Electrical Shorts in Hyundai ABS Modules’

Re: NHTSA Campaign 20V061000

Laguna Hills, CA – Feb 6, 2020 – Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Elantra and 2007-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles citing the risk of short circuiting ABS modules. Electrical shorts within the affected ABS Modules’ may result in engine fires, even when the car is not being used. 

The estimated total of affected vehicles is 429,686

The defect

Over 400,000 Hyundai vehicles from 2006-2011 are under recall due to a risk of electrical shortage and increased risk of engine combustion. Hyundai Motor America received their first claim of an alleged engine fire on a 2007 Hyundai Elantra in October 2017. Hyundai Motors immediately requested all field information that could possibly related to other incidents of internal engine combustion and found two additional reports of internal fires in Elantra vehicles. On all three vehicles various fuses related to the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module were found open, indicating the possible origin of the three internal shorts and engine combustion. After two of the three known incident parts were received in November 2017, Hyundai Motors analyzed the recovered parts for signs of internal shorting due to exposed brake fluid or moisture contamination. By March 2018, Hyundai Motors could not properly confirm that internal shorting was caused by moisture ingress due to the extent of heat damage to the incident ABS Modules. In the remaining months of 2018, Hyundai continued to motor incidents in the field but  was made aware of only one additional incident and decided to initiate a recovery of in-use ABS modules for random inspection.

By March 2019, a total of eleven new vehicles were surveyed (one new incident vehicle and ten previously in-use vehicles) but no sign of moisture ingress was apparent. From April 2019 to December 2019, Hyundai Motors continued their analysis in warranty part returns from both U.S. markets and international markets, hoping to find evidence of possible moisture interference. In this analysis Hyundai found certain recovery parts conditions that could potentially lead to increased moisture in the electrical circuit of ABS modules. Although no certain trend relating to Elantra design or manufacturing, Hyundai recommended addressing the issue by de-powering the ABS module during the ignition OFF state but ultimately decided to conduct an official safety recall on January 28, 2020.

The solution

Although Hyundai is still looking for premature signs of moisture ingress in ABS Modules, the proper solution at the moment is to install a relay in the vehicle’s main junction box to ensure little to no risk of an ABS short-circuit. Any official Hyundai dealer will perform this recall repair free of charge. Owners will be notified by Hyundai Motor America on the official expected recall date – April 3, 2020. Until then, affected owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 with the official recall number, 188, for more information.

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

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Marshall EarleyElectrical Shorts in Hyundai ABS Modules’