NHTSA Complaint #10654669 — 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA

I WAS INFORMED THIS VEHICLE HAS A ONE-WAY SAFETY VALVE IN THE FUEL FILLER NECK THAT WHEN WORKING PROPERLY WILL PREVENT FUEL FROM ESCAPING SHOULD THERE BE A ROLL OVER. THIS VALVE MUST BE STUCK IN THE PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION SINCE IF CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTION WHEN FUELING THE CAR. WHEN FUELING THE CAR, FUEL DOES NOT FLOW PROPERLY AND ONLY ACCEPTS HALF GALLON AT A TIME BEFORE THE FUEL HANDLE SHUTS OFF. THEN I MUST WAIT FOR THE GAS IN THE FILLER NECK TO DROP BEFORE I CAN CONTINUE TO FUEL VEHICLE AND THEN CONTINUALLY REPEAT THIS PROCESS. THOUGH VERY TIME CONSUMING TO FILL IT UP, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE VALVE DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST OVER $600 TO REPLACE THIS VALVE AND I WOULD THINK IT SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE CONSUMER HAS NO CONTROL THAT WOULD INFLUENCE THE VALVE'S PROPER FUNCTIONALITY. *TR