2011 Hyundai Sonata Recalled for Steering Concerns

Vehicle Make / Model:     Model Year(s):      HYUNDAI / SONATA     2011 Manufacturer: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: SEP 23, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V426000 PE10035 NHTSA Action Number: PE10035

Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

Potential Number of Units Affected: 139,500

Summary: HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 2009, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2010. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN EITHER IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence: IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF, OR REDUCTION IN, STEERING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTIONS FOR PROPER ASSEMBLY AND TORQUE. IN ADDITION DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWER STEERING SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes: HYUNDAI'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 097. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

The Brother Behind the Success of Hyundai's Restyled Sonata

Andre Hudson, the designer of the upscale, sexy looking 2011 Hyundai Sonata, takes a moment to stand-by his pride and joy.

The sales numbers for July have finally been tallied and analyzed. And according to Hyundai officials, last month represented an all-time sales record in the states for the Korean automaker, marking this as only the fourth time Hyundai has sold over 50,000 vehicles in a month. 

Moreover, this sales success has been driven largely due to the redesign of the sexy looking 2011 Hyundai Sonata we reviewed earlier this spring. 

In fact, the Sonata has been so successful since arriving in dealership showrooms this February, it has been stealing sales away from both the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Year-to-date sales of the 2011 Sonata has increased by 33 percent, in the midst of a recession. Much of the sales success should be attributed to the hands of thirty-four-year-old Andre Hudson, the design manager at Hyundai, who was responsible for the exterior design of this Korean midsize sedan. 

New Designs, Increased Horsepower Drives Up Resale Values

2011 Jaguar XJ MSRP*: $71,650- $114,150

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

  XJ's Average Residual: 53%/33% of MSRP

Jaguar's Average Residual : 48%/30% of MSRP

Premium Luxury Car Average Residual: 44%/28% of MSRP

2011 Highlight: new European limo-like design

2011 Infiniti M MSRP*: $45,800- $60,050

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

M's Average Residual: 53%/37% of MSRP

Infiniti's Average Residual : 45%/28% of MSRP

Midsize Car Average Residual: 45%/29% of MSRP

2011 Highlights: new design, seven-speed transmission and more horses underneath the hood

2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS: A New Standard for Family Cars

What’s New:

With so many players in the midsize segment, the freshly redesigned sixth-generation Hyundai Sonata is bound to make everyone step up their game. Not only is the vehicle larger, the exterior design has moved upscale, bearing some likeness to Lexus and Mercedes. Unlike the previous generation Sonata, the 2011 model is available with only one-engine, a spunky, extremely fuel-efficient 4-cylinder.And every Sonata also comes equipped with Bluetooth, which is a first for a vehicle in this segment. 

  

Must Have Goodies:

The Sonata is available in three trim levels: the base GLS, the mid line SE and the upscale Limited. Depending on the trim ordered, the cool-looking Sonata can be outfitted with a power sunroof, an automatic dimming rear-view mirror, leather seats, automatic headlights, heated front (and rear) seats, 17 or18-inch wheels, dual automatic temperature controls, a rear-back up camera and a voice-activated navigational system. Ordering the navigational system will also provide one’s access to a 90-day complimentary subscription to real-time XM NavTraffic, XM NavWeather, XM Sports scores and XM Stock updates. This is another first for a vehicle in this segment.

HD radio technology, with multicasting, is also available in the Sonata.  And the Sonata is available with a 400-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system.

Sneak Peak: Hyundai's Camry Fighter

Yes, Hyundai continues to step up its game. So far this year, Hyundai, Kia and Subaru are the only three brands who sales are up this year in a down market. The all-new 2011 Sonata, which is featured above, is expected to arrive at dealerships in January. From a pricing stand point, this stylish looking sedan will go head-to-head with Toyota's popular Camry, Nissan's Altima and Chevy's Malibu, starting out at around $20,000. While the new Sonata is priced like a non premium luxury vehicle, the upscale design takes styling cues from the Mercedes C-Class, the Lexus ES and the Volkswagen CC.

According to Hyundai officials, the 2011 Sonata will be powered by a new 2.4-liter, direct-injection engine, mated to a 6-speed manual (or optional automatic) transmission, while its competitors will offer both a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder. Horsepower will range from 190 to 200, depending on trim. At this time, a six-cylinder engine will not be offered. However, Hyundai does have plans on offering a hybrid version of this vehicle in the near future.