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

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