NHTSA Complaint #10535115 — 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA

NOTICED A SHIMMY VIBRATION LOUDER THAN NORMAL WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY, UPON EXITING ON MAIN ROAD HEARD VERY LOUD THUMP BANG ON LEFT REAR DRIVERS SIDE. I ASSUMED IT WAS A BLOW OUT AS I COULDN'T STEER THE CAR (PULLING TO RIGHT) BUT MANAGED TO MAKE INTO PARKING LOT OFF THE MAIN. UPON INSPECTION LEFT REAR TIRE STILL ON CAR NOT FLAT, BUT ON A TOTAL SLANT APPROX 45 DEGREE. I WAS VERY GLAD TO BE OFF HIGHWAY HOWEVER STILL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER TOWING TO GARAGE, MECHANIC CALLED ME LATER AND SAID THE ENTIRE REAR SUB-FRAME ROTTED AND BROKE FROM CAR NEEDING TO REPLACE EVERYTHING SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME, INCLUDING CONTROL ARMS, AND WOULD NEED AN ALIGNMENT, HE ALSO SAID THAT'S WHY MY TIRES WORE DOWN QUICKER THAN USUAL DUE TO SUSPENSION ISSUE. I DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER SINCE CAR NO LONGER ON WARRANTY, AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET FOR USED PARTS (COULD NOT AFFORD NEW PARTS AS MECHANIC'S ESTIMATE WAS ALREADY AT THE $1800.00 MARK) WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ALREADY POSTED WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. I DID REPAIR THE CAR WITH A TOTAL BILL (USED/RECYCLED PARTS) FOR $1567.00. I STILL DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. WHY WOULD IT TAKE SO LONG TO HAVE A RECALL...IT IS OBVIOUS THIS IS A DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS CRASH, FATALITY SERIOUS INJURY AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY HYUNDAI FOR REPAIR OR FULL REIMBURSEMENT. *TR