NHTSA Complaint #11632734 — 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA

My wife and I bought a new 2013 Hyundai Sonata GLS in August of 2013, which is now over eleven years ago. In late September 2024, with still fewer than 100,000 miles on the car, I noticed a snapping sensation/clunk sound in its steering column when changing the direction of steering (from left to right/right to left.) I researched this symptom and, with the confirmation of a Hyundai Dealer's Service Manager, diagnosed the problem as a failing soft coupler between the car's steering column and "Motor Driven Power Steering" motor. NHTSA is aware of the problem, and Hyundai was compelled to issue an elusively brief warranty extension. Having taken delivery of the car over 10 years ago, that warranty extension does us no good, and I'm being told that at the Hyundai Dealer, the job will cost us between four and six hundred dollars, including a complete wheel alignment they say will be made necessary by the repair. I found that a modestly skilled, able bodied, and properly equipped "shade tree mechanic" can buy an aftermarket replacement of this soft coupling for less than fifteen dollars and, with care and a little luck, can complete the repair for ostensibly less than that. (...Unless the job truly creates a need for a wheel alignment.) Since learning all of this, while I've considered whether my bad back is up to the cost-saving job, we've needed to keep driving the car. I estimate we've put another 1,600 miles on it and, especially lately, the coupler's deterioration has obviously been accelerating. My wife and I have agreed I'd best not tackle this as a DIY project so, at Great Lakes Hyundai in Streetsboro, Ohio, we have an appointment for its replacement and subsequent wheel alignment, but we worry about it lasting until then. We feel lucky to be able to afford the ESTIMATED costs, but shouldn't have to. This is a premature and DANGEROUS component failure. A recall should be issued. Hyundai should pay for all of it. ~ [XXX] , Ohio INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),