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2002 Hyundai Sonata

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 161.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

225 reports with mileage · 94 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

31 crash reports4 fire reports35 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

23 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2008
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

DOORS LOCK REMOTE WONT UNLOCK CAR IF I USE THE KEY TO THE DOOR ALARM GOES OFF AND I CANT SHUT IT OFF. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10213810

74,000 miles · Mar 9, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ,WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR, AND THE…

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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ,WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR, AND THE TIMING BELT. THE MECHANIC MADE THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THE NEXT DAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR AND THE TIMING BELT. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALERSHIP THEN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MODULE ASSY- TIMING AND ALARM SYSTEM WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE MODULE ASSY- TIMING AND ALARM SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THIS REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 74000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10184634

57,500 miles · Feb 20, 2007
Electrical System

MY 2002 HUNDAI SONATA BLK 4 DOOR AUTOMATIC. I STARTED TO GET IN THE CAR THURS MORNING 2/15/07 AT 4AM. THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WOULD NOT GO IN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE DID ADVICE TO PUT A NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. HE SAID IT WAS TIME FOR A REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN GOING TO HIM FOR SOME TIME. AND FIND HIM VERY R…

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MY 2002 HUNDAI SONATA BLK 4 DOOR AUTOMATIC. I STARTED TO GET IN THE CAR THURS MORNING 2/15/07 AT 4AM. THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WOULD NOT GO IN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE DID ADVICE TO PUT A NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. HE SAID IT WAS TIME FOR A REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN GOING TO HIM FOR SOME TIME. AND FIND HIM VERY REPUTABLE IN THE AREA. HOWEVER, THE TOW MAN ALSO COULD NOT PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR AT HIS SHOP THE KEY WENT IN. BATTERY WORKS GREAT. SO THE NEXT MORNING 2-16-07 THE IGNITION WOULD NOT GO IN AGAIN. I CALLED MY DEALER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THERE. THEY SAID IT DIDN'T DO THAT FOR THEM THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. THEY TRIED THE KEY ALL DAY. THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT THE TIME OF TESTING THE SITUATION THERE. THE CAR IS UNDER A POLICY OF WARRANTY FOR 60,000.00 MILES. HOWEVER, I COULD GIVE THEM $160.00 TO OPEN UP THE IGNITION TO THE TUMBLER. I FEEL THAT IF ITS UNDER WARRANTY THAT THEY SHOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THERE ONLY SUGGESTION WAS TO TOW IT AGAIN IF IT PERSISTS. I SAID WHAT IF I GET STRANDED, AND YES, I HAVE NO CELL PHONE. THEY SAID JUST CALL THE 800# ANWAYS FOR TOW. SO I WASN'T SATISFIED AT GRAPPONIES IN CONCORD NH. SO I ASKED AUTO FAIR IN MANCHESTER, THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I THINK THAT ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE TOW MAN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MYSELF. AND THAT WE HAVE TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS FOR THEM, THAT THEY WILL REPAIR AT NO COST AT THAT TIME. WHEN ITS' UNDER THE WARRANTY. MY FEELING IS THAT BOTH DEALERSHIPS THAT ARE LOCAL DON'T WANT TO EAT THE PART FOR INVENTORY, IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG W/THE CHIP IN THE TUMBLER. SO I GUESS I HAVE TO JUST CROSS MY FINGERS TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. GRAPPINE DID MAKE ME A NEW KEY FOR THE IGNITION. SO I'M A FRUSTRATED CONSUMER IN MANCHESTER, NH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10183091

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2006
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

1) ENGINE LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH 2) FAN KNOB FOR HEATING/AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK ON 1 OR 2, IT WILL ONLY WORK ON 3 OR 4. THIS IS A NEW PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176916

27,000 miles · Jun 23, 2005
Electrical System

DT: THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTINGLY STOPS WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER SAYS SHE HAS TRIED TO SEE IF SPEED OR DISTANCE AFFECTS IT. SHE SAYS THERE IS NO REASON THAT SHE CAN SEE TO MAKE IT STOP WORKING. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE 5TH TIME TODAY. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE DEALER TO GET IT F…

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DT: THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTINGLY STOPS WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER SAYS SHE HAS TRIED TO SEE IF SPEED OR DISTANCE AFFECTS IT. SHE SAYS THERE IS NO REASON THAT SHE CAN SEE TO MAKE IT STOP WORKING. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE 5TH TIME TODAY. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED. SHE SAID OTHER ELECTRIC COMPONENTS ARE NOT WORKING AS WELL. THE DOORS, WINDOWS, AND CLOCK ARE SLOWLY GETTING WORSE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONCERNS THAT IT MIGHT LEAD TO SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS, LIKE A FIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10126330

43,000 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainCrash

8/27/02 BELT NOISE AND BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE PULLEY BELT WAS REPLACED. 1/33/03 RECALL ON <A ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE 'AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A></A> WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. …

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8/27/02 BELT NOISE AND BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE PULLEY BELT WAS REPLACED. 1/33/03 RECALL ON <A ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE 'AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A></A> WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. 9/8/03 CAR ENGINE RACED TO 5000-6000 RPMS, HAD TO TURN OFF IGNITION. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN FIND NO EXPLANATION. 9/16/03 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHILE IN PARK, ENGINE RACES TO 5000 RPMS. AFTER 3 RESTARTS AT THE IGNITION, THE IDLE RETURNS TO NORMAL. 9/21/03 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WAIT TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. 10/7/03 SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY CAN FIND NO PROBLEM. 10/23/03 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS A LEAK IN THE FILL VENT VALVE, REPAIR. 12/18/03 RECALL SERVICE DONE. 5/9/04 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IGNORE, IT GOES OFF AFTER TWO WEEKS. 8/6/04 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IGNORE, IT GOES OFF AFTER TWO WEEKS. 11/4/04 WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING. COLLISION OCCURS, ACCELERATION CONTINUES, CAR SPINS OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS TWO LANES AND INTO A GRASSY FIELD. I PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR FROM CONTINUING INTO THE FENCEPOST. PATROLMAN SAID THE THROTTLE WAS OPEN. INSURANCE COMPANY VALUED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN: THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. AFTER IMPACT THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING AND SHE WAS STILL PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE PULLED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE OFFICER ON THE SCENE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. *TC YHE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10098876

42,000 miles · Sep 16, 2004
Electrical SystemSuspension

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE ALREADY FILED ONE COMPLAINT ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SENSORS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 9 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS ONE. NOW IT IS A CAM SENSOR AND I BELIEVE A SPEED SENSOR. NOT ONLY THAT BUT BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. IT HAS ROUGHLY 78,000 MILES. YOU CAN ONLY GET PARTS AT A DEALERSHIP. THE PA…

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE ALREADY FILED ONE COMPLAINT ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SENSORS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 9 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS ONE. NOW IT IS A CAM SENSOR AND I BELIEVE A SPEED SENSOR. NOT ONLY THAT BUT BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. IT HAS ROUGHLY 78,000 MILES. YOU CAN ONLY GET PARTS AT A DEALERSHIP. THE PARTS ARE NOT ONLY OVERPRICED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES OUTRAGEOUS PRICES TO DO ANYTHING. YOU CAN UNHOOK THE BATTERY AND THE LIGHT WILL STAY OFF FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIX IT AND THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON IN A SHORTER AMOUNT OF TIME THAN UNHOOKING THE BATTERY. I HAVE SPOKE WITH HYUNDAI WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED AND ALL YOU GET IS WE'LL FIX IT UNTIL THE WARRANTY IS UP THEN YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK. I CAN'T KEEP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OFF LONG ENOUGH TO EVEN SELL IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10091095

20,000 miles · Mar 29, 2004
Electrical System

ONSUMER STATED EVERY TIME SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE SHE WAS BEING SHOCKED. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, BUT HDS NOT DETERMINED WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10065105

27,727 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN APRIL OF 2002. AS OF MARCH OF THIS YEAR AT 27,700 MILES, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT 5 SEPARATE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT SHOWED AN OXYGEN SENSOR. WITHIN THE NEXT 100 MILES IT WAS ON AGAIN, THIS TIME IT WAS AN EVAP CODE AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SEA…

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I HAVE A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN APRIL OF 2002. AS OF MARCH OF THIS YEAR AT 27,700 MILES, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT 5 SEPARATE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT SHOWED AN OXYGEN SENSOR. WITHIN THE NEXT 100 MILES IT WAS ON AGAIN, THIS TIME IT WAS AN EVAP CODE AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SEAL SO THEY TIGHTENED IT. WITHIN ANOTHER 100 MILES IT CAME ON AGAIN AND WAS ANOTHER OXYGEN SENSOR. IT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS (AND AROUND 9,000 MILES) AND THIS TIME IT WAS THE EVAP CODE AGAIN AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE FUEL CAP. THIS HAD TO BE ORDERED AND I CALLED BACK AFTER THREE WEEKS AND SOMEONE HAD FORGOT TO ORDER IT SO IT AFTER ALL TOOK 3 MONTHS TO REPLACE IT. IN THE MEANTIME THE CAR WAS DETAILED AND THE COMPANY UNHOOKED THE BATTERY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH (THE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN IT WENT TO THE DETAIL COMPANY). SO THE FUEL CAP WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WITHIN 100 MILES AFTER. THIS TIME IT WAS 3 DIFFERENT CODES. ONE FOR ANOTHER OXYGEN SENSOR, ONE FOR A THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR, AND ONE FOR A FUEL INCREMENT SENSOR. I AM AT 47,800 MILES NOW AND I AM TOLD THAT IT COULD TAKE A FEW MONTHS TO GET THE OXYGEN SENSOR DUE TO HYUNDAI UPDATING THE SENSOR DUE TO A DEFECT. BY THE TIME MY CAR IS FIXED, THIS TIME THE WARRANTY WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE UP OR CLOSE TO IT AND ALL I CAN GET FROM HYUNDAI IS THAT THEY WILL FIX IT UP TO THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY AND IF THE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER THAT IT IS MY PROBLEM. THEY SAY IT IS NOT A CONCERN DUE TO SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY TIME. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041491

14,000 miles · Sep 15, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB FOR THIS ISSUE.*AK HOUSER DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE AND CONFIGURATION. ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, AL…

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WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB FOR THIS ISSUE.*AK HOUSER DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE AND CONFIGURATION. ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND DRIVE BELT. ALL WORK WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034222

Official recalls

7

09V317000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Aug 7, 2009

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 82 MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATING. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY THAN MORE THICKLY PLATED AREAS AS THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED. THE WORN CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE HANDLE MAY RESULT IN A CRACK OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE, WHICH MAY FORM A SHARP EDGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A SHARP EDGE COULD LACERATE OR OTHERWISE INJURE A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-787-999-3333.

09V171000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

May 21, 2009

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 91,350 MY 2002-2003 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATE. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING, THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY THAN MORE THICKLY PLATED AREAS AS THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED. THE WORN CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE HANDLE MAY RESULT IN A CRACK OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE, WHICH MAY FORM A SHARP EDGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY INFLICT LACERATION INJURIES TO ANYONE USING THE DOOR HANDLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

09V124000 · Suspension

Apr 16, 2009

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

04V369000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

Jul 26, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

04V178000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Apr 9, 2004

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V097000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

Mar 17, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS), IF THE T125/70D-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON A FRONT WHEEL POSITION, THE TCS MAY INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATE BEGINNING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE TCS WILL CAUSE AUTOMATIC APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE AT THE WHEEL WHERE THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED. INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE, AND MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 20 MPH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE WITH A NEW LARGER DIAMETER T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE AND A NEW TIRE PRESSURE LABEL WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO THE T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2002 THROUGH DECEMBER 16 2002, ALREADY CONTAIN T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRES, WILL ONLY REQUIRE NEW TIRE PRESSURE LABELS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

02V145000 · Air Bags:side/window

May 24, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS MAY BE TOO SENSITIVE TO SOME LATERAL ACCELERATIONS THAT ARE NOT CAUSED BY SIDE IMPACTS TO THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS FORCEFULLY SLAMMING A DOOR CLOSED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF A SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WHEN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH HAS NOT OCCURRED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

PE08071 · Interior Door Handle Laceration Hazard

Opened Dec 15, 2008 · Closed May 29, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION.THE RECALL AFFECTS 91,202 MY 2002-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JANUARY 28, 2002, THROUGH MARCH 22, 2003.THE VEHICLE RECALL POPULATION WAS DEFINED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S USE OF A NEW SUPPLIER FOR THE CHROME PLATING PROCESS BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2002, AND A PRODUCTION CHANGE IN MARCH 2003 TO IMPROVE ADHESION OF THE PLATING TO THE DOOR HANDLE.VEHICLES BEING RECALLED REPRESENT 59 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL MY 2002-2003 PRODUCTION, BUT ACCOUNT FOR 91 PERCENT OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RECEIVED.THE PROCESS CHANGE FOR MY 2002 VEHICLES RESULTED IN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS (1200 PERCENT ON A PER UNIT RATE BASIS).MY 2003 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER MARCH 2003 PRODUCTION CHANGE SHOWED A SIMILAR DECLINE IN THE COMPLAINT RATE.BASED ON THE MANUFACTURER'S ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

EA08016 · Front SUB-FRAME Corrosion

Opened Aug 21, 2008 · Closed Apr 20, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure; Structure:frame And Members; Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT HYUNDAIIS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 20, 2003 THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING SALT BELT STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AT THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE TRANSAXLE.THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT. THE SUBFRAMES WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED SUBFRAMES.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING SUBFRAME. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 98% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 99.7% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 105 REPORTS OF LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AND/OR AXLE SEPARATION FROM THE TRANSAXLE THROUGH ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.ONE HUNDRED THREE (103) OF THE 105 INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, HYUNDAI ALSO NOTED IN THE APRIL 14, 2009 LETTER THAT MY 2001 THROUGH 2004 XG300 AND XG350 WERE ALSO BEING RECALLED AS THEY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBFRAMES SIMILAR IN DESIGN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Structure:frame And Members

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT HYUNDAIIS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 20, 2003 THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING SALT BELT STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AT THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE TRANSAXLE.THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT. THE SUBFRAMES WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED SUBFRAMES.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING SUBFRAME. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 98% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 99.7% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 105 REPORTS OF LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AND/OR AXLE SEPARATION FROM THE TRANSAXLE THROUGH ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.ONE HUNDRED THREE (103) OF THE 105 INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, HYUNDAI ALSO NOTED IN THE APRIL 14, 2009 LETTER THAT MY 2001 THROUGH 2004 XG300 AND XG350 WERE ALSO BEING RECALLED AS THEY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBFRAMES SIMILAR IN DESIGN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Structure

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT HYUNDAIIS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 20, 2003 THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING SALT BELT STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AT THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE TRANSAXLE.THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT. THE SUBFRAMES WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED SUBFRAMES.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING SUBFRAME. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 98% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 99.7% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 105 REPORTS OF LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AND/OR AXLE SEPARATION FROM THE TRANSAXLE THROUGH ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.ONE HUNDRED THREE (103) OF THE 105 INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, HYUNDAI ALSO NOTED IN THE APRIL 14, 2009 LETTER THAT MY 2001 THROUGH 2004 XG300 AND XG350 WERE ALSO BEING RECALLED AS THEY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBFRAMES SIMILAR IN DESIGN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Suspension:front:control Arm

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT HYUNDAIIS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 20, 2003 THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING SALT BELT STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AT THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE TRANSAXLE.THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT. THE SUBFRAMES WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED SUBFRAMES.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING SUBFRAME. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 98% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 99.7% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 105 REPORTS OF LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AND/OR AXLE SEPARATION FROM THE TRANSAXLE THROUGH ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.ONE HUNDRED THREE (103) OF THE 105 INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, HYUNDAI ALSO NOTED IN THE APRIL 14, 2009 LETTER THAT MY 2001 THROUGH 2004 XG300 AND XG350 WERE ALSO BEING RECALLED AS THEY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBFRAMES SIMILAR IN DESIGN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Suspension:front

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT HYUNDAIIS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 20, 2003 THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING SALT BELT STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AT THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE TRANSAXLE.THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT. THE SUBFRAMES WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED SUBFRAMES.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING SUBFRAME. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 98% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 99.7% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 105 REPORTS OF LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AND/OR AXLE SEPARATION FROM THE TRANSAXLE THROUGH ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.ONE HUNDRED THREE (103) OF THE 105 INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, HYUNDAI ALSO NOTED IN THE APRIL 14, 2009 LETTER THAT MY 2001 THROUGH 2004 XG300 AND XG350 WERE ALSO BEING RECALLED AS THEY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBFRAMES SIMILAR IN DESIGN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Suspension

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT HYUNDAIIS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 20, 2003 THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING SALT BELT STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AT THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE TRANSAXLE.THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR VEHICLE DISABLEMENT. THE SUBFRAMES WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED SUBFRAMES.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING SUBFRAME. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 98% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 99.7% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 105 REPORTS OF LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AND/OR AXLE SEPARATION FROM THE TRANSAXLE THROUGH ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.ONE HUNDRED THREE (103) OF THE 105 INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, HYUNDAI ALSO NOTED IN THE APRIL 14, 2009 LETTER THAT MY 2001 THROUGH 2004 XG300 AND XG350 WERE ALSO BEING RECALLED AS THEY WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBFRAMES SIMILAR IN DESIGN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

PE08029 · Front SUB-FRAME Corrosion

Opened Apr 22, 2008 · Closed Aug 21, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members; Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE08-029, ON APRIL 22, 2008, BASED ON 40 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES.COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME IN THE AREA WHERE THE RIGHT-FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ATTACHED.IN SOME VEHICLES, SUB-FRAME CORROSION HAS CAUSED COMPLETE OR PARTIAL DETACHMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM, RESULTING IN WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER FOR PE08-029, HYUNDAI PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS, AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 197,906 MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD OR LEASED IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 60 MONTHS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE ROAD SALTS MAY RESULT IN CORROSIVE DAMAGE TO THE SUBFRAME.HYUNDAI REDESIGNED THE SUB-FRAME EARLY IN THE MY 2004 PRODUCTION (NOVEMBER 2003) TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE CROSSMEMBER NEAR THE RIGHT-FRONT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF BOTH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA FOR THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SONATA VEHICLES SHOWS THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER IN SALT BELT STATES, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF VEHICLE SALES AND OVER 90 PERCENT OFCOMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT (NOTE:FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME AND THERE IS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE DETECTED (BY INSPECTION, STEERING FEEL OR TIRE WEAR ANOMALIES) AND REPAIRED BEFORE IT REACHES A STATE WHERE A SAFETY RELATED INCIDENT MAY OCCUR.HYUNDAI IDENTIFIED 4 ALLEGATIONS OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND 1 ALLEGATION OF A CRASH; WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND DROVE INTO A YARD.THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES.ODI RECEIVED A SEPARATE ALLEGATION OF A CRASH, WHERE THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE AT 65 MPH ON A FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME FRACTURED AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT OFF THE ROAD.AGAIN, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGE THAT THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE DISABLEMENT DUE TO WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-016) COVERING MY 1999 THROUGH EARLY-2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES IN SALT-BELT STATES AND EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT SUB-FRAME DESIGN TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Structure:frame And Members

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE08-029, ON APRIL 22, 2008, BASED ON 40 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES.COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME IN THE AREA WHERE THE RIGHT-FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ATTACHED.IN SOME VEHICLES, SUB-FRAME CORROSION HAS CAUSED COMPLETE OR PARTIAL DETACHMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM, RESULTING IN WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER FOR PE08-029, HYUNDAI PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS, AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 197,906 MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD OR LEASED IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 60 MONTHS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE ROAD SALTS MAY RESULT IN CORROSIVE DAMAGE TO THE SUBFRAME.HYUNDAI REDESIGNED THE SUB-FRAME EARLY IN THE MY 2004 PRODUCTION (NOVEMBER 2003) TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE CROSSMEMBER NEAR THE RIGHT-FRONT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF BOTH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA FOR THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SONATA VEHICLES SHOWS THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER IN SALT BELT STATES, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF VEHICLE SALES AND OVER 90 PERCENT OFCOMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT (NOTE:FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME AND THERE IS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE DETECTED (BY INSPECTION, STEERING FEEL OR TIRE WEAR ANOMALIES) AND REPAIRED BEFORE IT REACHES A STATE WHERE A SAFETY RELATED INCIDENT MAY OCCUR.HYUNDAI IDENTIFIED 4 ALLEGATIONS OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND 1 ALLEGATION OF A CRASH; WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND DROVE INTO A YARD.THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES.ODI RECEIVED A SEPARATE ALLEGATION OF A CRASH, WHERE THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE AT 65 MPH ON A FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME FRACTURED AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT OFF THE ROAD.AGAIN, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGE THAT THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE DISABLEMENT DUE TO WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-016) COVERING MY 1999 THROUGH EARLY-2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES IN SALT-BELT STATES AND EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT SUB-FRAME DESIGN TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

Suspension:front:control Arm

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE08-029, ON APRIL 22, 2008, BASED ON 40 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES.COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME IN THE AREA WHERE THE RIGHT-FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ATTACHED.IN SOME VEHICLES, SUB-FRAME CORROSION HAS CAUSED COMPLETE OR PARTIAL DETACHMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM, RESULTING IN WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER FOR PE08-029, HYUNDAI PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS, AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 197,906 MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD OR LEASED IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 60 MONTHS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE ROAD SALTS MAY RESULT IN CORROSIVE DAMAGE TO THE SUBFRAME.HYUNDAI REDESIGNED THE SUB-FRAME EARLY IN THE MY 2004 PRODUCTION (NOVEMBER 2003) TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE CROSSMEMBER NEAR THE RIGHT-FRONT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF BOTH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA FOR THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SONATA VEHICLES SHOWS THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER IN SALT BELT STATES, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF VEHICLE SALES AND OVER 90 PERCENT OFCOMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT (NOTE:FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME AND THERE IS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE DETECTED (BY INSPECTION, STEERING FEEL OR TIRE WEAR ANOMALIES) AND REPAIRED BEFORE IT REACHES A STATE WHERE A SAFETY RELATED INCIDENT MAY OCCUR.HYUNDAI IDENTIFIED 4 ALLEGATIONS OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND 1 ALLEGATION OF A CRASH; WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND DROVE INTO A YARD.THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES.ODI RECEIVED A SEPARATE ALLEGATION OF A CRASH, WHERE THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE AT 65 MPH ON A FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME FRACTURED AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT OFF THE ROAD.AGAIN, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGE THAT THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE DISABLEMENT DUE TO WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-016) COVERING MY 1999 THROUGH EARLY-2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES IN SALT-BELT STATES AND EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT SUB-FRAME DESIGN TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

Suspension:front

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE08-029, ON APRIL 22, 2008, BASED ON 40 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES.COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME IN THE AREA WHERE THE RIGHT-FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ATTACHED.IN SOME VEHICLES, SUB-FRAME CORROSION HAS CAUSED COMPLETE OR PARTIAL DETACHMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM, RESULTING IN WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER FOR PE08-029, HYUNDAI PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS, AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 197,906 MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD OR LEASED IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 60 MONTHS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE ROAD SALTS MAY RESULT IN CORROSIVE DAMAGE TO THE SUBFRAME.HYUNDAI REDESIGNED THE SUB-FRAME EARLY IN THE MY 2004 PRODUCTION (NOVEMBER 2003) TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE CROSSMEMBER NEAR THE RIGHT-FRONT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF BOTH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA FOR THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SONATA VEHICLES SHOWS THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER IN SALT BELT STATES, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF VEHICLE SALES AND OVER 90 PERCENT OFCOMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT (NOTE:FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME AND THERE IS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE DETECTED (BY INSPECTION, STEERING FEEL OR TIRE WEAR ANOMALIES) AND REPAIRED BEFORE IT REACHES A STATE WHERE A SAFETY RELATED INCIDENT MAY OCCUR.HYUNDAI IDENTIFIED 4 ALLEGATIONS OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND 1 ALLEGATION OF A CRASH; WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND DROVE INTO A YARD.THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES.ODI RECEIVED A SEPARATE ALLEGATION OF A CRASH, WHERE THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE AT 65 MPH ON A FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME FRACTURED AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT OFF THE ROAD.AGAIN, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGE THAT THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE DISABLEMENT DUE TO WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-016) COVERING MY 1999 THROUGH EARLY-2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES IN SALT-BELT STATES AND EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT SUB-FRAME DESIGN TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

Suspension

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE08-029, ON APRIL 22, 2008, BASED ON 40 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 THROUGH 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES.COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME IN THE AREA WHERE THE RIGHT-FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM IS ATTACHED.IN SOME VEHICLES, SUB-FRAME CORROSION HAS CAUSED COMPLETE OR PARTIAL DETACHMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM, RESULTING IN WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER FOR PE08-029, HYUNDAI PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS, AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FOR APPROXIMATELY 197,906 MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES SOLD OR LEASED IN THE UNITED STATES.THE BASE WARRANTY FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS 60 MONTHS OR 60,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE ROAD SALTS MAY RESULT IN CORROSIVE DAMAGE TO THE SUBFRAME.HYUNDAI REDESIGNED THE SUB-FRAME EARLY IN THE MY 2004 PRODUCTION (NOVEMBER 2003) TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE CORROSION OF THE CROSSMEMBER NEAR THE RIGHT-FRONT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF BOTH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA FOR THE MY 1999 THROUGH 2002 SONATA VEHICLES SHOWS THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER IN SALT BELT STATES, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF VEHICLE SALES AND OVER 90 PERCENT OFCOMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT (NOTE:FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTS IN A PROGRESSIVE LOSS OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME AND THERE IS AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE DETECTED (BY INSPECTION, STEERING FEEL OR TIRE WEAR ANOMALIES) AND REPAIRED BEFORE IT REACHES A STATE WHERE A SAFETY RELATED INCIDENT MAY OCCUR.HYUNDAI IDENTIFIED 4 ALLEGATIONS OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND 1 ALLEGATION OF A CRASH; WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND DROVE INTO A YARD.THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES.ODI RECEIVED A SEPARATE ALLEGATION OF A CRASH, WHERE THE COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE AT 65 MPH ON A FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUB-FRAME FRACTURED AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT OFF THE ROAD.AGAIN, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI ALLEGE THAT THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE DISABLEMENT DUE TO WHEEL COLLAPSE OR SEPARATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-016) COVERING MY 1999 THROUGH EARLY-2004 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES IN SALT-BELT STATES AND EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT SUB-FRAME DESIGN TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

PE05059 · Tire Valve Stem Failures

Opened Nov 7, 2005 · Closed May 11, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires; Tires:valve; Wheels:hub

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), PE05-059, BASED ON NINE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES.THE ALLEGED VALVE STEM FAILURES OCCURRED ONLY AFTER TIRE REPLACEMENT FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (OE) TIRE (MICHELIN 205/65R15 ENERGY MXV4 PLUS) TO A NON-OE? AFTERMARKET TIRE.NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT OF THE AFTERMARKET TIRES ALLEGED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES WERE DETERMINED TO BE AFTERMARKET TIRES PRODUCED BY BRANDS OF MICHELIN GROUP (BF GOODRICH AND UNIROYAL).MICHELIN ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 MAKING RETAILERS AWARE OF A POTENTIAL WHEEL COVER INCOMPATIBILITY WITH BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/AAND TOURING T/A PRO SERIES TIRES THAT COULD CAUSE WHEEL COVER MOVEMENT AND IN EXTREME CASES TIRE VALVE DAMAGE. MICHELIN HAS, ADDITIONALLY, REDESIGNED THE BF GOODRICH AND UNIROYAL TIRES ALLEGEDLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE STEM FAILURES, AS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF CALENDAR YEAR 2006. THE PREVIOUS DESIGN VERSION OF BOTH TIRES IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO ODI FOR TIRES MANUFACTURED AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REDESIGNED TIRES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, INJURIES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Tires

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), PE05-059, BASED ON NINE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES.THE ALLEGED VALVE STEM FAILURES OCCURRED ONLY AFTER TIRE REPLACEMENT FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (OE) TIRE (MICHELIN 205/65R15 ENERGY MXV4 PLUS) TO A NON-OE? AFTERMARKET TIRE.NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT OF THE AFTERMARKET TIRES ALLEGED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES WERE DETERMINED TO BE AFTERMARKET TIRES PRODUCED BY BRANDS OF MICHELIN GROUP (BF GOODRICH AND UNIROYAL).MICHELIN ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 MAKING RETAILERS AWARE OF A POTENTIAL WHEEL COVER INCOMPATIBILITY WITH BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/AAND TOURING T/A PRO SERIES TIRES THAT COULD CAUSE WHEEL COVER MOVEMENT AND IN EXTREME CASES TIRE VALVE DAMAGE. MICHELIN HAS, ADDITIONALLY, REDESIGNED THE BF GOODRICH AND UNIROYAL TIRES ALLEGEDLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE STEM FAILURES, AS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF CALENDAR YEAR 2006. THE PREVIOUS DESIGN VERSION OF BOTH TIRES IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO ODI FOR TIRES MANUFACTURED AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REDESIGNED TIRES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, INJURIES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Tires:valve

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), PE05-059, BASED ON NINE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES.THE ALLEGED VALVE STEM FAILURES OCCURRED ONLY AFTER TIRE REPLACEMENT FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (OE) TIRE (MICHELIN 205/65R15 ENERGY MXV4 PLUS) TO A NON-OE? AFTERMARKET TIRE.NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT OF THE AFTERMARKET TIRES ALLEGED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES WERE DETERMINED TO BE AFTERMARKET TIRES PRODUCED BY BRANDS OF MICHELIN GROUP (BF GOODRICH AND UNIROYAL).MICHELIN ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 MAKING RETAILERS AWARE OF A POTENTIAL WHEEL COVER INCOMPATIBILITY WITH BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/AAND TOURING T/A PRO SERIES TIRES THAT COULD CAUSE WHEEL COVER MOVEMENT AND IN EXTREME CASES TIRE VALVE DAMAGE. MICHELIN HAS, ADDITIONALLY, REDESIGNED THE BF GOODRICH AND UNIROYAL TIRES ALLEGEDLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE STEM FAILURES, AS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF CALENDAR YEAR 2006. THE PREVIOUS DESIGN VERSION OF BOTH TIRES IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO ODI FOR TIRES MANUFACTURED AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REDESIGNED TIRES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, INJURIES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Wheels:hub

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), PE05-059, BASED ON NINE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES.THE ALLEGED VALVE STEM FAILURES OCCURRED ONLY AFTER TIRE REPLACEMENT FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (OE) TIRE (MICHELIN 205/65R15 ENERGY MXV4 PLUS) TO A NON-OE? AFTERMARKET TIRE.NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT OF THE AFTERMARKET TIRES ALLEGED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES WERE DETERMINED TO BE AFTERMARKET TIRES PRODUCED BY BRANDS OF MICHELIN GROUP (BF GOODRICH AND UNIROYAL).MICHELIN ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 MAKING RETAILERS AWARE OF A POTENTIAL WHEEL COVER INCOMPATIBILITY WITH BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/AAND TOURING T/A PRO SERIES TIRES THAT COULD CAUSE WHEEL COVER MOVEMENT AND IN EXTREME CASES TIRE VALVE DAMAGE. MICHELIN HAS, ADDITIONALLY, REDESIGNED THE BF GOODRICH AND UNIROYAL TIRES ALLEGEDLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE STEM FAILURES, AS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF CALENDAR YEAR 2006. THE PREVIOUS DESIGN VERSION OF BOTH TIRES IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO ODI FOR TIRES MANUFACTURED AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REDESIGNED TIRES.THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, INJURIES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.