The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger seat belts failed to properly retract and loosen when necessary. The seat belts restricted the breathing and bodies of the front seat occupants when the seat belts were secured. In addition, the vehicle lunged, jerked, and accelerated on its own. The failure was more prevalent when the eco and cruise control functions were activated. Eckert Hyundai, Inc. (4011 S interstate 35, denton, tx 76210, (940) 243-6200) stated that the eco and cruise control functions failed and provided an interim repair of disconnecting the battery to clear the ECU and ECM codes, which affected the transmission. Another dealer (james wood Hyundai, 2110 us-287, Decatur, tx 76234, (940) 627-4600) asked the first dealer to test drive the vehicle to generate the codes. The second dealer advised the contact not to drive the vehicle with the eco function activated. Both dealers stated that if the transmission was the cause of the failure, it may be replaced under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

- Valley View, TX, USA

Mileage was about 16,500. On the freeway going about 70 mph, car shut down with alarm information and into a controlled glide, not allowing acceleration. After almost being run into I was able to move to the right shoulder and per directions, shut off motor. Was able to restart. Went three miles to my destination and car was towed to dealer. They did not know the problem, and after two days I got the car returned. They said they had to call the manufacturer to find the defect. Going home that evening after traveling about eight miles and again on the freeway going about 70 mph, the car again did the same thing on the freeway. Again starting it, the car went another five miles on the freeway when it again happened. Three times, same thing!!! (much like what I read about the prius two days ago.) no longer feeling the car was safe in that it is difficult to Dodge vehicles on a freeway when a car shuts down three times, I traded it in. All I was told by the dealer that it had to do with the hybrid system.

- La Jolla, CA, USA

Abrupt and total loss of acceleration at full throttle at or near high RPM shift points. This behavior can be reliably reproduced by "flooring it" (all the way, including kickdown) and not letting go - as if one is executing a passing maneuver. The power loss will occur at the next shift point after kick down, and will not be cleared until the accelerator pedal is released and re-applied - or after approximately 15 to 20 seconds after the occurrence if the driver does not release the pedal. In cases where the pedal is not released after the power loss, the vehicle will surge suddenly after the condition has cleared and repeat the behavior described above. This behavior can be reproduced in any drive program mode (eco, normal, sport, ) and in both automatic and manual shift selection modes, and is especially prevalent at speeds above 45 mph where sudden full throttle command causes kickdown. The drivetrain should respond reliably when it is commanded full-throttle. A sudden power loss at a shift point during a full throttle maneuver is unsafe: (1) it disorientates the driver and; (2) causes un-commanded, unexpected, and rapid changes in driving force, weight distribution, friction, and reaction forces which could lead to a loss of control.

- Raleigh, NC, USA