23rd March 2023 – (New York) Hyundai Motor America has announced a recall of 567,912 vehicles due to a potential fire hazard caused by a short circuit in some models’ tow hitch harness. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed.
The recall affects several models, including the 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe hybrid, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in hybrid, and Santa Cruz. The NHTSA has stated that water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) could cause an electrical short, leading to a potential fire.
Hyundai has stated that it is currently working on a fix for the issue and will notify affected customers soon. The recall comes after a series of similar recalls by other car manufacturers, including Kia America Inc, which has recalled 3,555 units of its Carnival model manufactured between 2022 and 2023 over a similar defect.
The NHTSA has advised vehicle owners to take precautionary measures, such as parking their vehicles outside and away from structures, until the remedy is completed. The agency has also warned that failure to address the issue could result in a potential fire hazard.
Hyundai has said that it is committed to the safety of its customers and that it takes such issues seriously. The company has urged affected customers to contact their local dealer as soon as possible to schedule the necessary repairs.
