A woman’s recent car purchase turned into a nightmare just minutes after leaving the lot. According to her Reddit post, she purchased a 2017 Nissan Rogue with 50,000 miles from a Hyundai dealership that operates a large used-car lot in Canada. The $15,000 purchase seemed routine until the vehicle started behaving erratically on the highway.
“Less than 15 minutes after leaving the lot, the car broke down on the highway,” she wrote, “it started speeding up and slowing down on its own while I was going around 90 km/h,” i e., about 55 mph, “and I had to get it towed back that same night.”
The next few days brought little reassurance. She said no one from the dealership contacted her to confirm they had the car. Repeated calls went unanswered, with staff saying only that the managers were “too busy.”
“It was really frustrating, especially after paying $15,000 (Canadian) in cash,” she added.
A CVT issue
When the dealership finally called back, the sales manager informed her that the vehicle’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) had suffered significant damage, so much, in fact, that the dealership would not allow her to keep the car. They offered her a full refund, including towing fees, or the option to select another vehicle from the lot.
The buyer brought an independent inspector to the dealership to help compare options. After test-driving several vehicles, she chose a 2020 Hyundai Kona with 80,000 miles, listed about $5,000 higher than the Rogue. Following some negotiation for her inconvenience, she paid only $2,000 more out of pocket.
She said the dealership ultimately resolved the issue and that she was satisfied with the outcome, though she admitted she was still frustrated by the ordeal.
Out of the Rogue frying pan, into the Kona fire
But her decision to stay with the same dealership sparked debate among commenters. One Reddit user wrote, “Why on earth would you buy a different car from the same dealership? You were offered your cash back, you should’ve run.”
Her candid reply: “To be honest, I just wanted this whole thing to be over lol. They broke me down. I couldn’t even think about having to redo that whole process in another dealership which I’m pretty sure they knew.”
But her troubles may not be over. Another commenter warned, “Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you just leaped out of the oven and into the frying pan on that Hyundai Kona. It has the infamous oil burning and engine failure. Do a quick Google search of ‘2020 Hyundai Kona engine failure.’”
That warning is not without merit. Reports from CarComplaints, Consumer Reports, and owner forums confirm that the 2020 Hyundai Kona has faced engine and oil-consumption complaints, with some drivers alleging early engine failures or high repair costs.
Although some defects are covered under warranty and recall programs, consumer advocates still recommend that used-car buyers research reliability data before buying.
Ultimately, the Redditor fell victim to a common trap for used-car shoppers: hidden mechanical issues and mounting frustration that can lead to impulsive choices. As she put it, “Lesson learned that buying a car is a contact sport.”
