SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY

Apr 09, 2004 — Recall Campaign #04V178000

SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 263,968 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

04V178000

Manufacturer:	Hyundai Motor America
Recall date:	April 09, 2004
NHTSA Campaign #:	04V178000
Units affected:	263,968

Description:: SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Consequeces:: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Notes:: HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 066. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. Additionally, while attempting to complete a turn, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the driver's side brake pad and rotor were abnormally worn and needed to be replaced; however, the power train failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V125000 (Suspension) and 04V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.;
2003 HYUNDAI SONATA Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at Valvoline for a service appointment, the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the subframe assembly and additional unknown parts were not included in the recall repair. In addition, the contact was informed that the recall could not be performed because other repairs were needed prior to the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.;
2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Tiburon. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, gasoline started spilling from the filler neck. The contact stated that the vehicle was refueling very slowly. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V369000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 04V178000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the interior door handles had detached from the vehicle The ABS warning light was also illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer who replaced the fuel tank; however, the other repairs were not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.;
2003 HYUNDAI XG350 Complaints
I WAS RECENTLY THE VICTIM OF A NEAR CATASTROPHIC MECHANICAL FAILURE WHILE OPERATING MY 2003 HYUNDAI XG350L. I NOTICED THE STEERING PULLING HARD TO ONE DIRECTION, WHICH MADE ME TAKE IT FOR A TIRE INSPECTION. THE INSPECTION REVEALED I NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT THE ENTIRE SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHILE INVESTIGATING PARTS AND PRICES, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A STANDING RECALL ON THIS MODEL HYUNDAI FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I DISCOVERED. I CALLED THE RECALL LINE, RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION NUMBER 11209268 & 3A249831; AN AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR AT HAPPY HYUNDAI. ON MY DRIVE TOWARD THE DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE BEGAN TO RUB INTO THE WHEEL-WELL EACH TIME I HIT A BUMP, BUT I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY SO I HAD TO KEEP GOING TO MY EXIT. AS SOON AS I CAME OUT OF THE EXIT TURN, THE CAR FAILED AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS CRASH!!!! THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. EACH TIME I TRIED IT WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. I CALLED A TOW TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR, I COULD SEE WHERE A PIECE OF THE FRAME FAILED. I CHECKED THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A WEEK FOR THE REPAIR. I WAITED A TOTAL OF TWO WEEKS WITHOUT A CALL OR EMAIL. WHEN I INITIATED A CALL THEY TOLD ME THE PERSON WHO I WAS DEALING WITH HAD QUIT. THE NEW PERSON SAID HE WAS NOT EVEN AWARE MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN SERVICED. HE FURTHER SAID THAT SOMEONE ELSE WOULD HAVE TO CALL ME BEFORE THEY WOULD COMPLETE THE REPAIR. SIR, I WORK AS A DRIVER. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO EARN MY LIVING FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS BASED UPON POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. MY CAR IS THERE BASED UPON EVERY SYMPTOM DESCRIBED IN YOUR RECALL, BUT AFTER OVER TWO WEEKS I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY CAR. MY INTERVIEW OF OTHER MECHANICS INFORMS ME THAT THE REPAIR TAKES NO MORE THAN FOUR HOURS EVEN IF ITS WORST CASE SCENARIO.;