Letter from senator schumer on behalf of constituent re 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe timing belt issues. The consumer was informed the timing belt and water pump needed to be replaced.

- Deansboro, NY, USA

I bought a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe on June 22, 2006. In July 2006 I took a trip to san antonio, Texas. While I was out there, my engine light came on and went off a few days later. After a few months when it came back on I took it to ray bryant service center where I bought the vehicle. They checked it and got the light to go off. As I was on my way home the light came back. Every time I brought it back the light would come back on and is still on. Sometimes as I'm driving it feels like it loses power. I also brought it in for the front end because it always feel like I have an egg in the left front tire. Instead of the service worker didn't check it out he said he had a Santa Fe just like mine and that his didn't do that and never did a thing about it. I've brought it to another mechanic and he couldn't find the problem. I've bought new tires and the same problem, so I brought it back telling them that it feels like I have an egg in the tire they checked it and can' find anything wrong with the tires. As time goes by the problem is getting worst. I feel really embarrassed when I have someone in my truck and it rides like that. I do hope that there's something that can be done about this problem because I am on disability and can't afford to buy another vehicle. I really love my Santa Fe.

- Avondale, LA, USA

I was traveling on I-295 and approximately half mile from the exit I needed, my battery light, brake light came on. When I neared the off ramp and slowed down to 60 mph, I started to turn the steering wheel and it was unresponsive and I had lost power steering. I was able to slow down adequately, and with both hands continually fighting with the steering, I managed to get the vehicle to an area safely where I could contact my mechanic and have it towed to their premises. Upon his inspection the following day, he called me to let me know that the front engine mounting bolts had broken off in front of the block, and the holes are damaged. I did contact Hyundai, and they seemed very unconcerned by the incident. I wouldn't have thought that bolts breaking at only 52,000 miles without reason would be an issue that they would like to pursue. Even though I had purchased the car used, at the time of the purchase there was nothing in the carfax report to indicate that there were any problems, and of course, the car warranty under Hyundai expired in April. I am not sure if this is a one off incident, or a possible pattern. Thank you for looking into this matter.

- Highland Springs, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon start-up, the vehicle would continuously stall. The dealer made repairs to the master cylinder but the repair did not correct the failure. The contact had to continuously attempt to start the engine before it would power on and all of the warning lights would illuminate on the warning panel. On a separate occasion while driving 20 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal but the brakes would not engage. The vehicle proceeded to stall and crashed into a barrier. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. The independent mechanic advised the contact to repair the body damage before a diagnostic test could be performed or any technical repairs could be made to the vehicle. The mechanic also confirmed that the vehicle was destroyed. She attempted to drive the although it was making an unusual noise. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where she was awaiting an assessment of the damages. The approximate current and failure mileages were 26,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA