NHTSA Complaint #11161135 — 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE LEFT TO RIGHT RAPIDLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE INSIDE OF THE REAR FENDER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS EIGHTY MILES AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.