Drive a Hyundai? Listen up. The South Korean-based automaker this week announced a voluntary recall of some 305,000 Sonata midsized cars because the brake lights can stay on even when the driver isn't riding the brakes. As you can imagine, this can unintentionally punk drivers behind to also hit the brakes, boosting the risk for a pileup. Though no crashes or injuries have been reported (yet) the potential exists.
Hyundai officials point to a stopper pad between the brake pedal and plunger responsible for turning on the brake lights. They say the stopper pad can deteriorate, causing the plunger to stick and the brake lights to shin indefinitely. That's not all. The transmission also can be shifted out of park without the brake on, and the system that lets the brakes override the gas pedal may fail.
The recall affects Sonatas from the 2011 and 2012 model years. If you're the registered owner of one, head to your nearest Hyundai dealership for a free-of-charge stopper pad replacement. Meanwhile, from all of us here at E3 Spark Plugs, be safe on the roadways.
