Hyundai is recalling 239,000 Sonata and Azera sedans in cold-weather states because road salt can corrode the rear suspension.
The recall affects 215,000 Sonata midsize sedans from the 2006 to 2010 model years and 24,000 Azera full-size sedans from 2006 to 2011.
Hyundai says salt can corrode the rear suspension crossmember, which is part of the vehicle’s frame. In advanced cases, the crossmember could detach from the control arms that lead to the wheels, which could affect wheel alignment and increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will inform owners next month. Dealers will inspect the cars and repair or replace the defective parts.
The recall affects vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Delaware and Washington, D.C.
Hyundai is also recalling about 23,000 SUVs in the U.S. and Canada because an axle can fail, causing the car to lose power.
The recall affects 2013 Santa Fe Sport models with front-wheel-drive and 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engines. They were built between July 11, 2012 through March 12 of this year.
Hyundai says the right axle shaft can fail in rare cases. If that happens, the SUVs can lose power or roll away if parked on a slope. The company says it’s not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to the defect.
Owners are being notified by letter. Dealers will replace the axle shaft free of charge.
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If you’re looking for a new car and trying to keep the price low, you’re in luck. The more affordable cars — cars that cost less than $25,000 — are probably the best they’ve ever been in terms of quality, fuel efficiency, exterior design and more.
But this leads to kind of a weird problem for car shoppers: With so many great options, which cars are actually the best? After all, there aren’t nearly as many standouts anymore.
KBB recently published a list of what they see as the ten best cars under $25,000. These are sedans that are stylish, reliable, fuel efficient and, most of all, a great value. Click through to see the rankings.
Sticker Price: $21,350 – $26,800
Invoice Price: $20,400 – $$25,040
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city, 35 mpg highway
Although it was redesigned way back for the 2010 model year, theOptima still looks great on the road — aging much better than its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata. Fuel efficient, affordable, spacious and available with a wide variety of features, KBB rates this midsize sedan as the number ten best car under $25,000.
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Sticker Price: $23,080 – $29,105
Invoice Price: $22,157 – $$27,941
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg city, 32 mpg highway
Buick hasn’t enjoyed the best reputation over the past few years. But theVerano is a surprisingly good little sedan. Quiet, comfortable and decently fun to drive, it offers bang for the buck.
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Sticker Price: $22,235 – $30,465
Invoice Price: $20,345 – $$27,723
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg City, 35 mpg Highway
This is perhaps the ultimate commuter car. It’s totally inoffensive, fuel efficient, affordable and reliable. TheCamry has been the best-selling car in America for some time now, and will likely continue to be so.
Research the Toyota Camry
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Sticker Price: $15,545 – $28,425
Invoice Price: $14,923 – $$27,288
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city, 34 mpg highway
TheVolkswagen Jetta is the cheapest German sedan you can buy. Although the interior isn’t as good as some of its competition, it’s undoubtedly one of the most fun-to-drive small sedans out there.
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Sticker Price: $17,965 – $26,465
Invoice Price: $16,707 – $$25,095
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg city, 36 mpg highway
After a disastrous 2012, the 2013 Honda Civic is back as one of the best small cars on the planet. With legendary reliability and an affordable price tag, it’s a highly logical choice.
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Sticker Price: $21,900 – $32,200
Invoice Price: $20,422 – $$29,705
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg city, 34 mpg highway
TheFord Fusion is arguably the best-looking midsize sedan out there right now. It also has a great interior and is great on gas. The MyFord Touch infotainment system needs some work, but, all in all, KBB sees it as the fifth best car under $25,000.
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Sticker Price: $21,760 – $30,560
Invoice Price: $20,356 – $$27,929
Fuel Economy: 27 mpg city, 38 mpg highway
TheNissan Altima underwent a handsome redesign for the 2013 model year, making it a standout on the road. The Altima, available in coupe and sedan form, is also quite fun to drive and comes with a nice interior.
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Sticker Price: $20,880 – $29,495
Invoice Price: $19,929 – $27,849
Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city, 37 mpg highway
The car most in competition with the Ford Fusion for most attractive midsize sedan is undoubtedly theMazda6. In addition to its great looks, the Mazda6 boasts sporty driving dynamics — a Mazda signature — and great fuel economy.
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Sticker Price: $20,845 – $33,525
Invoice Price: $19,990 – $32,151
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway
TheVolkswagen Passat comes with many of the same benefits as the Jetta — great driving dynamics and fuel economy — in a bigger package. Affordable, versatile and fun, the Passat is the second-best car under $25,000.
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Sticker Price: $21,680 – $33,430
Invoice Price: $19,849 – $$30,567
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city, 34 mpg highway
The best car under $25,000 according to KBB is the 2013Honda Accord. It’s tough to argue with that pick. The Accord is handsome, reliable, fuel efficient and, plain and simple, a great value.
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