What 152 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Accent 5

Hyundai's current handling of recall 251 is inadequate, posing significant danger to drivers and passengers. Hyundai's remedy for Recall 251 replaces ABS fuse with a lower amperage fuse. While this may prevent fires caused by brake fluid leaks, it disables the ABS, introducing severe safety hazards: •Without ABS, the risk of wheel lockup during heavy braking increases, leading to skidding and loss of control. •ABS reduces stopping distances, especially on slippery surfaces. Disabling it may result in longer stopping distances, raising collision risks. •Drivers accustomed to ABS may not be prepared for how the vehicle behaves without it, potentially leading to improper braking. Federal regulations mandate that all U.S. cars and minivans manufactured in 2012 or later must have four-wheel ABS. By disabling the ABS, Hyundai circumvents this requirement, compromising safety. Despite attempts to communicate these safety issues, Hyundai has shown inadequate response. This suggests a disregard for customer safety and an effort to avoid liability and the cost of providing loaner vehicles or temporary replacements. Hyundai has not offered alternative transportation to affected drivers. Given these safety risks and Hyundai's inadequate response, we urgently request NHTSA to: 1.Ensure Recall 251 Remedy does not compromise safety by disabling the ABS. 2.Hold Hyundai accountable for maintaining four-wheel ABS in affected vehicles. 3.Require Hyundai to develop a safer recall remedy that: oFixes the Root Cause: Properly addresses the brake fluid leak to eliminate the fire risk without compromising the ABS. oMaintains ABS Functionality: Ensures the ABS system remains fully operational. oProvides Safety Support: Advises vehicle owners not to drive affected vehicles until the new remedy is implemented and provides loaner vehicles or temporary replacements. We urge the NHTSA to take immediate & decisive action to compel Hyundai to develop a safer, more effective solution.

NHTSA ODI 11602480

WE PURCHASED A 2012 HYUNDAI ACCENT ON OCTOBER 19, 2011. FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY WE STARTED HAVING ISSUES WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT BRAKE AT TIMES AND WOULD HAVE BOUTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE WE ADVISED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND EVEN BROUGHT IN OUR VEHICLE TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANY KIND OF DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THAT I WAS BEING A PARANOID WOMAN AND NEW MOMS TEND TO WORRY TOO MUCH. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. WE ADVISED HYUNDAI, THE DEALERSHIP AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE ISSUE. EACH TIME WE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE ACTED VERY CAVALIER AS IT WAS "NOT A BIG DEAL" AND WOULD SEND US ON OUR WAY. WE HAD VARIOUS COMMUNICATIONS AND HAVE PAPERWORK WHERE THE DEALERSHIP NOTED WE WERE COMPLAINING OF THE BRAKES NOT WORKING AND THEN THEY WOULD STATE THEY DID NOT/WILL NOT DO A DIAGNOSTIC. I WOULD NOT ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE FURTHER AS IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS WAS NOT ONLY GOING TO KEEP HAPPENING BUT AS TIME PASSED IT HAPPENED MORE FREQUENTLY AND CAUSED ME TO FEAR FOR MY LIFE. IN DECEMBER 2013 I ADVISED MY HUSBAND I FEARED FOR MY LIFE. ONE WEEK LATER 12/16/13 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS SLOWLY TURNING, WENT TO BRAKE AND THE BRAKES FELT EMPTY AS THEY DID WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND THE CAR REVVED LOUDLY AND ACCELERATED AT AN EXTREME SPEED. THESE BOUTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ARE DOCUMENTED YET HYUNDAI AND THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY,. THEY DISMISSED MY CLAIM STATING OUR FLOOR MAT PROTECTOR WHICH LAYS FLAT AND HAS PLENTY OF CLEARANCE IS THE CAUSE HOWEVER I MUST ADVISE AND HAVE RESPONDED THAT THE FLOOR MAT PROTECTORS WERE NOT PURCHASED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND DID NOT GET PUT INTO THE VEHICLE UNTIL JULY OF 2013 SO THE DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS WERE MOSTLY BEFORE AND ONE IN JULY 2013 AFTER THEY HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605008