NHTSA Complaint #10112072 — 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

MY 2002 V6 4WHEEL DR HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65- 70 MPH DROPPED A DRIVE LINE, IGNITING FLAMES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. LITHIA OF FRESNO CLAIMS IT WAS DUE TO LOW FLUIDS IN THE TRANSFER CASE, THUS IT OVERHEATED AND THE LINE SNAPPED OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED 2 WEEKS PRIOR, THE FLUIDS WERE FINE, THE TRANSFER CASE WAS OKAY. THERE WAS A VAGUE HUM IN THE DRIVE OF THE CAR AFTER RETURNING FROM THE MOUNTAINS THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. OTHER 2ND OPINIONS BELIEVE THE AUTO SWITCH IN THE SMART SYSTEM FAILED AND LEFT IT STUCK IN 4WHEEL DR HENCE OVERHEATING THE TRANSFER CASE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARANTY FOR REPAIRS (120,000 ON POWER TRAIN/ENGINE) THEY DENIED THE WARANTY COVERAGE, SO IT'S NOT REPAIRED. ESTIMATE IS OVER $6,000.00. THERE SHOULD BE AN INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE CAR AS TO WHAT DRIVE IT'S IN, AND ENGINEERING MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND HAZZARD. INVESTIGATE PLEASE.*AK