2002 Hyundai Sante Fe
2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date: APR 14, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V123000
EA08023NHTSA Action Number: EA08023
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR
Potential Number of Units Affected: 85036
Summary: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 85,036 Model Year 2001 and 2002 and 2003 SANTA FE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. DURING WINTER MONTH, LARGE QUANTITIES OF SALT ARE USED TO DE-ICE ROADS IN THE SALT BELT STATES. ROAD SALT MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM STEEL. THE CORROSION IS PROGRESSIVE AND OCCURS OVER TIME. YOU MAY SEE OR FEEL SLIGHT TO MODERATE CHANGES IN VEHICLE OPERATION WHICH WILL INCREASE IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED. THESE CHANGES INCLUDE A LOWERING OF VEHICLE HEIGHT THAT CAN LEAD TO TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. YOU MAY ALSO NOTICE A CREAKING SOUND. IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence: THE DEFORMATION AND LOSS OF STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS FOR INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE REPLACED. REAR TRAILING ARMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE DRAINAGE HOLES ADDED AND WILL BE TREATED WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO ARREST THE CORROSION PROCESS. INSPECTION, TREATMENT AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES WILL BE CONDUCTED
Burdge Law Office
Because life is too short to put up wiht a bad car.