Probably not motivated by wanting to keep its name in the news, Hyundai announced another recall campaign today, affecting close to 420,000 vehicles. This follows after yesterday's recall of almost 900,000 Hyundai Sonata vehicles.
That's a two-day total of about 1.3 million Hyundai vehicles.
Today's recall covers three models -- 225,000 Santa Fe crossover vehicles from model years 2001-2006, approximately 133,000 Sonata models from 2011, and 61,000 Veracruz crossovers from the 2007-2012 model years.
The Santa Fe recall is due to the possibility of road salt causing a coil spring to rust. The coil spring could then fracture and puncture a tire, possibly leading to a crash. The Santa Fe recall only affects vehicles registered in 20 "salt belt" cold weather states.
The recall of 133,000 2011 midsize Sonata models is due to the possibility that leaking brake fluid could increase stopping distances.
The full-size Veracruz crossover is being recalled over a possible oil leak that could damage the alternator and the vehicle's charging system, which could lead to a dangerous loss of power.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Santa Fe recall affects models manufactured from March 31, 2000, through Feb. 15, 2006. Vehicles affected in those salt-belt states are registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and possibly replace the coil spring at no charge to the customer. The recall campaign will likely begin at the end of September 2014.
The recall of the 2011 Sonata affects vehicles manufactured from Dec. 11, 2009, through Sept. 1, 2010. These vehicles may experience a brake fluid leak from the two brake lines that connect the brake system's master cylinder to the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit due to insufficient seal between the inner brake hose and the metal brake line fitting.
Should this occur, the brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, notifying the driver that longer stopping distances should be expected. Hyundai will replace the brake hoses with a revised service part. This recall campaign is also expected to begin in September 2014.
Over 61,000 Veracruz full-size crossovers made from Dec. 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012, are being recalled for an oil leak that may emanate from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. This oil could leak onto the alternator, resulting in damage to both the alternator and the charging system.
Hyundai will notify owners. Dealers will inspect, repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket. This recall will also launch in September 2014.
Hyundai's previously announced recall of 883,000 Sonata models was based on a possibly defective automatic transmission shift cable.
