Hyundai Issues Recall Due to Defective Sunroof

Hyundai Motor America is recalling about 63,000 late-model Sonata vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs.

The recall, issued October 11 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) applies to sunroof-equipped model year 2015-16 Sonata hybrid cars manufactured between December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Sonatas manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016.

Due to a bonding issue with the sunroof wind deflector, the sunroof panel on the affected vehicles may detach while driving, according to the NHTSA recall notice. The sunroof assembly incorporates a wind deflector at the front of the sunroof to reduce wind noise in the passenger compartment when the sunroof is open. Certain vehicles may have insufficient bonding of the wind deflector anchor plate. If the wind deflector becomes partially detached from its mounting points after the sunroof is opened, it can interfere with the moveable sunroof panel while the sunroof is being closed. The tempered glass sunroof panel can detach from the sunroof assembly due to interference with the wind deflector, or if the customer tries to force the sunroof panel closed. If the sunroof detaches from the vehicle it could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Signs the sunroof may be defective include increased noise due to a loose wind deflector and/or an inability to fully close the sunroof.

Hyundai first became aware of the possible defect in March, according to the NHTSA report. Representatives from Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama inspected the incident vehicle. The car company received additional reports in August, and inspection of these vehicles and subsequent analysis confirmed damage to the wind deflector and correlation to damaged sunroof mounting points.

Hyundai decided to issue a voluntary recall September 29.

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 152. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.