The leaking rear brakes were originally detected last month on Kia Sorento models.
Hyundai is recalling all 2011 Santa Fe models built at a Kia plant in Alabama because of bad brakes. Defective rear brake calipers can leak and diminish braking performance. Drivers of the affected Sante Fe models should see a brake warning light come on and feel a soft pedal if the Santa Fe brakes are leaking.
The defective brake calipers are also in use on 2011 Kia Sorento SUVS, which are also subject to the recall, which was announced last month. (See Kia Recalling Alabama Built Sorento SUVs for Bad Brakes)
Hyundai dealers will inspect the rear calipers and replace them if necessary without charge as require by U.S. law.
Hyundai says that owners will be notified by mail during December 2010, after NHTSA has approved the owner notification letter.
Owners can contact Hyundai roadside assistance at 1-800-243-7766 about Hyundai safety recall number 098.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. NHTSA Campaign ID number: 10V613000
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
