Hyundai and Kia have identified 270,000 vehicles as having potentially dangerous rust problems.
According to Autoblog.com, Hyundai considered recalling 240,000 Sonatas and Azeras and 20,300 Santa Fe Sports, and its sister company Kia was considering recalling 9,345 Sorentos. The article covers two different potential recalls caused by two different problems.
The First Potential Recall
Which vehicles could be affected: Hyundai Sonata, built in the period from March 1, 2005 to January 21, 2010, and Hyundai Azera, built in the period from September 27, 2005 to November 22, 2010, registered in any of the ‘salt belt’ states. The problem: Rust caused by road salt exposure can change the alignment of the rear wheels.
The Second Potential Recall
Which vehicles could be affected: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and 2014 Kia Sorento with 2.4-liter engine and front wheel drive. The problem: The front axle driveshaft can crack and separate. The problems had apparently not caused any accidents or injuries as of the time of the article, which was based on information provided by Reuters.
Hyundai has announced plans to recall 240,000 Sonata and Azera models registered in the northern United States over corrosion caused by the use of road salt. Exposure to the salt can cause rust to form (we know, basic chemistry here), and that the corrosion can change the alignment of the rear wheels, according to Reuters.
If you own one of the vehicles mentioned here (or really, if you own any vehicle at all), you should follow up with the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to see if there are any recalls or safety defects you should be aware of. But whether your vehicle has a recall or not, there’s a larger trend at issue here. If you’ve been reading this blog for the last few months, you’ve probably noticed the pattern: recall after recall in salt belt states due to corrosion issues, with many more vehicles showing significant rust damage issues that didn’t make it into recalls. So while we could look this up for you and tell you whether Hyundai, Kia and the NHTSA did, in fact, end up issuing these recalls, that would actually be beside the point. Because whether they were recalled or not, the rust issue is just as real and just as much of a problem if you happen to own one of these vehicles. And there will be other recalls anyway. They just keep coming.
The Solution
While safety recalls and other NHTSA efforts are important, the pattern of recalls and owner complaints due to rust would suggest that a more proactive solution might be more sensible. Why wait until a certain number of potentially fatal accidents have happened, or a certain number of complaints have been lodged with the NHTSA? Wouldn’t it make more sense to get rustproofing for your vehicle before it starts to give you grief?
In New Hampshire, rustproofing is available from The Rust Stop Pro, with locations in Deering and Concord, as well as a mobile service that goes to your location. Offering the latest in rustproofing technology with their environmentally friendly treatment options, we are the first company in New Hampshire dedicated to rustproofing vehicles. Our range of rustproofing services ensures that we have the right solution for your vehicle, whether it is brand new, has a lot of rust, or is somewhere in between. Our rustproofing experts will be happy to help you find the ideal rustproofing treatment for your vehicle, and we’ll do it for a fraction of what the repairs will likely cost if you leave your vehicle unprotected.