NHTSA Complaint #10521520 — 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA

I WENT TO A SEARS AUTO CENTER BACK IN DECEMBER 2012 TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. IN THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY 2013, I WENT BACK TO SEARS TO HAVE MY ALIGNMENT RECHECKED BECAUSE I WAS EXPERIENCING SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. THEY TOLD ME MY REAR BRAKE SHOES WERE CORRODED AND FALLING APART AND I NEEDED TO CHANGE THEM, ALONG WITH GETTING NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. AFTER HAVE THESE PARTS INSTALLED, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME OVER REGARDING MY ALIGNMENT AND SAID THE REAR SUSPENSION FRAME WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED IN 2 PLACES, CAUSING THE TOW TO GO OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID I NEEDED TO EITHER REPLACE THE WHOLE SUBFRAME OR HAVE A STEEL BEAM WELDED TO IT FOR STABILITY SO THEY COULD GET THE CORRECT ALIGNMENT SPECS. IF I DIDN'T FIX IT, THE ALIGNMENT WOULD ALWAYS BE OFF. THEY ALSO WARNED ME THAT IF I TRAVELED WITH MY VEHICLE LONG DISTANCE, THE FRAME COULD BREAK WHERE THE CORROSION OCCURRED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. 2 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LISTED TO THE LEFT ABOUT 45 DEGREES AND MY REAR WHEELS STARTED TO LEAN IN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS ALSO TURNED OUTWARDS WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO FISHTAIL AND SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY DURING DRIVING. I FELT VERY UNSAFE AND MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE UNTIL I CAN GET IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. *TR