I have been the happy driver of a 2007 Hyundai Elantra for a number of years... until now.
In 2020, Hyundai issued Recall 188 for 2007-2010 Elantra vehicles: The subject vehicles are equipped with an Anti-Lock Brake System (“ABSâ€) module that remains energized when the vehicle is turned off. If moisture enters the electrical circuit of the ABS module a short circuit could gradually develop. A specific causality allowing moisture to enter the ABS module electrical circuit has not yet been identified; however, because the ABS module is continually powered, an electrical short could develop even while the vehicle is turned off.
In August of that year, I took my car to the local dealership for the appropriate repair.
In April of 2022, the brake and ABS warning lights both came on suddenly one day. Shortly thereafter, they spontaneously went off again. My husband considered it a fluke and thought no more of it. A few days later, I was traveling from Alabama to South Carolina, and it happened again. When I called him about the problem, he wasn't overly concerned and suggested I have someone look at the car when I reached my destination. Meanwhile, the car also began making a loud humming noise that persisted as long as the car was running. I sent my husband a recording of the noise and he wasn't convinced it was a related problem. He suspected something might have gotten caught in one of my vents as I traveled. So, I journeyed on, based on my husband's faith in my vehicle to deliver me to my destination.
After I arrived in South Carolina, I had the car looked at. After extensive investigation, both the noise and the warning lights were determined to be related to a failed ABS pump. During the process of locating the problem, the unit started smoking! I was told that the ABS pump/module would have to be replaced at a cost of $1900 (not including labor). Because I was far from home, the service tech suggested having the repair done once I returned so that if future issues arose, they could be addressed locally. He had to remove the fuse for the ABS system so I could return home safely without the unit overheating.
Hyundai has been aware for some time that the ABS module in these models was faulty. The recall in 2020 addressed the issue of overheating/fire when the car was turned off but did nothing to address the possibility of the unit short-circuiting while the car was being driven… which is FAR more dangerous. If the module overheats while being driven, there is a risk of fire while I’m in it! It has come to my attention that this is not an isolated incident. I understand that a lawsuit (Zakikhani, et al., v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al.) has been filed because of the risk of fire in numerous Hyundai models. After having driven the car in this condition, I was alarmed to realize that my car could have been disabled on the highway while I was traveling alone. Even more menacing was the possibility that it could have caught fire, resulting in bodily injury to me… or even death.
I contend that since Hyundai was fully aware of the ABS module defect, they should be responsible for the cost of replacing it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have been the happy driver of a 2007 Hyundai Elantra for a number of years... until now.
In 2020, Hyundai issued Recall 188 for 2007-2010 Elantra vehicles: The subject vehicles are equipped with an Anti-Lock Brake System (“ABSâ€) module that remains energized when the vehicle is turned off. If moisture enters the electrical circuit of the ABS module a short circuit could gradually develop. A specific causality allowing moisture to enter the ABS module electrical circuit has not yet been identified; however, because the ABS module is continually powered, an electrical short could develop even while the vehicle is turned off.
In August of that year, I took my car to the local dealership for the appropriate repair.
In April of 2022, the brake and ABS warning lights both came on suddenly one day. Shortly thereafter, they spontaneously went off again. My husband considered it a fluke and thought no more of it. A few days later, I was traveling from Alabama to South Carolina, and it happened again. When I called him about the problem, he wasn't overly concerned and suggested I have someone look at the car when I reached my destination. Meanwhile, the car also began making a loud humming noise that persisted as long as the car was running. I sent my husband a recording of the noise and he wasn't convinced it was a related problem. He suspected something might have gotten caught in one of my vents as I traveled. So, I journeyed on, based on my husband's faith in my vehicle to deliver me to my destination.
After I arrived in South Carolina, I had the car looked at. After extensive investigation, both the noise and the warning lights were determined to be related to a failed ABS pump. During the process of locating the problem, the unit started smoking! I was told that the ABS pump/module would have to be replaced at a cost of $1900 (not including labor). Because I was far from home, the service tech suggested having the repair done once I returned so that if future issues arose, they could be addressed locally. He had to remove the fuse for the ABS system so I could return home safely without the unit overheating.
Hyundai has been aware for some time that the ABS module in these models was faulty. The recall in 2020 addressed the issue of overheating/fire when the car was turned off but did nothing to address the possibility of the unit short-circuiting while the car was being driven… which is FAR more dangerous. If the module overheats while being driven, there is a risk of fire while I’m in it! It has come to my attention that this is not an isolated incident. I understand that a lawsuit (Zakikhani, et al., v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al.) has been filed because of the risk of fire in numerous Hyundai models. After having driven the car in this condition, I was alarmed to realize that my car could have been disabled on the highway while I was traveling alone. Even more menacing was the possibility that it could have caught fire, resulting in bodily injury to me… or even death.
I contend that since Hyundai was fully aware of the ABS module defect, they should be responsible for the cost of replacing it.
- lydiab, Decatur, US