NHTSA Complaint #10277032 — 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 44-55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO EXERT GREAT EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE STEERED ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE STEERING BEFORE IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A METAL NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME DETACHED FROM THE BODY DUE TO RUST CORROSION. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V124000 (SUSPENSION) WAS REFERENCED. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED IN CONJUNCTION TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REMEDY WAS NOT SUFFICIENT WITHOUT A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE UNTIL THE FRAME BROKE. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE ALIGNMENT OUT OF POCKET. UPDATED 10/20/09