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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigating Hyundai Sonata i45

By Brett Davis |

The NHTSA in the US is investigating a steering-related problem with the Hyundai Sonata – our Hyundai i45. Although the investigation does only affect American models, the concern could become more widespread.

Only after being on sale for a few months in America, the Sonata has received various awards and praises from journalists and automotive experts since. The car could now be facing a recall though that could affect 16,300 of the vehicles.

There has been reports of a connection problem within the steering universal joint assembly. If the connection separates a complete loss of steering will result. Hyundai has reported only two incidents where this steering universal joint has caused an issue, but no reports of injuries or accidents has eventuated from this.

Hyundai has reported it will completely cooperate with the NHTSA and its investigation. According to sources, the NHTSA will release the findings in a couple of weeks.


 

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  • http://www.facebook.com/sammo.8191 Sam Moss

    Hyundai have been doing so well recently, but it’s a shame that little things like this crop up every now and then. All it does is give the Korean haters something else to yack on about.

  • gd

    “There has been reports of a connection problem within the steering universal joint assembly”
    >> sound like a assembly error to me.
    ——————
    Quote from LAT

    “Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor said the company isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries connected to the issue and is fully cooperating with NHTSA in its investigation. He said Hyundai had reports of two vehicles with a steering problem connected to the upper universal joint and both were repaired.”
    —————–
    Only two problem reported, and it repaired.

    They sold 16,300 sonata in U.S.
    2 / 16,300 = 0.0012%

    I think NHTSA really harass foreign makers. They did not hide its problem. They are not god. 2 problem from 16,300, unfailry bashing to me.

    • Bezza

      I too am wondering at how we are suddenly reading of these NHTSA things every couple of days. Either the agency is trying to prove itself or CarAdvice have just found their news feed.

      The other answer could just be that the planets are in the sign of the Gremlins.

      :)

      • John of Perth

        American bureaucracy at its best – we continue to suffer their over reaction to passenger screening when we fly and the poor manufacturers are going to see more of it now as well.

    • The Oracle

      It really doesn’t matter if it is two or two thousand cars that have the problem. The number is irrelevant. What is important is the nature of the fault. A steering failure is of course very serious. I wouldn’t like to be the poor bugger driving any car and have the steering fail.
      All this talk of witch hunts, harrassing foreign manufafturers and preferential treatment for other makes is rubbish. Show me the proof of you assertion.

    • dodg

      This is the result of Toyota and the NHTSA’s failures regarding Toyota’s gas pedal/floor mats. I think you’ll see similar scrutiny for all makes foreign and domestic the next couple of years.

      If this was an American car manufacture would it take 5-7 years to hear about this?

  • Car Fanatic

    Same as the recall on the Mazda 3, NHTSA had 33 complaints about power steering faults for 500,000 cars sold. I wonder how many GM’s, Ford and Chrysler owners need to complain before NHTSA open a witch hunt on them?

  • Car Fanatic

    Just did a check, it seems the NHTSA launched an investigation on the Ford Windstar after 234 complaints. Big difference from 33 or 2 even.

    • 70′s Datsun

      So whats your point??

      • okies

        You don’t get the point???
        Gee.. you are so slow.

        • 70′s Datsun

          Well why dont you clarify it for me instead of being a jerkface

          • J

            Both okies and Car Fanatic are referring to the comment made by Car Fanatic earlier. On how it took NTHSA 234 Fords to start up an investigation vs 33 for Mazda.

  • bangel

    Hyundai lovers out in force i see , gee its different when its toyota .

    • Martin

      Toyota’s fault was more widespread and caused deaths. So far, only two incidents of this issue are known in the i45 and no accidents or injuries have occurred. So yes, it is different when it’s Toyota. Did you even read the article?

      • bangel

        Just an average korean car , yes it will have faults , like all the others , but this could be quite serious .

  • Ricky

    Not relevant to Australia. US Sonatas are built in the US, ours are made in Korea. And ours are right hand drive, so totally different beast.

    • The Oracle

      That is the most sensible comment written on this topic. (Apart from mine of course!)

      PS Anti-spam ws Hyundai LOL