This is the vehicle thinking that it’s being taken without the ignition key. In other words, stolen. The solution is to connect the negative terminal, then quickly put the key in the ignition and turn it on. This will let the car know that the key is present and there’s no threat of it being stolen.

Don’t be tempted to insert and turn the key to the on position and then connect the battery, as this could cause the battery terminal to throw a spark which is dangerous and could even send an electrical spike through the car’s computer.

You may also find that locking and unlocking with the key fob will also silence the alarm, but using the ignition key will be the quickest way to do this and minimise your neighbours’ wrath.

Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to get a manufacturer to pay for repairs on a car that is well and truly out of warranty (as a 2013 Hyundai, which came with a five-year warranty, is). The difference would be if the faulty radio was a pre-existing condition that Hyundai had been notified of before the warranty ran out.

It’s very unlikely that a car-maker would issue a recall for something like a faulty radio, as recalls are generally caused by safety-related problems and faults. But manufacturers do issue TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for non-safety problems.

I have heard of Hyundai radio units giving trouble, usually starting with a lack of volume and working their way up to no sound and then no power at all. The good news is that the trade knows about it and there are specialists who have a dedicated fix for these units. In the meantime, it would certainly be worth asking your Hyundai dealer if they’ll fix or replace the head-unit. For instance, since you’re obviously a Hyundai family, or if you were a long-time, repeat customer, you might find the dealership will listen sympathetically in order to keep your business into the future. But don’t go to the bank on it.

It’s a toss of a coin, both are good cars and should give you a good run for the five years you want to keep them.