Hyundai's all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata just got hit with its first recall (at 2 weeks into US sales, it probably just wants to get one under its belt like the big boys), forcing the little-Korean-that-could to put a "halt sales" order out on all models being sold in South Korea and the United States.
The cause: front door lock mechanisms are screwing up. When front passengers try to open their door from inside the car while also holding the lock button (I assume it's like trying to lock the doors as you're trying to get out of the car... weird), the inside door handle / latch mechanism sticks in the "pulled" or open position; this prevents the door from being able to properly shut.
Apparently pressing the lock button again rectifies the situation, but Hyundai has already decided to get the NHTSA involved and alert customers.
"Anything to do with door latches warrants a recall," Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson said. New parts are arriving in dealerships now, and the fix should not take more than an hour.
-By Phil Alex
Model recalled: 2011 Hyundai Sonata
Total number of affected vehicles: Unknown
Total number of vehicles recalled (worldwide): 47,300 units
Current US inventory (total ; sold): 5,000 units ; 1,300 units respectively
Via: Finchannel & Autonews
