2020 Hyundai Recalls and Safety Alerts

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 8,176 model year 2019-2020 Nexo Fuel Cell and model year 2019-2021 Kona Electric vehicles. The Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may detect an abnormal sensor signal and -- as a result -- may significantly reduce braking performance.

Reduced braking power could lengthen the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the IEB software free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 22, 2021.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 199.

Hyundai Motor Americais recalling 128,948 model year 2015-2016 Velosters, 2012 Santa Fe vehicles, model year 2011-2013 and model year 2016 Sonata Hybrids.

The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced.

Dealers also will install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 22, 2021.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 60,097 year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled.

Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.

An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2021.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 6,707 model year 2019-2020 Kona Electric vehicles.

The lithium ion battery may short-circuit after it is fully charged, increasing the risk of a fire.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the Battery Management System (BMS) software and inspect the lithium ion battery, replacing it -- if necessary -- free of charge.

Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the repair is complete.

The recall is expected to begin December 11, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 196.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 319 model year 2021 Genesis G70s with 2.0L GDI engines.

The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.

Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the fuel pump assembly jet nozzle free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 13, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 005G.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 180,000 model year 2019-2021 Tucsons.

The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.

Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 600,000 cars in the U.S. because of a defect that the companies say could cause the vehicles to catch fire.

The affected vehicles are the 2013 through 2015 model years and include 283,803 Kia Optimas from 2013 to 2015 and 156,567 Kia Sorentos from 2014 and 2015. The recall involves 151,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from the 2013 to 2015 model years.

The jointly owned companies say the problem is caused when brake fluid leaks inside a hydraulic control unit for the anti-lock brakes. When that happens, it can cause an electrical short which can spark a fire. It’s not exactly a new issue because the automakers have been investigating it since 2018.

Hyundai has told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it has received 15 reports of engine fires caused by the leak. Kia has reported eight such incidents. Fortunately, neither brand has reported any injuries.

Previous recall

Earlier this year Hyundai recalled 429,686 model year 2006 through 2011 Elantras and model year 2007 through 2011 Elantra Touring vehicles for a similar fire-related issue.

The company said moisture could enter the anti-lock brake (ABS) module and result in an electrical short. The company cautioned that an electrical short within the ABS module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

In the most recent recall, Hyundai-Kia said it would notify owners of affected vehicles and recommend that they take the cars to a dealer for inspection and repair.

In the meantime, owners who want to find out if their car is part of the recall can go to the NHTSA website and enter their vehicle’s VIN.

Hyundai is making further investments in the electric vehicle (EV) market. On Monday, it announced the launch of IONIQ as its new EV brand and promised three new electric cars out of the gate.

“IONIQ” is a fusion of “ion” and “unique,” something the Korean automaker framed as “a new chapter.” The company says its EV experiences will be centered on connected lifestyle solutions in line with Hyundai’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ an ambition centered on putting eco-friendly mobility atop the car-buying public’s wishlist and making hydrogen an economically viable energy source.

Some car lovers might remember IONIQ as a vehicle Hyundai produced in 2016, but that version had a rough start and a string of recalls.

What’s in it for the consumer

The new brand is going to use Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which the company claims will enable “fast charging capability and plentiful driving range.”

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5/6/7 three-model electric vehicle lineup includes:

• Hyundai IONIQ 5 -- a midsize Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) that combines features of an SUV and a passenger car -- will come out first, sometime in early 2021. 

• Hyundai IONIQ 6, an electric sedan “based on the company’s latest concept EV ‘Prophecy,’” is set to release in 2022.

• IONIQ 7 -- set to follow in early 2024 -- is a “large SUV,” according to Hyundai’s press release.

Specifications like mileage, charge time, etc., aren’t available yet, but the company said that more information will be released as the coming out party for the IONIQ 5 happens in 2021.

Timing is everything

The Korean automaker’s timing might be good. While COVID-19 certainly put a wallop on the fuel-powered auto market, life for EVs was relatively calm. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic will affect global electric vehicle markets, although to a lesser extent than it will the overall passenger car market,” suggests the International Energy Agency.

“Based on car sales data during January to April 2020, our current estimate is that the passenger car market will contract by 15 percent over the year relative to 2019, while electric sales for passenger and commercial light-duty vehicles will remain broadly at 2019 levels. Second waves of the pandemic and slower-than-expected economic recovery could lead to different outcomes, as well as to strategies for automakers to cope with regulatory standards.”

U.S. charging stations continue to grow

Plug-in power stations and charging outlets continue to grow and help push the EV market forward. While the U.S. is far behind China’s 210,000 charging stations, the number of charging outlets (78,500) and charging stations (24,800) in the U.S. continues to climb in typically urbanized areas in states like California, Texas, and Florida.

“Having a network of charging stations and outlets is absolutely necessary for electric vehicles to be practical for most drivers,” is how Statista’s I. Wagner views the situation. “With faster charging and cheaper, more efficient batteries, long distance travel becomes possible with plug-in EVs.”

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 272,126 model year 2011-2012 Elantra and Sonata Hybrids, and model year 2012 Accents and Velosters.

The 12V accessory socket outlet may have been over-tightened during installation, possibly disabling the thermal fuse and allowing the outlet to overheat with prolonged use, such as by using the Tire Mobility Kit air compressor to inflate a tire.

An overheated accessory outlet increases the risk of fire.

What to do

Hyundai is currently developing a remedy, which will be performed free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin August 28, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 193.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 1,295 model year 2016 Genesis Coupes.

The mounting bolts securing the driver-side front airbag may have been insufficiently tightened, potentially causing the airbag to detach from the steering wheel.

A detached driver's airbag increases the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting bolts and retighten them as necessary free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin June 26, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (800) 633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 192.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 11,870 model year 2020 Nexos and Sonatas.

The Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) software may fail to prevent vehicle movement upon detection of an RSPA system malfunction.

Unintended vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the RSPA software free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin June 4, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 191.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 5,044 model year 2020 Sonatas produced between October 22, 2019, and February 13, 2020.

The tire pressure label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual contain incorrect tire size information.

Incorrect tire information may mislead the vehicle owner to install the wrong tire size, potentially affecting vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers over the tire pressure label and in the owner's manual free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 24, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 190.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 206,896 model year 2013-2014 Sonatas.

The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.

If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

What to do

The remedy for this recall is still under development.

The recall is expected to begin April 24, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 189.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 429,686 model year 2006-2011 Elantras and model year 2007-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles.

Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 3, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 477 model year 2020 Konas.

The certification label may indicate incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). An incorrect GAWR could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install new label stickers displaying the correct GAWR over the affected areas of the certification label free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 20, 2020.

Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at (855) 371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 187.