Cars - For Car Enthusiasts

I had the exact same thing happen, just with a 2014 Hyundai. Only aftermarket remote starts were available when I bought the car, so that's what was installed at the dealer. Took it in for a recall repair 3 years later and the remote start was broken when I picked the car up.

Contacted multiple dealerships and they wouldn't touch it since it's aftermarket (despite being installed at a dealer). The shop that did the recall repair flat out said I couldn't prove it was their work that broke it so they're not responsible. My only option was to take it to a local shop that does that type of work. Audio install and aftermarket mod shops were the best bet.

If it worked before you took it in and it doesn’t now. Then they broke it. They are legally liable for damages they did.

I bet they installed the anti-theft update (which comes with stickers on the windows) which doesn’t work with remote starts. I heard about some update to that update being in the works but who knows if that’s true.

I’d say you’re probably SOL - there have been post-security update glitches that a battery disconnect or reinstall didn’t fix and unless it was common enough to be spotted (like the update killing Elantra GT rear wipers) you’ll be SOL while the dealer will be happy to shotgun parts at it on your dime.

If there’s a way to downgrade and install aftermarket security + starter kill with your remote start that’d be nice but don’t know if it’s feasible.

I told my family members with affected vehicles to document that EVERY FEATURE WORKS at the dealer before getting the update done. I’m holding off since I already got an aftermarket security + remote start kit installed before the update became available and I have the same, if not better protection in the end.

Was it factory or aftermarket remote start?

If it is factory, they should fix it. If its aftermarket, did that dealer install the kit? If not, then they're not responsible for it. Get your insurance to pay for repair or installation of a new aftermarket kit.

I was a Hyundai dealer technician for 4 years. I wouldn't touch aftermarket parts, not because they're "hard to install" (they're not), but because I cannot guarantee the reliability of that part. If I installed an aftermarket part, then I would be "getting married to your car." Every time your car ever had a problem with that aftermarket kit, you would come back to complain and I would have to deal with diagnosing, removing, and installing another kit for free. I don't know about you, but I don't exactly like working for free because of something I cannot control.

Is the check engine light on?