Santro engine failure 26,000 kms & 2 1/2 years only

On April 25, 2007 my two and a half year old Hyundai Santro Xing Santro engine failure 26,000 kms & 2 1/2 years only (also known as Hyunda Amica and Hyundai Atos in some markets - the car is exported in large numbers from India) suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. On towing to KUN Hyundai in Mount road, Chennai (Madras) I was told that the crankshaft has failed and needs to be replaced. Today I was told that several other parts of the engine have also failed. Mr.Balaji (Mobile no: 9840428764) of KUN Hyundai says that the repairs will be very expensive (more than Rs.35,000, which is more than 10% of the car's on-road price) and can return the car only after 10 days. Apparently spares are not available in Chennai and the engine also needs machining. My car was purchased in November 2004 (just 2 1/2 years ago), has done only about 26,000 Kms and has had regular services at authorised service centers (MPL and KUN), the last one just 2 weeks ago. I read about a similar complaint about a Santro purchased in November 2004; the link is below - http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/hyundai-santro-xing-c2582.html (Posted: 2006-12-05 by Thomsson A Jobin Crankshaft of my Santro Xing 2004 model is defective I purchased a Santro xing from Hyundai from a Kerala dealer of Hyundai India. The product did just 28000 kms and its crankshaft failed in just less than two years time and shockingly the company is not acknowledging this fact. I request all Santro Owners who purchased their cars around November 2004 to check their vehicle. I have raised the issue with company and am looking forward to their response on this issue and have not received any response till date.) I am very surprised that the crankshaft and engine of my car have failed so early. The car was purchased from MPL Hyundai and since they have shut down it is being serviced regularly at KUN Hyundai, Chennai; good fuel from popular petrol bunks is used; it is driven sedately in the city of Chennai only. 21st century petrol car engines are designed/ manufactured to last more than 2 lakh kilometers without any major repair; I am shocked with my bad experience. I bought this car in November 2004 after reading reviews and road tests on the internet, various auto and car magazines and talking to relatives and friends who had this car. Not one review or road test in November 2004 or my circle of contacts who had the Santro had faced such problems. May be the November 2004 batch or this particular car engine has some manufacturing defect. Here are more links: http://www.overdrive.in/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1487&highlight=santro+engine http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-term-ownership-reports/23551-hyundai-santro-xing-crankshaft-engine-repair-failure-only-26000-kms-2-1-2years.html http://www.indiacar.com/messageboard/reply.asp?msg_id=30459 Would like to hear from others with similar problems and suggestions on how to deal with this problem. M

Driving comfort & position, Manoeuvrability & parking easeUnreliable engine, rough back seat ride