These pro mechanics recommend that you steer clear of a popular car brand in a popular video.
We all want a reliable car in our driveway. At least one, that is. Something that can get us from home to our appointments, responsibilities, and loved ones without issue. Well, the professional mechanics at Royalty Auto Service maintain that you should avoid a major Korean car brand if you don’t want a repair and maintenance headache.
Georgia-based ASE mechanics at Royalty Auto Service said buying a Hyundai could be your ticket to ‘limping home’
In a viral TikTok video with nearly 850,000 views, the ASE-certified mechanics at Royalty Auto Service are gathered around a ten-year-old Hyundai. They wear derisive looks on their faces as they assess the 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The Tucson is one of the brand’s popular SUVs and a 20-year-old nameplate, but it’s not without its faults.
In the video, a mechanic with a nametag that read “Sherwood” explains why he wouldn’t wish this 118,000-mile Tucson on his most irritating acquaintances. For background, the vehicle’s owner brought the vehicle in after it entered “limp home mode.” The mode is a protective feature that attempts to avoid further damage or total failure during a serious fault.
The mode deactivates all non-essential functions, like air conditioning and infotainment. However, it’s also a signal to the driver that it’s time for service. “People wonder why I don’t recommend Hyundai! Well, here it is,” Sherwood joked looking at the Tucson.
Upon starting up the Hyundai SUV, the four-cylinder sounded a bit like an improvised musical instrument from a coffee can. Not a great sound for an engine to make. Frankly, the 2015 through 2018 Hyundai Tucson models were some of the most problematic, citing engine and transmission issues, per CarComplaints. It should be noted that the pre-2010 models are considered much more reliable according to the volume of consumer reports.
Now, don’t think Royalty Auto Service’s scathing indictment of Hyundai vehicles means they won’t judge other marques. In another PSA-style TikTok video, Sherwood implores car buyers to use an independent pre-purchase inspection (PPI) before any used car deal. He uses a Jeep Wrangler JK as an example of just how much can go wrong with a used car purchase.
