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

Mon, 25 Nov 2013

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.

RECALL Subject : Front Lower Control Arm Corrosion
Report Receipt Date: NOV 06, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V556000
Component(s): SUSPENSION
Potential Number of Units Affected: 15,500

Manufacturer: Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc

SUMMARY:
Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Hyundai Entourage vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2006, through June 30, 2008 and sold in, or currently 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. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may fracture due to corrosion resulting from exposure to road salt and water.

CONSEQUENCE:
A fractured control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in December 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 or by email at consumeraffairs@hmausa.com. Hyundai's recall number is 115.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

By Noah Joseph