A lawsuit against Hyundai claims the automaker knew about a defect in its Sonata car and sold it anyways
1999 to 2004 model Sonatas are affected by the lawsuit
Nothing has been proven or disproven yet, as the lawsuit is still in court in California
Lawsuit Against Hyundai Progresses - Claims Automaker Sold Sonatas it Knew Were Defective
By Liz Opsitnik Monday, Jun 29 2009 12:50
A lawsuit against Korean automaker Hyundai has been given the green light to proceed. The lawsuit claims that Hyundai knowingly sold customers Sonatas with defective sub-frames.
The suit claims that the Sonata’s sub-frame lacks sufficient and effective drain holes that allow road materials and water to drain from the frame, causing premature corrosion. The lack of drain holes also prevents Hyundai from treating the sub-frame with anti-corrosion coating.
Although this is a 2009 Hyundai Sonata and is not affected, owners and potential buyers of the 1999-2004 Sonatas should be aware of this lawsuit.
The sub-frame, which sits under the engine between the front wheels, serves as the sole steering support for the Sonata and anchors the front suspension.
An Orange County Superior Court judge ruled June 12 that the case can move forward and that plaintiff Nicholas Cirulli’s California Legal Remedies Act claim has merit. Cirulli claims Hyundai had full knowledge of the defect and yet did nothing to warn customers.
Cirulli’s sub-frame failed at 83,000 miles due to severe corrosion. As Cirulli approached a stop sign, he momentarily lost control of his vehicle, which he later discovered was caused by a front sub-frame failure.
Comment By: alan d. on Mon, Jun 29 2009 at 2:39 PM
it's funny how these lawsuits are always buried under good news about a brand winning awards and ranking high on so and so's list for whatever. hyundai must have a great public relations team, because there's no way i would buy a car from them if this lawsuit proves to be true. even so, hyundai's cars suck anyways...they are pieces of crap. everyone i know who has one hates it and says they break down constantly.
Don't buy these cars for yourselves or your children. Hyundai doesn't reveal anything to the American public about how they build their cars (they hide their defects). Hyundai engineers don't even know how they build their cars! Email me if you or a loved one has been hurt in a Hyundai. Our lawsuit has been buried under all their commercials too.
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