Hyundai is recalling 13,500 of its Veloster coupes because their big panoramic sunroofs can shatter and rain glass onto the driver and passengers.
Shattering sunroofs also might be a problem in cars built by Kia, Hyundai’s sister company.
At least five people have suffered minor injuries when sunroofs in the 2012 model year Velosters shattered, though no crashes have resulted. Hyundai said Wednesday that the sunroof's assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory.
In October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into the problem after receiving complaints from consumers.
Consumers have complained of the same problem in vehicles made by Kia, Hyundai's sister company.
Krystal Miller of Temecula was driving a new Kia Sorrento in October when the she heard a pop like a “gunshot.”
“The next thing I know I am covered in glass and a rod from the sunroof came down hard and hit me across the chest so I then swerved and nearly lost control of my vehicle,” Miller said.
Her 13-month old daughter was in a car seat in the passenger seat and “was covered in glass and screaming.”
Miller said she filed a report about the incident at the California Highway Patrol office in Temecula.
Kia said the car was hit by an external object, but there are numerous complaints about Kia sunroofs shattering in the same manner filed with NHTSA and on consumer automotive forums such as Edmunds.com.
Hyundai is also recalling 4,300 Velosters with manual transmission to fix a parking brake issue.
ALSO:
GM starts truck price war
Lincoln accused of tire trick
Feds fine Toyota $17 million
Follow me on Twitter (@LATimesJerry), Facebook and Google+.
Shattering sunroofs prompt Hyundai to recall sport Veloster
This article
Shattering sunroofs prompt Hyundai to recall sport Veloster
can be opened in url
http://newsplasticity.blogspot.com/2012/12/shattering-sunroofs-prompt-hyundai-to.html
Shattering sunroofs prompt Hyundai to recall sport Veloster
