NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Wheels complaints
6 reportsClear category filter36,000 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Wheels
INSTALLED FOUR (4) BRAND NEW GENERAL ALTIMAX RT43 TIRES. NEW TIRES HAD 3877 MILES ON THEM WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SUFFERED A SUDDEN, RAPID LOSS OF AIR TRAVELING ON A MAINTAINED COUNTY HIGHWAY AT 55 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. THE TIRE WAS EXAMINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND DETERMINED TO HAVE A SLICE OR CUT IN THE SIDEWALL RESULTI…
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INSTALLED FOUR (4) BRAND NEW GENERAL ALTIMAX RT43 TIRES. NEW TIRES HAD 3877 MILES ON THEM WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SUFFERED A SUDDEN, RAPID LOSS OF AIR TRAVELING ON A MAINTAINED COUNTY HIGHWAY AT 55 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. THE TIRE WAS EXAMINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND DETERMINED TO HAVE A SLICE OR CUT IN THE SIDEWALL RESULTING IN EXTREME, RAPID TIRE FAILURE. THERE WAS NEITHER NO POTHOLE OR FOREIGN OBJECT TRAVERSED PRIOR TO THE EXTREME, SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE. HAVING BEEN A CERTIFIED EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS INSTRUCTOR, AND HAVING SERVED AS A COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AS AN ADVISOR FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS, I AM MOST CONFIDENT IN MY OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT. THE TIRE SIMPLY FAILED FOR NO IDENTIFIABLE, RATIONAL REASON.
NHTSA ODI #11378187
65,000 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Service BrakesWheels
IN FEBRUARY OF 2015, LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS SCREECHING WHEN IN MOTION LIKE A BELT IN THE ENGINE WOULD. I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY MADE ME AWARE THAT THE CALIPER HAD LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED & REPAIRED ALONG WITH A BRAND NEW …
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IN FEBRUARY OF 2015, LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS SCREECHING WHEN IN MOTION LIKE A BELT IN THE ENGINE WOULD. I TOOK IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY MADE ME AWARE THAT THE CALIPER HAD LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED & REPAIRED ALONG WITH A BRAND NEW ROTOR. I FIGURED THIS WAS JUST A ONE TIME ISSUE, UNTIL JUST THIS MONTH (FEBRUARY OF 2016) LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER REPAIRING THE CALIPER AND BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE LEFT REAR TIRE, A STRONG BURNING SMELL WAS APPEARING PERIODICALLY FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AFTER ANY DRIVE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SAME HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHO MADE ME AWARE THAT THE CALIPER WAS NOW LOCKED UP IN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AND REPAIRED. IN BOTH CIRCUMSTANCES I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE OFF THEIR LOT AND HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR TO LEAVE THE CAR FOR REPAIRS. I DID MY RESEARCH... APPARENTLY THIS SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAS GIVEN LOTS OF PEOPLE THE SAME ISSUES.. BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND IN BOTH CIRCUMSTANCES I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY CAR SEAT AGED TODDLER IN THE BACK SEAT. PLEASE HELP ME GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS!!
NHTSA ODI #10837541
20,670 miles · Mar 22, 2015
Wheels
.ON JAN 24, 2009, I PURCHASED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED FROM THE FAIRFAX HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP' LOCATED IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. ON MAR 27, 2010, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MY 15, 000 MILE SERVICE. I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT I DID NOT LIKE THE WAY IN WHICH MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS WEARING, AND REQUESTED THAT THEY LOOK A…
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.ON JAN 24, 2009, I PURCHASED A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED FROM THE FAIRFAX HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP' LOCATED IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. ON MAR 27, 2010, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MY 15, 000 MILE SERVICE. I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT I DID NOT LIKE THE WAY IN WHICH MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS WEARING, AND REQUESTED THAT THEY LOOK AT THE WHEEL AND ADVISE ME ACCORDINGLY. THE DEALER LATER ADVISED ME THAT I NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, AND FURTHER ADVISED ME TO HAVE THE ALIGNMENT DONE ON THAT VISIT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME THAT HIS TECHNICIAN WAD ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEMS PERFORMING THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE LEFT FRONT CAMBER AND TOW WERE OFF. CONSEQUENTLY, HE ADVISED ME THAT THE TECHNICIAN WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE ORIGINAL LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE. BETWEEN 2010 & 2014, THE NEGATIVE WEARING OF MY LEFT FRONT TIRE CONTINUED. THIS REQUIRED ME TO ROTATE MY LEFT FRONT TIRE CONSTANTLY, AND TO CHANGE MY TIRES FREQUENTLY. ON MAR 10, 2015, MY LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT COLLAPSED, AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. I WAS LATER ADVISED BY MY MECHANIC THAT FAIRFAX HYUNDAI' INSTALLED AN OFF- THE- MARKET- UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT WHEN THEY PERFORMED THE ALIGNMENT AND UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT, THE MECHANIC FURTHER ADVISED ME THAT IT APPEARS THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE DEALER INSTALLED AN OFF- THE- MARKET- UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT TO CORRECT THE MANUFACTURE DEFECT. 'FAIRFAX HYUNDAI NEVER INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE INSTALLING AN OFF-THE-MARKET PART TO MY VEHICLE. I LEARNED THIS FACT FROM MY MECHANIC FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT AN OFF- THE- MARKET- UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT WAS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE., AND THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A MANUFACTURE DEFECT ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10700980
30,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
TiresWheels
TIRES ARE CUPPING TERRIBLY. I HAVE REPLACED SO MANY TIRES DUE TO THIS ISSUES. HAD ALIGNMENT DONE AND PROBLEM STILL EXIST.
NHTSA ODI #10667817
43,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Power TrainService BrakesWheels
HEARD SQUEALING AND HOWLING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES HUNG UP AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTOR ($189.00). I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND NOTHING WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I PURCHASED THE ITEMS AND WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO BE REPLACED WE DISCOVERED T…
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HEARD SQUEALING AND HOWLING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES HUNG UP AND I NEEDED TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTOR ($189.00). I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE AND NOTHING WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I PURCHASED THE ITEMS AND WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO BE REPLACED WE DISCOVERED THE DUST BOOT WAS PULLED OUT OF THE CALIPER (WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT EVERY 7000 MILES THE CALIPERS WOULD NEED REBUILT. I'VE BEEN DRIVING AND GREW UP AROUND GARAGES AND NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525301
13,850 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Electrical SystemWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING A FLAT TIRE SHE NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS WORN. THE MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A COTTER PIN THAT WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS. ALSO, SHE ADDED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE TWO BATTERIES AF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING A FLAT TIRE SHE NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS WORN. THE MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A COTTER PIN THAT WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS. ALSO, SHE ADDED THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE TWO BATTERIES AFTER SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE CONSTANTLY NEEDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,850 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
NHTSA ODI #10419861
Official recalls
2Aug 12, 2013
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 1, 2005, through January 21, 2010; and model year 2006-2011 Azera vehicles manufactured September 27, 2005, through November 22, 2010 originally sold in, or currently registered in, 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 and water can enter portions of the rear crossmember, leading to corrosion of the crossmember steel. This may lead to detachment of one of the rear control arms.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Control arm separation may suddenly change the rear wheel alignment, affecting the handling of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair or replace the crossmember assembly. The recall began on October 8, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 113.
Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
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
3DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
PE13007 · Rear Control Arm Failure
Opened Mar 25, 2013 · Closed Aug 20, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear
In a letter dated August 9, 2013, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, Inc. (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that Hyundaiis conducting a safety recall (13V-354) involving approximately 239,000 vehicles involving model year (MY) 2006 through 2010 Hyundai Sonata vehicles (approximately 215,000)produced beginning on March 1, 2005 through January 21, 2010 and model year (MY) 2006 through 2011 Hyundai Azera vehicles (approximately 24,000) produced beginning on September 27, 2005 through November 22, 2010 that are registered in and operated or originally sold in the following 20 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 will also inform dealers to inspect/repair vehicles that were previously registered in salt belt states but are currently registered elsewhere. Hyundai is conducting the recall to remedy a defect involving internal corrosion of the rear sub frame that may lead to separation of the rear upper/lower control arm(s) at their respective mounting points and/or separation of the axle from the transaxle where they meet.This could result in a loss of vehicle control and/or vehicle disablement which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.In response to NHTSA?s Information Request (IR) letter, Hyundai stated the Azera vehicles utilizes the identical cross member and upper/lower rear control arm components as the subject (Sonata) vehicles.In analysis of both Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and consumer complaint data submitted to Hyundai, ODI identified 19 non-duplicative reports alleging excessive corrosion of the rear sub frame. All of the complaint vehicles were either originally sold or registered at the time of the incident in one of the salt belt states.Of these 19 reports, 9 alleged either a suspension component separation or a fracture of the vehicle's rear cross member assembly.Similarly, ODI identified 8 warranty claims of rear sub frame replacement in data submitted by Hyundai due to excessive corrosion, all of which involved vehicles originally sold or operated in a salt belt state. Based on Hyundai's decision to conduct a safety recall, (13V-354) this investigation is closed.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10535115, 10534110, 10525976, 10524726, 10521520, 10508368, 10505463, 10490073, 10486752, 10486435, 1048354, 10473922, and 10437887.
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