NHTSA Complaint #11170567 — 2011 HYUNDAI SONATA

THE FRONT DRIVER'S SUSPENSION SPRING BROKE OFF AT LOW SPEED, BUCKLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED AS THE BODY CAME AND REMAINED IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL. IT COULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE TIRE COULD HAVE BEEN PUNCTURED IF IT WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED. THERE IS A RELEVANT RECALL: 15V629000 (ON 2011 ELANTRAS AND SONATAS, FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS COULD CORRODE AND SNAP IN COLD REGIONS), BUT HYUNDAI SAID THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MANY VIN#S MIGHT HAVE BEEN MISSED IN THIS RECALL NOTICE. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, THAT RECALL# ONLY INSTALLS TUBING AROUND THE SPRINGS SO THAT IN THE CASE OF SPRING FAILURE(SNAPPING), THE BODY WILL NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEELS OR PUNCTURE TIRES. THAT IS, THE RECALL WORK STILL ALLOWS THE SPRINGS TO SNAP. BUT, IS THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION SUFFICIENT FOR A SAFETY RECALL THAT IS THIS SERIOUS IN NATURE? TAKE CAUTION AS MANY 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRAS AND SONATAS COULD RUN INTO THIS SUDDEN FAILURE.