnormal noise. Dealers are booked out for weeks with zero loaners available.

https://youtube.com/shorts/bzYc34wRyQU?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/4rpE0049uxQ?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/jc3nimxLX1I?feature=share

2. Severe Vibration > 60 MPH after Tire Replacement (May 2026)

Paid $1,200 for a new set of tires. Immediately after, the car started vibrating above 60 MPH. I went back twice; the first tech dismissed it, the second tech acknowledged it, and then the Service Advisor completely ghosted my texts when I asked how many times I'm expected to bring this car back for the same issue. Filed a dispute with credit card company which was denied. So, I filed dispute again (awaiting bank response).

https://youtube.com/shorts/FqdowWrDxmg?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/dh23s6TJnp4?feature=share

3. High-Pitched Noise Post-ICCU & 12V Replacement (March 2026)

immediately after the ICCU and 12V battery replacement. Two separate dealerships dismissed it as "normal" despite clear video evidence. Happens only in freezing weather so could not replicate as weather got warm in March. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/vfZ0K7i_quw?feature=share

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vfZ0K7i_quw

Has anyone successfully hired a lawyer to force a buyback after the Executive team showed you middle fingers? Any advice on how to break through their arrogance?

Current mileage: 28k (so does not qualify for lemon law)

Leased: May 2024 (in New York but moved to Maryland now)

u/rohan-patel — 3 days ago