Hyundai Tucson recall expanded due to risk of engine fire

Fountain Valley, CA – January 26, 2021 – Hyundai Motor Company (NASDAQ:HYMTF) expanded its September 4, 2020 recall of certain Tucson vehicles, due to an issue with the anti-lock brake system. The recall, which totals 652,024 vehicles, now includes 2016-2018 Tucson SUVs. The original recall involved Hyundai Tucson 2019 and Hyundai Tucson 2020, as well as the 2021 model year for the same car.

Recall summary  

The issue does not directly affect the brakes in the Tucson Instead, it concerns a hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU), which is a component of the anti-lock brake system. A defective circuit board inside the unit may corrode and cause an electrical short. This may result in an engine compartment fire.

For warning signs related to this issue, please see the article describing the original recall.

Engine fire lawsuit and previous recalls

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson equipped with Theta II gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines was among 2.3 million vehicles that were subject to a 2018 class action lawsuit that claimed that these vehicles were at a higher risk of engine fire and stalling, among other issues. The lawsuit was settled in 2019 with Hyundai and Kia – which used the engines supplied by Hyundai- agreeing to a host of remedies, including cash compensation, free inspection and reimbursement, according to a press release.

Both manufacturers subsequently announced several recalls of other cars – some equipped with Theta II engines – also due to the increased risk of fire. Both the recent Kia Optima and Sorento, as well as Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalls were linked to brake fluid leaking into the HECU causing an electrical short and potentially, a fire. The third recall – conducted by Kia – did not have definitive reasons behind it.

Risks 

For risks related to this recall, see our previous coverage about this Hyundai Tucson recall here.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will add a fuse kit to the ABS module. Model year 2019-2021 Tucsons will also require an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software update.

The latest leg of this recall starts on February 19 and the owners will be notified when the repair is available. Until repairs have been completed,  owners are urged to  park vehicles outside and away from structures. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 652,000 vehicles are included in this Hyundai recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai Tucson recall expanded due to risk of engine fire

Hyundai’s Nexo and Kona cars recalled for faulty brakes

Fountain Valley, CA – December 28, 2020 – Hyundai Motor Company (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 8,176 vehicles, due to a sensor signal malfunction that may “significantly” reduce braking power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell sedans and 2019-2021 Kona Electric SUVs.

Recall summary  

These vehicles operate with an Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system which is designed to automatically reduce the speed of a car when the system determines that the risk of a crash is increasing.  

Recalled vehicles’ IEB may receive a faulty “sensor signal,” which may illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp and increase the time it takes the vehicle to slow down after applying brakes.

Hyundai recalled the 2020 Nexo due to a self-parking system issue in April of 2020. Several model years of Hyundai Kona electric vehicles were recalled in 2020 for a battery issue that could lead to a fire.

Risks 

If the brakes do not work as designed, the driver may not brake in time to avoid hitting another vehicle, a pedestrian or a stationary object, such as the curb, railing or a tree. A crash may injure the vehicle occupants or passengers in other vehicles.

An owner of a 2019 Nexo logged a complaint of last year that mentioned that the brakes would intermittently fail, causing the braking power to fall dramatically and the car speed to be limited to 13 mph. The failure also seemed to allow the car to “roll backward when the brake is not applied.” The complaint was logged before Hyundai started its investigation.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will need to update the IEB software. The repair is free of charge. Hyundai expects the recall to begin on January 22, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 8,100 vehicles are included in this Hyundai Kona Electric and Nexo recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai’s Nexo and Kona cars recalled for faulty brakes

Hyundai recalls over 120,000 cars over faulty engines that may catch fire

Fountain Valley, CA – January 31, 2022 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  (NHTSA),  is currently conducting an investigation to see if the remedy offered in this recall was adequate. Please bookmark this page and come back for any updates. You can find more information about why this is happening here or use our free vehicle lookup tool to see if your car is part of a recall.

Fountain Valley, CA January 20, 2022 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) Hyundai has remedied issues with 49,948 vehicles at risk of engine fire such as the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. Additionally, 4,773 vehicles have been deemed unreachable and another 11,039 vehicles have been removed from the Hyundai recall.

Fountain Valley, CA – December 16, 2020 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) is recalling 128,948 cars because connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear down and cause engine damage, increasing the risk of stalls or fires. The recall includes:

  • 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs
  • 2011-2013 and 2016 Hyundai Sonata hybrid cars
  • 2015-2016 Hyundai Veloster hatchbacks

Recall summary

The recall concerns the vehicles’ engine rod bearings, which help reduce friction between two moving parts in the engine. These cars’ bearings could become worn, which could damage the engine. The damage may even cause the engine rod to snap and the vehicle to stall.

Separately, engines in these recalled cars can catch fire after being punctured by the rod.

High rates of fires

The recall comes a week after NHTSA issued Hyundai a consent order requiring them to clean up their act in regards to safety, by developing better resources, tools, and practices for catching vehicle safety problems early. The consent order was the result of a three-year probe into Hyundai’s behavior regarding recalls of 2011 model year vehicles.

NHTSA is disciplining Hyundai for moving too slowly to recall vehicles with engine issues and high rates of fires, and for reporting inaccurate information to NHTSA regarding the recalls. According to the consent order, Hyundai must create a US safety office, develop better data analytics programs to detect safety issues, and build a new safety testing facility in the US.

Safety concerns

Stalling and fires are both significant safety issues. Owners of recalled cars should watch out for abnormal knocking noises from the engine, reduced engine power or hesitation, the check engine light, the oil pressure light, a burning smell, a visible oil leak, and smoke, which all may be signs of trouble with the rod bearings.

For tips on what to do if your vehicle catches fire, please see the following page.

Repair

This Hyundai engine recall is set to start in late January of next year. Dealers will inspect the engine  for any damage to the rod bearings. If it is damaged, the whole engine will be replaced. Hyundai will also be installing a software update designed to detect engine issues.

Is your vehicle affected by this recall?

Nearly 130,000 cars are included in this Hyundai motors recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandHyundai recalls over 120,000 cars over faulty engines that may catch fire

Hyundai issues second recall of Veracruz SUVs for oil leak

Pleasanton, CA – January 28, 2022 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) has remedied issues with 60,097 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz vehicles that had failures with an engine oil leak. Additionally, 3,432 of these Hyundai vehicles have been categorized as unreachable and 4,832 have been removed from the recall. All these vehicles that presented a Charging System Failure Caused By Oil Leak were remedied during the third quarter of 2021.

Pleasanton, CA – December 5, 2020 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) is recalling 60,097 2007-2012 Veracruz SUVs to repair an oil leak that could cause the car to stall.  This is the second time these cars have been recalled for this issue.

Recall summary

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Hyundai in September after receiving multiple complaints about an issue that should have been resolved by a 2014 recall. As happened in 2020 with the Kia Sedona Minivans, engine oil may be leaking through a faulty rubber gasket on the engine cylinder, where it could drip on the car’s alternator, disabling it. Without the alternator, the car cannot charge itself while running, which will eventually result in a stall.

NHTSA determined that 1% of the vehicles repaired during the first recall went on to have oil leaks due to mistakes made by the dealers during the previous round of repairs.

Safety tips

Even though Hyundai says it knows of no crashes or injuries caused by these failing alternators, stalling does raise the risk of accidents, injuries, and worse. Veracruz drivers should keep an eye on the airbag, battery, and check engine warning lights, which may illuminate if the alternator is in trouble. Even if the vehicle does not stall, drivers may notice their cars surging or hesitating as the charging system dies.  Here are some tips on what to do if your car stalls.

Other Hyundai recalls

In 2018, Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles for airbags issues. The Side Curtain AirBag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage them during deployment.

In another 2018 recall, Hyundai recalled several vehicles including the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs potentially equipped with defective steering assemblies. The campaign affects two sport utility models.

Repair

Hyundai will send updated repair instructions to dealers, who will fix the leaky gasket for free. Hyundai will also reimburse owners of recalled cars who have already paid to have the gasket fixed. The recall should begin in early January 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 60,000 cars are included in this Hyundai recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool to check your car for open recalls.

Rebecca RandHyundai issues second recall of Veracruz SUVs for oil leak

Hyundai Kona Electric recalled for battery short circuit

Pleasanton, CA – October 13, 2020 – Hyundai Motor Company (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 6,707 Kona Electric Vehicles that operate using lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. After the battery is fully charged, it may short circuit. The recall includes 2019-2020 Hyundai Kona EVs.

Recall summary  

Li-ion batteries are high-voltage batteries that power Kona SUVs. These batteries are increasingly used in electric vehicles, because they can provide a higher level of voltage and require less maintenance than other types of batteries.

In recalled vehicles, there is a risk of a short circuit, possibly because of  a damaged battery cell or faulty  battery management system (BMS) software.

Risks 

A short circuit in the Li-ion battery creates the risk of a fire.  So far, there have been 10 reports of fires associated with this recall.

A fire in a parked vehicle can injure the vehicle occupants, nearby pedestrians, and property. If your Kona vehicle catches fire, immediately call 911.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will update the BMS software that controls the Li-ion battery. Dealers will also inspect the battery and replace it, if necessary. The repair is free of charge and is expected to  begin on December 11th.

Owners should park the SUV outside and away from structures until the vehicle software is updated. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 6,700 vehicles are included in this Hyundai Kona recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai Kona Electric recalled for battery short circuit

Hyundai Tucson recalled for faulty brake system and fire risk

Pleasanton, CA – March 4, 2022 – Hyundai Motor Company (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has remedied issues with 495,532 2019-2021 Tucson SUVs dealing with anti-lock brake system problems. Additionally, 11,593 of these Hyundai Tucson models have been categorized as unreachable and 7,877 have been removed from the recall. One group of 2019-2021 Hyundai Tucson SUVs were remedied in 2020 and four groups were remedied in 2021 for this issue with the ABS Unit that may cause an engine compartment fire.

In 2021, Hyundai informed about expanding this recall to 2016-2018 Tucson SUVs due to a similar issue with the anti-lock brake system and a risk of engine fire.

Pleasanton, CA – September 4, 2020 – Hyundai Motor Company (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 180,000 Hyundai Tucson SUVs that operate with an anti-lock brake system (ABS). A component within the brake system may corrode and cause an electrical short.

A short may cause an engine compartment fire, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. The recall includes:

  •  2019-2021 Hyundai Tucson SUVs

Recall summary  

The anti-lock brake system includes a hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU). A defective circuit board on the 2019-2021 Hyundai Tucson Suvs may corrode internally and cause an electrical short. This type of electrical issue may result in an engine compartment fire.

There are several situations that may indicate an engine compartment fire. If the driver sees smoke from the engine compartment, smells burning or melting, a fire may be taking place. If the vehicle’s malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or ABS warning light is illuminating (or both lights are on), there is a risk of engine compartment fire.

Statista estimates that there were 189,500 highway vehicle fires in the US during 2019. On the other hand, Hyundai has documented 12 engine compartment fires related to this defect

Risks 

An engine fire can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle which may result in an accident. Causing injuries to passengers, pedestrians, or to occupants in other vehicles.

If your vehicle has an engine compartment fire, the National Fire Association Council recommends that you do the following:

  • Pull over as quickly as you can into a safe location, such as a rest stop or breakdown lane.
  • Turn off the engine
  • Make sure that all occupants get out of the vehicle
  • Move everyone at least 100 feet away 
  • Call 9-1-1 and explain the situation

The repair

Hyundai will notify owners and replace the defective components. To eliminate the risk of an electrical short circuit, dealers will need to replace the anti-lock brake hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU). The recall is expected to begin October 30, and is free of charge.

Other Hyundai Tucson Recalls

In February 2022, Hyundai recalled several SUVs models including the 2014-2015 Hyundai Tucson due to a risk of fire inside their engine compartments. The models included on the recall are equipped with ABS, which is short for the anti-lock brake system.

Back in 2011, Hyundai recalled several 2011 Tucson vehicles due to a possible transmission fluid leak caused by a badly produced hose. This recall affected models manufactured between July and October in 2010.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Up to 180,000 vehicles are included in this Hyundai ABS recall. To see if your SUV is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle identification number look up tool.

Ken BoydHyundai Tucson recalled for faulty brake system and fire risk

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalled for risk of engine fire

Pleasanton, CA – January 3, 2022 – Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) repaired 75,650 2013 to 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Models dealing with ABS brake module failures that may cause engine fires. Additionally, 3,540 of these Santa Fe Sport models have been categorized as unreachable and 6,204 have been removed from the recall. One group of Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was remedied in 2020 and the other two groups were remedied in 2021 for this risk of an electrical short in the ABS module.

In 2021, Hyundai expanded a similar recall of the 2016-2021 Hyundai Tucson due to a faulty circuit board within the ABS module that can cause an electrical short.

Pleasanton, CA – August 27, 2020 – Hyundai (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 151,205 Santa Fe Sport vehicles due to the risk of an electrical short in the anti-lock braking system (ABS), which may cause an engine compartment fire. The recall includes 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Recall summary  

The 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sports are equipped with ABS that may leak brake fluid into the module due to a design issue. Over time this can result in a short circuit and potentially catch fire.

Fire presents a high risk to car occupants, Santa Fe owners should have their vehicles evaluated and repaired as soon as possible.

Risks 

Drivers and passengers may be harmed by “toxic gases and other hazardous substances,” if an engine compartment fire occurs. There is also a risk of “flying debris” or an explosion. 

If you notice the ABS indicator light or the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) turn on or smell “smoke or a burning or melting order,” your Santa Fe vehicle may be at risk of an engine compartment fire

What to do in the event of a fire

 If you suspect that the car may be on fire, you should:

  • Pull over as soon as possible.
  • Turn off the engine.
  • Exit the vehicle immediately.
  • Call 911.
  • Avoid opening up the hood.

The repair

The dealer will inspect the ABS system and, if necessary, will replace it free of charge. Hyundai expects to begin the recall on October 23.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

To date, fifteen engine compartment fires related to the Hyundai anti-lock brake recall have been documented. Over 150,000 vehicles are included in this Santa Fe Sport recall. To see if your vehicle is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai Santa Fe Sport recalled for risk of engine fire

Hyundai recalls over 200,000 cars for interior fire hazard

Pleasanton, CA – July 3, 2020 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) is recalling 272,126 light vehicles for a fire hazard related to the  12-volt accessory outlet. The recall includes:

  • 2012 Hyundai Accent
  • 2011-2012 Hyundai Elantra
  • 2011-2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  • 2012 Hyundai Veloster

Recall summary

In June, Hyundai determined that 12v “cigarette lighter” outlets inside the cars had been installed too tightly during assembly, disabling the component designed to prevent overheating.

This can lead to the recalled cars smoking or catching fire when fixing a flat tire using the outlet. The tires are inflated using a tire mobility kit which gets plugged into the outlet and come standard on these models.

Hyundai first received a report related to this defect in October 2011.  In November 2018,  a  car caught fire inside someone’s garage  while the tire inflator was in use. Despite that, the car manufacturer was unable to replicate the smoke and burning in tests until this summer.

Safety risks

In the tests Hyundai conducted while investigating this issue, the outlets generated smoke and melted parts of the dashboard. Inhaling smoke from a burning vehicle may pose a health hazard to drivers and passengers, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Modern cars, the administration warns, are made with many synthetic materials, like plastic, that emit dangerous gases when they burn.

If you smell burning plastic or smoke while driving, stop the car someplace safe. Once stopped, turn off the engine and exit the vehicle. If you suspect a fire, stay 100 feet away from the car and call for help.

Repair

The recall will officially begin on August 28, when the company will notify dealers and owners of the issue. However, the repair is not yet available. In the meantime, owners should not use the tire inflator until their 12V outlets have been repaired.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 200,000 cars are included in this Hyundai recall. Check and see if your car is one of them using Motorsafety.org’s free recall lookup tool.


Rebecca RandHyundai recalls over 200,000 cars for interior fire hazard

Crash Risk Prompts Hyundai to Recall Nexo and Sonata Vehicles


Laguna Hills, CA – April 9, 2020 – Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) announced a recall of 2020 Nexo and Sonata vehicles. 11,870 vehicles are included in the recall. The issue is with self-parking system recently popularized by a Youtube video featuring A-list celebrities. The remote control of these vehicles may allow the vehicle to move without control and cause a crash, exposing owners and others to injury.

Parking System Malfunction

The “Smart Park” remote parking control problem of Hyundai’s Sonata and Nexo 2020 vehicles was seen in February 2020 when the company was testing these vehicles. It then did a software update to correct the problem on vehicles it built after but did not update vehicles already built. The issue was seen as rare and not likely to happen again. A Hyundai spokesman told Consumer Report that more investigation had to be done to see if a recall is needed.

Hyundai later got a report that a vehicle continued to move without control while parking remotely. That vehicle was one built before the software update. The company said no one was injured in that incident and it is not aware of any similar incident in the USA.

The problem only affects 2020 Sonata vehicles made between Oct. 22, 2019, and March 20 and Nexo vehicles rolled out between Aug. 16, 2019, and Feb. 18, 2020. The company says there has been no report of accident, injury, or death due to the problem.

Hyundai did have some recalls over the years involving some of its vehicles. The problems were with Sonata, Genesis, Santa Fe and Tucson. Issues included hood latch not securing properly, brake light indicator not coming on, transmission problem causing vehicle to stall, and sunroof deflector detaching while driving. None of the issues present a lethal risk. Recall completion rate for these issues is at 86.5%.

This latest remote-control problem is not widespread, confined only to the 2020 Sonata and Nexo vehicles made before the problem was seen. There is no other open recall for this vehicle part, as the system was only installed on early output of these two models.

Does This Hyundai Recall Affect You?

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the software free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 4, 2020.

Use motorsafety.org lookup tool to find out if your vehicle is affected, book an appointment for a free repair, and sign up for notifications.

Joe GlaserCrash Risk Prompts Hyundai to Recall Nexo and Sonata Vehicles

Sonata Low Pressure Fuel Pump May Overheat And Crack

re: NHTSA campaign 20V121000

Laguna Hills, CA – June 30, 2022 – Hyundai has remedied 117,574 2013-2014 Hyundai Sonata that was dealing with fuel leaking issues caused by a crack in the low-pressure fuel hose. Additionally, 8,451 of these Hyundai Sonota models have been identified as unreachable and 22,412 have been retired after the recall. Two groups of these 2013 – 2014 Hyundai sonatas with fuel leak issues were remedied in 2020, four groups were remedied in 2021, and one group during the first quarter of 2022.

Laguna Hills, CA – February 28, 2020 – 2013-2014 Hyundai Sonata low-pressure fuel hose may crack and leak due to high temperatures around the engine. If the low-pressure fuel pump overheats it may crack and leak fuel, increasing the risk of fire and inhibiting the ability to operate the vehicle normally.

The potential number of affected units is 206,896.

The defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) has recalled over 200,000 2013-2014 Hyundai Sonatas whose low-pressure fuel pumps may crack and leak fuel when subjected to high temperatures. The low-pressure hose connects the low-pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump. If the low-pressure hose cracks, fuel may leak from the hose and cause a fire. A slight fuel smell may develop if the fuel hose starts to leak, if vehicle occupants start to smell fuel they are advised to stop operation of the vehicle immediately and have the vehicle inspected.

In November 2016, Hyundai Motor America (HMA) decided to conduct an investigation into previous reports concerning a fuel leak in certain model year 2013 Sonata vehicles. Of the previously recorded incidents, none of them indicated engine fire, smoke, or any time of burning odor. Hyundai decided to issue a Quality Information Report (“QIR”) and open an examination into the potential for the leak to cause an engine compartment fire. From December 2016 to April 2017, Hyundai continued to investigate the previously reported incidents as well as new field reports. The new incidents were similar to previously recorded ones – a fuel leak without any evidence of an engine compartment fire. In May 2017, HMA finalized their investigation and decided that the fuel leak in the low-pressure fuel hose was too small to ignite an engine compartment fire. Formally closing the investigation, HMA decided to continually motor field reports from vehicle owners. In February 2020, HMA received news from Kia Motors America that they were to recall certain vehicles that were made with the same fuel pumps as the previously examined Sonata vehicles. Kia Motors America issued a safety recall in the U.S. on certain vehicles whose low-pressure fuel lead line may creak and leak fuel, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire. Although HMA received no reports of an engine compartment fire in their vehicles, they decided on February 25, 2020, to issue a formal safety recall on 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles with cracked fuel pumps.

The solution

The current remedy to this recall is under investigation. Most likely it will entail a patch to the crack in the lead to the fuel pump or the installation of a completely new fuel pump, but the information provided by HMA is limited. Once the remedy has been decided upon, it will be performed at no charge. If customers have any further questions they are welcome to contact Hyundai customer service at 1 (800) 633-5151.

For more information on this or other recalls past or present, visit MotorSafety.org.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleySonata Low Pressure Fuel Pump May Overheat And Crack