US regulators probe Hyundai Sonata steering

U.S. safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into claims that the Hyundai Motor Co Sonata sedan may have steering problems, government officials said on Tuesday.

The investigation comes as Hyundai moved to increase production of the Sonata, its best-selling car in America, at its plant in Alabama.

There have been no injuries or crashes reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or Hyundai regarding the Sonata steering issue, NHTSA and company officials said.

Steering could be a problem on 16,300 Sonata sedans, NHTSA said, which also said Sonatas cited in its reports each had fewer than 600 miles driven on them.

NHTSA said it will investigate to verify consumer complaints that "the steering shaft allegedly decoupled from the hand wheel resulting in a complete loss of steering capability."

NHTSA opened the investigation for the Sonatas last Friday, a day after it began a preliminary investigation into an estimated 37,889 model-year 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDIs that may have engine stalling problems. NHTSA said it received seven complaints on the engine problems.

On August 23, after receiving 217 consumer complaints, NHTSA opened a probe regarding possible fuel spills during refueling on as many as 223,000 Chrysler Jeep Wranglers from model years 2007 and 2008.

No crashes or injuries have been reported to NHTSA regarding the Wrangler or the Jetta issues.

Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor said two Sonata customers brought their sedans to Hyundai dealerships complaining of steering problems. Those cars were fixed and returned to the owners.

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