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Did a US automaker blow the whistle on Hyundai, Kia fuel economy issue?

In all of the most hotly contested mainstream segments of the motoring universe, the difference of one mile per gallon averaged on a widow sticker can mean the difference between a sale and a walk-off - to say nothing of two or three mpg. So, when Hyundai and Kia were forced to reveal that many of their 40-mpg ratings were actually 38s and 37s, well, it made for big news.
It also, conceivably, made for a competitive disadvantage immediately, when the Korean automakers' products were being shopped versus the guys down the block. And it's that disadvantage that makes a recent story from Automotive News so juicy.
AN is reporting that Margo Oge, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, got a tip in 2010 that Hyundai/Kia were "cheating" to get its impressive fuel economy numbers. The tip, said Oge (who retired from the EPA this past September), came from a senior vice president from a domestic automaker. The source was credible enough for Oge to launch an audit of the Hyundai figures, which ultimately lead to the debacle that we reported on a few months ago, and that the Korean company has been trying to bounce back from ever since.

Hyundai recalling 15,500 Entourage minivans over rust in cold-weather states

Hyundai has increased its quality by leaps and bounds in recent years, but we're not sure the Entourage minivan is the best representation of the brand. Essentially a rebadged version of the Kia Sedona, the Entourage has been out of production for about five years now, and it's evidently run into some trouble.
The problem apparently revolves around the suspension - specifically the front lower control arm - which could rust and fracture, particularly in snow-belt states. As a result, Hyundai and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have issued a recall for the Entourage from the 2007 and 2008 model years, the only two years it was sold in the United States.
The recall applies to some 15,500 units sold or registered in Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Hyundai will notify owners as to when they should bring their vehicles in for inspection before either rustproofing or replacing the components in question. What's interesting, however, is that the nearly identical Kia Sedona has not been subject to the same recall.

Hyundai recalls 570k Sonatas and Accents in two separate campaigns

Hyundai is announcing two recalls that cover a total of 569,500 vehicles in the US for two of the brand's models. There are no reports of accidents or injuries related to either problem, though. The larger and potentially more serious campaign covers 470,000 units of the 2011-2012 Sonata with production dates between December 11, 2009, and April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. It's specifically for those with the 2.0- or 2.4-liter direct injected engines. During production of the crankshaft, metal debris might not have been fully removed, and those pieces could block the connecting rod oiling passages. This lack of lubrication can increase wear on the connecting rod bearings, and the issue can lead to a loud knocking noise or possibly even a failure while the car is in motion. Hyundai has a two-step process to fix the issue. First, the company will have the vehicles come in for an inspection, and if necessary will "replace the engine assembly." The company will also extend the warranty on the short block to 10 years/120,000 miles for all owners. Notifications will go out by November 2, and there will be a second letter when the parts become available. The other recall covers 99,500 examples of the 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent with manufacturing dates between March 1, 2009, and February 11, 2011. On these models, the brake light switch may begin to only work intermittently. This can lead to a variety of problems, including the brake lights not coming on, the inability to turn off the cruise control with the pedal, and the shifter not moving out of Park. The fix will be a replacement of the switch, and the campaign will begin on November 2. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Connecting Rod Wear may Result in Engine Stall Report Receipt Date: SEP 10, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 Component(s): ENGINE Potential Number of Units Affected: 470,000 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) HYUNDAI SONATA 2011-2012 Details Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America SUMMARY: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft.