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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