Hyundai Recalls Sonata and Grandeur Models

Research by the Korea Consumer Protection Board found that cooling water can form foreign substances in the radiators of Hyundai Motor's medium-size Sonata NF sedan and the medium-large Grandeur TG. Foreign substances can form in all Sonata NF and Grandeur TG cars produced from the vehicle’s first day of production until the end of May.

Hyundai apparently knew of the problem but continued producing the vehicles without improvement for three or four years.

The consumer watchdog said Tuesday it found a white substance in cooling water or cooling water turning yellow in 13 out of 15 Sonata NFs tested and six of eight Grandeur TGs. The board ordered Hyundai Motors to address them. “There was no problem in examination of cooling performance and cooling water related parts. However, we need to keep an eye on whether there is any problem especially when vehicles run for a long time,” the board said.

Hyundai Motor said the problem was due to inadequate management of the water that is blended with an antifreeze solution at its Asan Plant. “Since May 22, the plant has improved the management of plant water by changing the water from recycled water to tap water supplied by Asan city.”