NHTSA Complaint #10744200 — 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

ON OR ABOUT JULY 1ST 2015 I WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE TIRE I NOTICE THAT THE BRAKE BACKING PLATE WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS HANGING BY A SLIVER OF RUSTY METAL. THIS AUTO USES A MINIATURE DRUM BRAKE AFFAIR ON THE REAR WHEELS TO ACTUATE THE PARKING BRAKE. IN MY OPINION, IF THE CENTER OF THE BACKING PLATE RUSTS AWAY AND CAUSES THE BRAKE SHOE RETAINING PINS TO COME OUT THE BRAKE SHOE COULD CONTACT THE METAL DRUM AREA WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE AUTO TO HAVE IT'S PARKING BRAKE ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING, LOCKING UP THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS AUTO WAS INTO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JUNE OF 2015 AND AT THAT TIME THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED CHANGING BUT NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE RUSTED OUT BACKING PLATE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT A BACKING PLATE SHOULD NOT RUST THROUGH IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS. I BASE THIS ON THE FACT THAT I WORKED FOR A SERVICE GARAGE FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND HAVE DONE THE WORK ON MY OWN VEHICLES FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND IN MY EXPERIENCE BACKING PLATES SHOULD NOT RUST TO THE POINT OF PERFORATION IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS.