NHTSA Complaint #11018845 — 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA

THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER AS TO INTERFERE WITH EACH OTHER. SPECIFICALLY, AS ONE COMES TO A STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR BOTH LATERALLY AND VERTICALLY, THAT THE OPERATORS FOOT MAY HIT BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME JUST BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, CAUSING AN UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE DRIVER, OCCUPANTS, PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES OR ITEMS IN THE PATH OF THE CAR. I HAVE HAS 4 SUCH INCIDENTS, ONE INVOLVING A REAR END BUMP. THE HYUNDAI DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND FOUND NOTHING AND DISMISSED THE CONCERN. HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE ERIN THOMPSON STATED " I DID NOT DESIGN THE CAR, IT OPERATES AS DESIGNED AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU". FURTHER, SHE STATED "I WILL NOT SAY IT AGAIN" WHEN I TRIED TO OFFER CLARIFICATION OF THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS A FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN DEFECT IN THE CAR AND VIOLATES THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FREEDOM OF DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECTS AND FITNESS OF PURPOSE. IT MAY ALSO NOT MEET FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ERGONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS. CAN YOU HELP? THANK YOU *JS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A COPY OF THE EXAMINER'S REPORT. *JS