Hyundai Repair: 2000 Hyundai Sonata, hyundai sonata, trouble code

Question
Hi!  I have a Hyundai Sonata with a V6 engine (2000 model).  It currently has around 66,000 miles.  Around 55,000 miles the check engine light came on and I began to notice that the car would "hang/surge" as you gained speed and the car automatically shifted into the next gear.  I took it to the dealership TWICE for this problem...both times they said they hooked it up to the machine and found no problems.  Basically telling me it was all in my head.  It's not.  I really love my little car and other than this have had no problems with it.  I can't help but think this is something that eventually is going to tear my transmission completely up...but according to them everything is perfectly fine.  I'm at a loss on what to do...any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks a bunch! :) Shelia

Answer
If your check engine lamp is coming on, there's a problem.  If you took the car to the dealer in a timely manner, and the dealer told you nothing was wrong and did not report any trouble code, then you have a serious issue with them, especially if the car was originally within the warranty period when you took it in the first time.  

You're right to think this needs to be addressed.  I'd suspect that you have a problem with an input or output speed sensor, but without the diagnostic trouble code(s), I'm pretty much guessing wildly.

Here's your options:

1.  Contact the dealer where you originally took the car and ask to speak to the service manager (not an advisor or assistant manager).  Explain your issue to him (calmly and politely) and request that they check your car for free because they've done essentially nothing (check engine lamp was on, no reported trouble codes, said there was no problem) the previous two visits.  If the manager won't agree to this, don't go back to that dealer.

2.  Contact Hyundai customer assistance and explain your problem to them.  They will make a case and contact a dealer local to you (possibly the one you've already been to) to address your problem.  It'll probably be best if you've already made plans to take the car in when you call them.  That way you can tell them which dealer you'll be taking the car to so they can contact that dealer.

3.  If you've got another dealer locally, you can just take the car there.  

4.  Take the car to any good *driveability* shop.  Recognize that with this option, you'll be responsible for the cost of all repairs.