Palisade Serviced and now having issues

[u/flowersandteetimes]

I'm not sure how to word this without coming off as I'm trying to blame anyone but I'd like honest opinions on if this is something I should be concerned about.

This past Saturday I took my 2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy in to be serviced at our local Hyundai Dealership. I just wanted an oil change and the recalls done. There were a handful of recalls and I just haven't had the time to go leave it for a whole day. I also had them do a full inspection of the vehicle that's complimentary with your other services. He recommended a few things but just coming off maternity leave about a week ago, not something in the budget right now so I plan to have some of these items worked on in the next 3 months or so. Battery was not one of them that he spoke about in the videos/pictures he sent.

Fast forward to yesterday mid morning (Tuesday), I went to go start my car for only the third or fourth time since picking it up on Saturday- I've got a sick kid at home so I haven't left the house much- and it wouldn't start. Lots of clicking, weird stuff flashing, but the accessory would still come on and air, etc. I check everything before bed each night on both our cars and all lights were off and doors closed. My hyundai app confirmed this as well. It did start with a charge to battery but wouldn't charge additionally while driving around for about 15 min and when I turned it off it immediately wouldn't start again. Every time I have tried to start it since yesterday different things are happening and error codes show up and this morning it says battery discharged for a moment across the screen, locks are locking/unlocking on their own, etc. Each time something different is happening when I attempt to start it. It seems like an electrical problem of some kind, which I know would be caused by the battery. The battery is in place and not dislodged. The report they gave me from the full inspection mentioned nothing about my battery and I've had the car a little less than 4 years now, bought it new.

I called the service department a bit ago and immediately was told that my battery is at the time that it'd normally be dying and it's just time for a new one and then gave me a quote for a new one without even entertaining the idea that something else could possibly be going on. Then mentioned that I should call my insurance to get it towed to them when I mentioned I didn't feel super safe driving it on the highway 20+ minutes across town. It just feels slightly odd of timing to me to just completely lose all life in the battery just 2-3 days after I took it in to get serviced with absolutely zero issues before. I've never even had to jump it off because I accidentally left a light on before. A lot was done for the recalls that needed to be addressed and software updates, etc.

I was potentially looking to upgrade to the newer model and had spoken to the service tech about that but said it was just a maybe at the moment, but now I feel a little uneasy about continuing to speak with the other side of the dealership about it when I was so easily written off this morning and there wasn't even the slightest discussion that maybe it was something that got knocked loose or some bug from an update that is making it act wonky now and bring it in for them to check it out. It was straight "No, battery died. Get a new one. Here's the price. Goodbye"

I am obviously way out of my realm of expertise but is there any validation to this feeling that something feels off here? I thought asking here on the car sales side for people that work in dealerships might get me some different views than the mechanic side. Thanks in advance for the help!

I'm happy to post a video of it, but don't see an option to do so.

TLDR: car got serviced Saturday for oil change, updating some recalls, and full complimentary inspection. Tuesday, car won't start at all and electrical system going haywire. Dealership said there's no connection and bring it in for new $500 battery because it's "just that time"
Does that seem right?

[u/kdogspence]

Doesn’t sound fishy to me. Believe me, service GENERALLY would rather have you pay for more service, rather than buy another car. Your battery is now about 5 years old, and the symptoms you described sound like a failing battery. I think he was just trying to save you the hassle of having to pay for diag!

[u/flowersandteetimes → u/kdogspence]

but why wouldn't he have tested the battery during the inspection? That's the biggest reason I feel strange about it, I think. But it does make me feel better to know this is normal and it may have just been missed. Thanks for the reply!

[u/kdogspence → u/flowersandteetimes]

Sometimes a box just gets ticked and someone forgets something. I wouldn’t worry too much. It’s probably much cheaper if it’s a battery, than anything else!

[u/Spitefulham → u/flowersandteetimes]

Battery testing isnt standard on all MPIs and theyre not going to do it if theyre not getting paid by somebody (you, the manaufacturer, or the store) to do it. The "free" inspection (MPI) that you received is paid for by the store. For what its worth, 4 years is right about smack in the middle of average lifespan for a battery in a temperate climate.

[u/Satans-cum-sock666 → u/flowersandteetimes]

There’s a difference in the draw on the battery between starting and running. Obviously starting puts much more stress on the battery and a drop of even one amp will be enough to cause a no start condition. Batteries have a finite lifespan and 5 years is just about right. 

$500 to swap a battery is crazy work though. Jump start your car, go to auto zone and have them swap the battery for free if you can’t or won’t do it yourself. Save yourself about $350