Hyundai Sonata cars recalled over faulty turn signals

Fountain Valley, CA – October 24, 2021 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) has announced a recall for 469,377 Sonata cars that may have turn signals that flash in the opposite direction of what the driver intends, increasing the risk of a crash. The affected vehicles include:

  • 2015-2017 Hyundai Sonata
  • 2016-2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  • 2016-2017 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid

The affected component is the “Smart Junction Box” with part numbers 91950-C1020, 91950-E6010 and 91950-E6030.

Recall summary  

The issue stems from faulty software that incorrectly interprets which turn signal to activate. As a result, the left turn signal may flash when the right one is activated and vice versa.

There are no known crashes or injuries stemming from this problem.

The 2015-2017 Kia Sedonas have also been recalled over the same issue.

Warning signs

In an affected vehicle, the unintended turn signal direction will illuminate in the instrument cluster.

Recall risks

An inoperable or incorrect turn signal can confuse drivers around you, increasing the risk of an accident.

Other Hyundai recalls

Another recent 2017 Hyundai Sonata recall recently happened because of the risk of fire.

In this case, the 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid problems stemmed from “premature wear” of the engine components, as reported. The recall also included the 2017 Hyundai Tucson.

The repair

Hyundai will notify affected owners on November 19, 2021. Dealers will update the software on the junction box to resolve the issue.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

To check if your vehicle is a part of this Sonata recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalHyundai Sonata cars recalled over faulty turn signals

Hyundai issues fifth recall over fire risk

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 – October 15, 2021 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) has announced its fifth recall this year due to the risk of fire. This recall includes 95,515 cars and is caused by “premature wear” of engine components.

Affected vehicles include: 

  • 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  • 2017 Hyundai Tucson

Recall summary  

Connection rods are engine components which help reduce friction between moving parts in the engine. In affected vehicles, these bearings may suffer from “premature wear,” which may cause the engine to stall while driving. In addition, the connection rod can snap and pierce the engine, which results in oil leaks that may cause fire. 

All vehicles that are part of this Hyundai recall have a 2.0-liter “Nu” GDI engine made in their plant in Ulsan, South Korea, between May 12, 2016 and December 27, 2017. 

Warning signs

Warning signs include a metallic knocking sound and “hesitation” when accelerating. These may be accompanied by illuminated “oil pressure” and “check engine” warning lights on the dashboard, as well as “burning smell, oil leak or smoke.”

To prevent any further damage, the driver should stop the vehicle at the first safe spot and turn off the engine.

Recall risks

Stalling can lead to dangerous situations, especially if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic. A fire inside the engine compartment that occurs while driving has a wide range of potential hazards. Besides the risk of collision, stopping and leaving the vehicle in time may not be possible, which could result in injury or death. There is also a risk of property damage, as the burning vehicle may damage surrounding structures and vehicles.

For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please refer to the following page.

Other Hyundai recalls

This recall is the newest addition to a long list of fire-related recalls that have been affecting Hyundai and Kia vehicles and is a result of an ongoing investigation into “non-collision” fires by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Among recent recalls is a Hyundai Sonata recall that happened in December  and was caused by connection rod bearings issues nearly identical to this one. In January, there was another Hyundai Tucson recall concerning fire risk, although that one was caused by a leaking ABS module. 

The repair

Dealers will address this problem by inspecting the engine for signs of rod bearing damage and replacing the whole engine if needed. In addition, they will update the control software with one that would detect if engines start producing any unusual vibrations. Notifications about the repair will be  sent to vehicle owners on November 12, 2021.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Hyundai recall includes more than 95,000 vehicles. To check for this and other recalls, use  MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHyundai issues fifth recall over fire risk

Hyundai issues fourth recall for fire risk

Fountain Valley, CA – March 20, 2022 – Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) has remedied issues with 7,981 2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2021-2022 Hyundai Sonata, which were dealing with fuel leaks at pipe connection between the fuel rail & fuel pump. By the date of this update, 0 of these 2021-2022 Santa Fe and 2021-2022 Sonata models have been categorized as unreachable and only one has been removed from the recall. All these 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe and Sonata vehicles were remedied during the first quarter of 2021.

Fountain Valley, CA – September 3, 2021  – Hyundai (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) has announced its fourth recall this year due to the risk of fire. This recall includes 15,752 vehicles and is caused by a fuel leak.

The following cars are affected:

  • 2021 Hyundai Sante Fe
  • 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2021 Hyundai Sonata
  • 2022 Hyundai Sonata

Recall summary 

This recall is caused by a supplier error and a manufacturing defect and follows on the heels of a recent Kia recall conducted for the same reasons and due to the same risk

During production, some of the fuel pipes were not sufficiently tightened and some were made out-of-specification. This can lead to a fuel leak  at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail. The latter is a metal pipe that helps transport fuel to the engine.

Millions of cars recalled

This is the fourth fire-related recall that Hyundai issued this year.  Both Kia – in which Hyundai holds a minority stake – and Hyundai have recalled millions of cars in the past five years because of a risk of fire caused by various issues, including brake fuel leaks, faulty engines and electrical shorts. 

Kia is also subject to an ongoing investigation by the auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for this issue, based on at least 1,784 complaints and 77 injuries, as reported.

Risks

A fuel leak can cause a fire in the engine compartment, leading to a crash, injury, or in extreme cases, death. For more on dangers of car fires and what to do in case of one, please see our recent coverage of this Kia Stinger recall.

Safety tips

While this is not explicitly recommended in this instance, in other fire-related recalls, manufacturers have advised drivers to park their vehicles OUTSIDE and AWAY from structures until repairs are completed.

Warning signs

Warning signs for this recall include smelling the odor of fuel, burning or melting or seeing smoke. The driver may also notice that the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) comes on.

Other Hyundai recalls

In April of last year, there was a Hyundai Sonata recall for 11,870 vehicles out of concern for improperly installed self-parking system. Last month, there was a Hyundai Santa Fe recall for 151,205 vehicles over a short in the anti-lock braking system, which may cause an engine compartment fire.

Repair

Owners are set to be notified starting September 6, 2021. The repair is a  free replacement pipe.

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Approximately 15,752 vehicles are part of this General Motors recall. To do a Hyundai recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerHyundai issues fourth recall for fire risk

Hyundai recalls more than 150,000 SUVs over risk of fire

Fountain Valley, CA – May 19, 2021 – Hyundai  (NASDAQ:HYMTF) is recalling 151,205 vehicles because of a short circuit risk within the anti-lock brake (ABS) system. The short circuit may result in a fire, increasing the risk of death and injury for the occupants of the vehicle.

The affected component is the ABS module, with part numbers that start with 58920. The recall includes certain 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUVs. 

Recall summary  

The ABS is a safety system that prevents wheels from locking up during braking, which gives the driver better control over the vehicle.  Due to a supplier error, a brake fluid leak can occur within the ABS, which can cause the unit to short circuit and lead to an engine fire. 

This may happen both when the vehicle is parked or while it is in motion.

Warning signs

The illumination of either the malfunction indicator light (MIL) or the ABS warning light can alert the driver to the electrical short within the unit. In the event of a fire, the driver may smell something burning or see the smoke coming from underneath the hood. 

Risks

A fire can be a serious safety concern if it happens while driving. Potential hazards range from failure to stop and evacuate the vehicle in time to being a threat to other drivers and their passengers. In addition, a burning vehicle may damage surrounding structures and vehicles. 

Safety tips

For safety tips – including where to park your vehicle before it is repaired, please see this recent Kia Sportage and Cadenza recall article.

If a fire breaks out during the journey, the driver and all occupants should follow these steps to get themselves to safety quickly.

Other Hyundai ABS recalls

This recall is a part of ongoing fire-related issues that both Kia and Hyundai vehicles are suffering from. Recently, Hyundai recalled nearly 180,000 Tucson SUVs and almost 95,000 of certain Genesis models over the similar fire risk caused by faulty ABS components.  Kia – which is part-owned by Hyundai and builds vehicles on its platform – recalled over 300,000 cars because of a risk of a fire inside the engine compartment caused by a defective ABS module

Separately, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe was among cars recalled in 2018 for a fuel leak that could lead to a fire.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the ABS fuse with one that is less prone to shorting or potentially replace the whole ABS module. The repair is free and the recall is expected to begin on June 25.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 150,000 vehicles are included in this Hyundai Santa Fe recall. To do a Hyundai recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicHyundai recalls more than 150,000 SUVs over risk of fire

Hyundai recalls Genesis cars that may catch fire

Fountain Valley, CA – April 26, 2021 – Hyundai Motor Company  (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 94,646 vehicles, due to a short circuit risk in the anti-lock brake system (ABS). The short circuit risk may cause a fire,  increasing the risk of a crash.

The component in question is the hydraulic controller for the ABS, with part numbers 58920-B1010, and 58920-B1110. The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2015 Hyundai Genesis
  • 2017 Hyundai Genesis
  • 2017 – 2020 Hyundai Genesis G80 

Recall summary  

The ABS module prevents the wheels from locking, which helps the driver maintain steering control when the brakes are applied. In recalled cars, the ABS module may short-circuit, resulting in an “engine compartment fire,” when the vehicle is parked or while driving.

A small number of Genesis G70 vehicles are being recalled for the same issue under a separate recall. Hyundai Genesis SUVs are not part of either recall.

Warning signs

For warning signs, please see our article about a recent Hyundai Kona recall for fire risk.

Risks

If an engine fire occurs, pull over, move all of the occupants away from the vehicle and call 911. For more information, see this article about a hybrid BMW recall

Safety tips

As in other fire-related recalls, you should park your vehicle “away from structures,” such as your home, other buildings or a garage until it is repaired.

Other Hyundai and Kia fire recalls

This recall is the latest in the long string of Hyundai and Kia fire-related recalls. In March, Hyundai recalled over 4,500 electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries that resulted in multiple fires and at least two rounds of recalls outside the U.S. In January, the manufacturer expanded an old recall of Hyundai Tucson vehicles because of a component of the ABS system that could result in the unit short-circuiting.

In December, Kia – which is part-owned by Hyundai – recalled close to 300,000 vehicles due to a risk of engine fire. No clear cause has been identified.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the ABS module fuse. The repair is free and the recall is expected to begin May 7, 2021. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 94,000 vehicles are included in this Hyundai recall. To check if your Hyundai G80  is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai recalls Genesis cars that may catch fire

Hyundai recalls Kona and Ioniq vehicles that may catch fire

Fountain Valley, CA – May 26, 2022 – Hyundai North America has remedied issues with 3,159 vehicles including the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric dealing with short-circuit problems caused by their lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, 62 of these Hyundai Ioniq EV’s have been categorized as unreachable and 9 have been removed from the recall. Three groups of these 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric with Lithium-Ion Battery Issues were remedied during 2021 and one group in 2022.

Fountain Valley, CA – March 31, 2021 – Hyundai North America (NASDAQ:HYMTF) has recalled 4,696 vehicles equipped with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The batteries may short circuit and potentially cause an engine fire. The recall includes Hyundai Kona 2019 and 2020 Electric vehicles (EV) and 2020 Hyundai Ioniq EV sedans.

Recall summary  

Due to a manufacturing error, the Li-ion batteries in these Hyundai Ioniq Electric and Hyundai Kona EVs may short-circuit and lead to an engine fire

The U.S. recall is being conducted as part of a global recall announced by the manufacturer last month. Among the included countries is South Korea that recently launched its second recall on the back of at least 11 Kona EV fires.

Fire reports

In 2019, three parked Hyundai Kona EV sedans caught on fire in Korea, two in Canada and one in Europe. In each case, the parked vehicle had a full battery charge. Seven more fires were reported in 2020. In each case, Hyundai suspected that the fire was caused by an electrical short in the Li-ion battery. The cause of the issue was identified earlier this year and turned out to be incorrectly folded battery cells.

South Korean recall and subsequent fire

In October of last year, the manufacturer issued a recall South Korea for more than 25,000 Kona Electric vehicles due the risk of fire. After a recalled and repaired Kona caught fire, Hyundai issued another recall in the country.

Warning signs 

The electrical short may take place when the vehicle is parked or while driving. The driver may smell smoke or a burning/melting odor when a battery fire occurs. Additionally, the malfunction indicator (MIL) or the battery lights may come on.

Risks

A fire can injure occupants and a crash due to a fire may injure other drivers or pedestrians. For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please refer to this recent article about a different Hyundai recall

The repair

The recall is set to begin on April 30. In the short-term, the repair is a software update that the owners can conduct themselves or through their dealer.

The long-term repair is for dealers to replace the Battery System Assembly (BSA). This work will be performed once parts are available.  It is important to note that the recalled Kona EV that caught fire in South Korea only received a software update, but not the battery replacement, according to press reports.

Until the repair is completed, do NOT park your car inside. Instead, park it away from structures, including your home, garages and carports.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,600 vehicles are included in this Hyundai recall. To perform a Hyundai recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydHyundai recalls Kona and Ioniq vehicles that may catch fire

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