Hyundai recalling over 91,000 Sonata sedans due to... sharp chrome door handles?!
When opening a door, one expects to grab the handle and pull without the risk of injury. If you own a 2002 or 2003 Hyundai Sonata with chrome handles, you may not have that luxury, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As a result, Hyundai is recalling 91,000 Sonatas because the chrome plating on the upper edge of the interior handle may wear, "causing cracking or separation between the chrome plating on the inboard and outboard surfaces of the handle." NHTSA says the sharp edge can cause "laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle." Ouch.
Sonata owners can take their vehicle to any Hyundai dealership to have their handles repaired free of charge beginning in June. To find out if your car is eligible for the repair, call 1-800-633-5151. Hit the jump to view the official press release.
[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]
PRESS RELEASE:
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): HYUNDAI / SONATA 2002-2003
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC
Mfr's Report Date: MAY 15, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V171000
PE08071
NHTSA Action Number: PE08071
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Potential Number of Units Affected: 91202
Summary:
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 91,202 MY 2002-2003 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATE. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING, THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY THAN MORE THICKLY PLATED AREAS AS THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED. THE WORN CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE HANDLE MAY RESULT IN A CRACK OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE, WHICH MAY FORM A SHARP EDGE.
Consequence:
THIS MAY INFLICT LACERATION INJURIES TO ANYONE USING THE DOOR HANDLE.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Notes:
HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 093. 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 .
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Taglane 2:30PM (5/26/2009)
ROFL GTFO!
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James 2:39PM (5/26/2009)
OUCH!
Clay Garland 8:38AM (5/27/2009)
When you fake chrome plastic, if there's the tiniest imperfection in the surface, it will eventually lead to a crack in the chrome finish which will tend to curl up under repeated heating and cooling, leading to a very sharp edge.
Serge 2:31PM (5/26/2009)
That's one sharp Hyundai you got there buddy!!!
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Kitko 2:34PM (5/26/2009)
Attention to detail...
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Wobbly_ears 2:35PM (5/26/2009)
Seriously?? You mean to tell me that someone complained to NHTSA about a sharp chrome door handle??
I know the unemployment rate is high & lots of people have free time, but still.....
Okay, anti-Hyndai crowd...start your 'It's a Hyundai! Boo!!' chant....
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mapoftazifosho 2:46PM (5/26/2009)
Do you really think that NHTSA releases this stuff based on ONE complaint...do you, really?
John 2:52PM (5/26/2009)
NHTSA rarely initiates the recall. It's almost always the OEM. I'm sure Hyundai received enough customer complaints to recall for this item.
Marcello 2:42PM (5/26/2009)
what those sonata owners never heard of duct tape lol.......that sh** fixes everything!
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gerrrg 2:44PM (5/26/2009)
I wanted to poke fun at Hyundai, but cracking chrome is a lot less serious than a brake that won't work quite right...like Mitsubishi's cover up.
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ASEVENSEE4 3:02PM (5/26/2009)
Ha..
They had an issue with the door handles in 2001-2003 (likely a supplier issue), just take a look any of the Santa Fe's built between then. The paint faded horribly.. still a good reliable SUV though.
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k.w.a 3:10PM (5/26/2009)
that's what happens when you buy a hyundai and not a REAL luxury car. LOL
for all u hyundai fans relax, its just a joke.
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Sandeep 6:21PM (5/26/2009)
A sonata is neither advertised as a luxury car nor considered one. Learn to focus your fanboyism more accurately next time
bwzd7p2 4:17PM (5/26/2009)
According to NHTSA's site, an investigation was opened in mid-Dec. last year based on five customer complaints. The investigation shows still open, so looks like Hyundai decided on a recall voluntarily.
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Doctor Device 10:47PM (5/26/2009)
my '99 honda CR-V has the exact same problem, actually... the chrome on the inside doorhandles starts to separate from the structure of the handle and, well... I have medical tape wrapped around the door handles now to avoid lacerations...
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tekd 4:26PM (5/26/2009)
How the heck does the chrome plating crack so that it can seriously cut your hands? Isn't it just a thin layer of basically chrome-colored paint? At worst you'd think it'd just wear off, but cut people?!?
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bwzd7p2 5:06PM (5/26/2009)
No, it's not just paint. Usually, it's a coat of aluminum over the plastic. It could be chrome over nickel. Regardless, it's a thin film of metal that will be sharp and it will peel off in sheets or large pieces. It won't just flake off like paint.
P.V. 4:34PM (5/26/2009)
Wow. On the one hand, it's kind of a stupid recall. On the other, it's good that Hyundai is owning up to every little thing that could possibly go wrong even in the older (read: less reliable) cars.
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Turall 4:51PM (5/26/2009)
I don't think that's what was meant by "sharp handling"...
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Matt 11:45PM (5/26/2009)
lmao