Investigations
Steering Shaft Universal Joint Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE12029 — closed, opened 2012-10-09 and involving the HYUNDAI SANTA FE.
NHTSA investigation PE12029 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2012-10-09 and currently closed. The subject of record is HYUNDAI SANTA FE, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for HYUNDAI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2013-06-26 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE12029 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-029 based on one complaint alleging that a fastener became loose in the steering shaft of a model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicle and related Early Warning Re..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related HYUNDAI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE12-029 based on one complaint alleging that a fastener became loose in the steering shaft of a model year (MY) 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicle and related Early Warning Reporting field report data. In it's response to ODI's information request letter for PE12-029, Hyundai identified a total of four incidents of steering shaft universal joint failure in early production MY 2011 Santa Fe vehicles, including the incidents that had been identified by ODI. Two of the failures occurred at low mileage early in 2011, shortly after vehicle sale, leading to Hyundai's initial investigation. Hyundai attributed the failures to operator error at the vehicle assembly plant in failing to fully assemble the universal joint to the steering column shaft before tightening the universal pinch bolt. The company inspected 680 vehicles at the assembly plant as part of its initial investigation and found no additional indications of improper steering shaft assembly. Hyundai implemented changes in the assembly process to ensure proper steering shaft assembly, including the use of a "go/no go" Gap Gauge to ensure that the universal joint knuckle is fully assembled to the steering column shaft before being fastened. Hyundai believes that the improper assembly affected only a few vehicles and that joints that were not properly assembled should have already failed and the likelihood of additional failures is remote. None of the failures involved vehicles produced after the Gap Gauge implementation on April 27, 2011 and no additional failures have been reported since October 2012. Hyundai will notify ODI if any additional failures are reported to the company through the end of 2013. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-rela
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other HYUNDAI Investigations
Inadvertent Seat Belt Unlatch
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Windshield Wiper Failure
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.