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 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