There was a post I made at NHTSA investigating steering issues on 2011 Sonata?, where The Detroit News was reporting that an investigation was under way into the 2011 Hyundai Sonata over a steering issue, namely the linkages involved? Well, Hyundai and the NHTSA have officially recalled 139,500 2011 Sonatas for that same issue. Click past the jump for more details and the press release.
Apparently, more than the original 2 owners have complained about the steering linkages coming loose in their new Sonatas, and the NHTSA thought it was a serious enough malady that needs correcting.
Dealers will be inspecting the steering linkages in all of the recalled vehicles, and tightening or replacing them as necessary.
The recall is expected to begin in October, and concerned owners can call the Hyundai Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-633-5151.
[pressrelease]
Summary: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 2009, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2010. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN EITHER IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED. |
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| Consequence: IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF, OR REDUCTION IN, STEERING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. |
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| Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTIONS FOR PROPER ASSEMBLY AND TORQUE. IN ADDITION DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWER STEERING SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151. |
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| Notes: HYUNDAI’S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 097. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV . |
[/pressrelease]
by John Suit
Source: NHTSA