The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the frame was completely corroded and caused damage to the front tires. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V435000 (suspension). The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Huxley, IA, USA

Became 2nd owner in June 2005. In March 2010, Hyundai recalled vehicle for suspension component rusting/corrosion, specifically rear trailing arms & front sub-frame. [ Hyundai has had numerous (8-9 ??) similar suspension recalls over the past 5 years for elantra, sonata, tiburon, Azera and other models.] in March 2010, responding to recall, vehicle taken to authorized Hyundai dealer, where dealer elected to repair, rather than replace affected front and rear suspension components. The prescribed recall repair consisted of drilling (drain) holes in all front & rear suspension components, removing excess rust from inside components, then spraying with anti-corrosive wax. August 7, 2013, right rear trailing arm failed due to continued excessive corrosion, causing steering loss and near wheel collapse. Hyundai dealer revealed cause of suspension failure. Hyundai corrosion specialist concluded that Hyundai would replace both rear trailing arms only (not front sub-frame components, which are also excessively rusted/corroded), but that because of vehicle's 10+ year age, owner would be responsible for all "incidental and related suspension parts and labor" expenses incurred while the rear trailing arm replacements were being made. I am appealing this Hyundai decision to NHTSA because the repair that Hyundai elected to perform (vs a full components replacement) in March 2010, when vehicle was only 9 years old, has proven to be totally ineffective, and that owner has not contributed, in any way, to this suspension defect. Given Hyundai's corrosion vulnerabilities, their inability to effect a repair in 2010, and the owner's non-contributory role here, Hyundai should now replace all front & rear suspension components, as they should have in 2010, at no cost to the owner.

- State College, PA, USA