Hyundai Recalls 263,000 Elantras for Power Steering Issue

Hyundai Motor America just announced a recall for Elantra midsize sedans in the United States and Canada.  Affected cars include model years 2008 to 2010 for the Elantra sedans and model years 2009 to 2010 for the Elantra Touring hatchbacks.  205,000 of the affected Elantras are in the United States. 

            The recall is the result of a power steering issue that can occur if a sensor detects a “discrepancy” in steering input.  The power-assisted steering would then be disabled and manual steering would take over.  While injury will not result directly from this issue, the increased difficulty of steering the car if manual steering takes over raises the risk of a crash, especially at low speeds.

            Although the loss of power steering “has not been considered an official safety defect in the U.S.,” the auto industry has increasingly reported similar problems as a safety recall, as Hyundai did here.  No injuries have been reported at this time.  Hyundai will notify dealers and car owners with affected vehicles of the problem and has agreed to repair all vehicles free of charge.

            Hyundai Elantras are consistently one of the top ten best-selling cars in the United States.  Therefore, it is important for Elantra owners to be aware of the potential steering issue and get it fixed before encountering a problem.

            If you have purchased a car that has recently been recalled, take it to the dealer to get fixed.  Further, if injury does occur, you may be entitled to several legal remedies, including:

• Economic damages: you may be able to recoup lost value of the car's resale value. You may also be able to recover for loss of use of the car
• Personal injury recovery: if the defective automobile resulted in physical injuries to you, you may be able to recover for the costs associated with the injury
• Class action: If the recall has affected enough numbers of consumers, a class action lawsuit might be an available option
• Manufacturer reimbursement: Some auto manufacturers may voluntarily pay repair bills the defective product caused before the recall.

Sometimes, however, you may need to initiate litigation to be compensated for your financial as well as your physical losses. At Portner & Shure, we have handled these cases for over twenty years for Maryland and Virginia injury victims. We have the experience and technical resources to analyze your auto accident case, answer your questions, and pursue the compensation you deserve.  Call us today for a free case evaluation at (301) 854-9000 or visit us online at: http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/