Suspension Problem on the 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
Car problem(s) with the 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.
This database includes information received by NHTSA from consumers either directly or as recorded by the Vehicle Safety Hotline. This information may be used by NHTSA during the investigation process.
You may file your own complaint by calling the NHTSA Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153. You can also file your complaint online.
Problem with Suspension
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Feb 24, 2014 - Philadelphia, PA - Suspension
HIT A NASTY POTHOLE AND KNOCKED THE ALIGNMENT OUT ON MY SANTE FE, OR SO I THOUGHT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE PUT IT ON THE LIFT TO CHECK THE FRONT END. HE FOUND THE RIGHT SIDE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTED AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PULLING OUT OF THE FRAME. CALLED HYUNDAI 800 #. "SORRY YOUR CAR IS NOT COVERED". THIS IS NUTS.
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Jan 10, 2014 - Rochester, NY - Suspension
RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAS CORROSION DAMAGE SHOWING IN RUSTED BROKEN FRAME. DESCRIPTION IS SIMILAR TO HYUNDAI RECALL NO 091.
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Dec 20, 2013 - Park City, KS - Suspension
I OWN A 2003 SANTA FE AND JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CARRIAGE CORROSION PROBLEMS WITH THE 2001-2003 HYUNDAI AND SUBSEQUENT RECALL IN THE "SNOW BELT" STATES. I LIVE IN KANSAS, WHERE THEY TREAT THE LOCAL HIGHWAYS IN THE WINTER WITH SALT AND OTHER CORROSIVES. WHY ISN'T KANSAS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? HAS HYUNDAI INCLUDED VEHICLES IN THIS STATE FOR THE RECALL? THE LITTLE TRUCK HAS BEEN TERRIFIC, WITH NOTHING GOING WRONG UNTIL NOW. THE GARAGE I TAKE MY VEHICLES TO WOULD NOT ALLOW MY DAUGHTER TO GET BACK INTO THE SANTA FE, FEARING THAT SHE WOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THANK GOODNESS FOR SMALL FAVORS! I WILL GIVE HIS CONTACT INFORMATION UPON RESPONSE FROM YOU.
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Sep 26, 2013 - Isle, MN - Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,760.
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Aug 20, 2013 - Shelbyville, KY - Suspension
THE PASSENGER FROM SUB FRAME BROKE DROPPING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BENDING THE WHEEL OUT. THIS WAS AT BIG O TIRES CHECKING ALIGNMENT. I SEE THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ON THIS MATTER COVERING 2001-2003 SANTAFE'S. THE FRONT SUB FRAME MUST BE REPLACED.
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Apr 13, 2013 - Abington, PA - Suspension
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I SAW THE RECALL ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ON 03 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SO I WENT TO TWO DEALERS AROUND MY AREA AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE CONDITION. ONE OF THEM DID NOT EVEN RESPONDED TO MY QUESTION AND RETURNED THE CAR, AND ANOTHER ONE SAID THEY ARE FINE AND NOT NEED TO BE EITHER TREATED OR REPLACED. THEN A FEW DAYS AGO, JUST WEB SURFING THE WEB AND FOUND THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM OF THE REAR TAILING ARMS RECALL. MY CAR HAS ALL THAT SYMPTOMS RIGHT NOW, BUT HYUNDAI IS TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE FAULTY TRAILING ARMS, AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. MY CAR SWING WHEN I MAKE TURNS WEIRDLY. IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOOSE TRAILER IN THE BACK. ALSO THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR HAD BEEN LOWERED, AND ALSO WHEN I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP, I HEAR CREAKING SOUND. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS, STRUT MOUNTS, AND REAR SHOCKS SO THEY ARE NOT COMING FROM THOSE.
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Jan 22, 2013 - South Plainfield, NJ - Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) PERFORMED FOR RUST ON THE TRAILING ARMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WORKED FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUT WAS INFORMED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE REAR WHEEL AND FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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Dec 23, 2012 - Ocoee, FL - Suspension
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FOR MY SON WHICH HE TOOK TO COLLEGE. DURING WINTER BREAK, I TOOL IT TO A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER TO HAVE A COMPLETE TUNE-UP, AS WELL AS CHECK A CREAKING SOUND IN THE LOWER LEFT REAR AND A "POP" SOUND WHEN DECELERATING. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE LOWER REAR LEFT TRAILING ARM IS BAD AND NEEDS TO REPLACED ASAP FOR SAFETY REASONS AT AROUND $500. I CHECKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON TRAILING ARMS FOR THIS YEAR, CONTACTED HYUNDAI - WHO PROMPTLY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED AS I AM NOT IN A "ROAD SALT" STATE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH HYUNDAI ADMITS, AND I FEEL ALL OF THE TRAILING ARMS HAVE FATIGUE ISSUES FROM THESE YEARS DUE TO INFERIOR MATERIALS. I FEEL HYUNDAI SHOULD STEP UP AND COVER THE COST, NO MATTER WHAT STATE WE LIVE IN, AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF. WE HAVE PLENTY OF RAIN, FLOODED STREETS AND "SALT AIR" HERE IN FLORIDA!
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Jul 27, 2012 - Cedar Rapids, IA - Suspension
THE RIGHT FRONT ROCKER ARM RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO NO LONGER BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED. THE LOWER SUPPORT ARM IS NO LONGER FASTENED TO THE FRONT SUPPORT FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE ALIGNMENT TO BE OFF, IMPROPER AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR (REPLACED TIRES WELL BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP). HYUNDAI HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER MODELS (FRONT SUB-FRAME) BUT NOT ON SANTA FE'S (ONLY REAR TRAILING ARM WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL). WHEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES IN MULTIPLE VEHICLES FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, ALL LOCATIONS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND NOT ONLY THE ONLY THAT IS PROMINENT. A 5 MINUTE ADDITIONAL INSPECTION VS. THE ULTIMATE WORSE CASE SCENARIO OF A DEATH, SEEMS LIKE A NO BRAINER. HYUNDAI KNEW THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO ADDRESS IT. THIS HAS NOW COST US ALMOST $3000 IN REPAIRS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. THE MECHANIC THAT FOUND THE PROBLEM WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE BE DRIVEN FROM HIS SHOP, AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. THE WORST PART IS IF THAT IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING OVER THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SEVERE CRASH, WHICH AS YOU KNOW COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. HYUNDAI WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN WE CONTACTED THEM.
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Jul 24, 2012 - Sevenvalleys, PA - Suspension
DRIVING DOWN THE ROADWAY AT 45 MPH AND VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND MAKING THUMPING SOUNDS. THE STEERING WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE ALL OVER THE ROADWAY. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAR CAN NOT BE FIXED DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM RUSTING AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE.
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Dec 01, 2011 - Paulsboro, NJ - Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BEING REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS ASSISTING THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 153,000.
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May 17, 2011 - Brentwood, NY - Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTEN AND CORRODED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
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Apr 01, 2011 - Annapolis, MD - Front
I DRIVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, DRIVEN IN MD, 136K MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT HANDLING RIGHT IN THE CAR, IT WOULD PULL BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS, IT WAS WORSE IN WET CONDITIONS. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ASKED FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO THE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT MY FRONT CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED INTO THE SUB-FRAME OF MY CAR. WHAT OCCURRED IS WHAT THE NHTSA ID # 09V123000 RECALL WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX. I HAD THE RECALL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS AGO. I THINK HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS PART BASED ON THE TIME THAT ELAPSED BETWEEN INITIALLY ADDRESSING THE RECALL AND TODAY. FAILURE TO FIX THIS MALFUNCTION WOULD MOST LIKELY RESULT IN A CRASH OR OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
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Apr 01, 2011 - Annapolis, MD - Rear
I DRIVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, DRIVEN IN MD, 136K MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT HANDLING RIGHT IN THE CAR, IT WOULD PULL BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS, IT WAS WORSE IN WET CONDITIONS. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE HYUNDAI DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND ASKED FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO THE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM. THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT MY FRONT CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED INTO THE SUB-FRAME OF MY CAR. WHAT OCCURRED IS WHAT THE NHTSA ID # 09V123000 RECALL WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX. I HAD THE RECALL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS AGO. I THINK HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS PART BASED ON THE TIME THAT ELAPSED BETWEEN INITIALLY ADDRESSING THE RECALL AND TODAY. FAILURE TO FIX THIS MALFUNCTION WOULD MOST LIKELY RESULT IN A CRASH OR OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
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Mar 29, 2011 - Warsaw, IN - Front
2003 - HYUNDAI SANTA FE - MARCH 29, 2011. THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING BROKE ON MY SANTA FE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. LUCKLY I WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE ROAD. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I MAY NOT BE HERE TODAY. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS, AND FOUR NEW TIRES FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF $1300. I WOULD LIKE HYUNDAI TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR COST SINCE IT WAS THERE DEFECTED SPRING THAT BROKE.
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Mar 11, 2011 - Charlotte, NC - Front, Control Arm, Lower Arm
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN THE STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/01/11 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE HYUNDAI CORROSION CLASS ACTION AT A COST OF $ 2100. UPDATED 08/04/11
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Mar 11, 2011 - Charlotte, NC - Front
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN THE STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/01/11 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE HYUNDAI CORROSION CLASS ACTION AT A COST OF $ 2100. UPDATED 08/04/11
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May 15, 2010 - Palisades, NY - Rear
WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT ABOUT 30MPH, THE REAR LEFT SUSPENSION FAILED AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. THE WHEEL CONNECTING TO IT WAS OUT OF ITS POSITION BY ABOUT 10 DEGREES. THE SUSPENSION IS HEAVILY RUSTED AND I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND NO ONE GOT HURT. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO YOU. SO I THINK MY CASE WOULD BE ONE OF THEM.
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Jan 27, 2010 - Marfton Mills, MA - Rear
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE OVER 5 DAYS TO PERFORM DUE TO THE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS. THE CONTACT DID NOT FIND THAT INFORMATION LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V123000; COMPONENT: SUSPENSION REAR OR THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD TAKE MORE THAN A FEW HOURS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,500.
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Dec 29, 2009 - Parlin, NJ - Rear
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE FRONT LEFT TRAILING ARM CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE BAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. AFTER THE REPAIR SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 09V123000(SUSPENSION:REAR). SHE SENT RECEIPTS TO THE MANUFACTURES MAIN OFFICE IN REFERENCE TO REIMBURSEMENT. SHE RECEIVED A LETTER REJECTING HER CLAIM SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,299.
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Jul 27, 2007 - Hamilton, OH - Front, Control Arm, Lower Ball Joint
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
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Jul 18, 2007 - Annandale, VA - Suspension
I HAVE HAD A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE TIRES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I CONTINUED TO TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND CHARGED ME. THE SQUEAKING NOISE WAS STILL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, ONE IN THE FRONT AND ONE IN THE BACK. MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT ONCE CHANGING ONE YOU COULD CHANGE ALL THE OTHER ON THE SAME SIDE . THEY REFUSED. I HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE NOW MORE THAN EVER, AND THEY CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT HEAR IT. THE LONGER YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE LOUDER IT GOT. THIS WAS REALLY COSTING ME MY TIME , AND HYUNDAI DEALERS DID NOT CARE ABOUT A NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER. THEY WILL NOT EVEN GO OVER MY VEHICLE ANYMORE WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. THEY JUST STATED WELL WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. . I HAVE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM TOOK THE TIME. ALL THEY WANTED WAS MORE MONEY FOR STUFF THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED.
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Jun 16, 2006 - Cherry Hill, NJ - Suspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHILE AT A STOP. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTICED THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD CORROSION, THE WINDSHIELD WAS ETCHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
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Aug 05, 2004 - Bristol, RI - Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND ROTATED THE TIRES, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VIBRATION AND FLUTTER OCCURRED AT 40 MPH TO 60 MPH AND WAS MOST NOTICEABLE AT 50 MPH DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION (60 TO 40 MPH). THE FLUTTER/VIBRATION WAS FELT IN THE CONSUMERS HANDS ON THE WHEEL, FEET, AND FEET. THIS WAS AN INTERNAL VIBRATION/FLUTTER AND NOT JUST A ROAD VIBRATION.
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Dec 12, 2003 - Salisbury, MD - Suspension
WHEN AT A STOP VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK FORWARD. DEALERSHIPS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.
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