By Gabe Nelson, Crain News Service
WASHINGTON (April 2, 2013) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is checking Hyundai Sonatas from the 2006-08 model years in response to complaints about rusted rear suspension frames.
The results of the preliminary evaluation that NHTSA launched last week could influence whether the agency launches a recall, which would affect about 393,000 cars.
NHTSA said it has received six complaints about instances in which corrosion of the rear subframe led to failures of the control arms, which connect the wheels to the frame of a car.
Three of the incidents occurred at highway speeds, but none resulted in an injury or death, the agency said. In two cases, the failure led to the activation of the electronic stability control system.
NHTSA typically begins a preliminary evaluation when consumer complaints or manufacturer service bulletins suggest there may be a harmful defect. Once that evaluation is complete, the agency either begins an engineering analysis or closes the inquiry. Based on the outcome of the engineering analysis, a vehicle may be recalled or the inquiry may be closed with no further action.
"It is too early in the process to draw any conclusions about the allegations and no safety-related defect has been identified, but Hyundai is cooperating fully to respond to NHTSA's request," a Hyundai spokesman said in an email. "Hyundai will, of course, take any actions necessary to ensure the safety of our customers if the information gathered during the investigation indicates that action is appropriate."
The first of the six complaints was filed Nov. 30, 2011, by a consumer who reported that the rear stabilizers separated from the vehicle while it was traveling at 65 mph.
The vehicle was not initially repaired, but late last year, the consumer reported to NHTSA that Hyundai replaced the corroded subframe for free.
This report appeared in Automotive News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.