Hyundai has issued two separate recalls impacting more than 390,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada.
The first of the two recalls involves no less than 203,000 Santa Fe Sport models built during the 2013-2015 model years. Documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that brake fluid from the SUV can leak into the anti-lock brake computer, which can cause an electrical short and trigger a fire.
Owners are being encouraged to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures until the problem is fixed. Hyundai says it will resolve the issue by replacing a fuse and if necessary, will also replace the computer. The South Korean car manufacturer is aware of 18 fires in the U.S. stemming from the issue but hasn’t reported any injuries. Owners will be notified of the recall in June.
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Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the Santa Fe Sport has been recalled for this issue as a separate recall was issued in September 2020. Hyundai says this latest recall “enhances the remedy” of that first recall.
Elsewhere, the automaker has announced a recall for almost 187,000 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster models with the 2.0-liter engine. The engines of these vehicles may have been assembled with inconsistently heat-treated piston oil rings that could increase oil consumption and perhaps trigger a knocking sound or cause the engine to seize and stall. In the event of the engine seizing, there are concerns it could cause a connecting rod to puncture the engine block, potentially triggering an oil leak and a fire.
Hyundai will inform owners of the recall in late June 2021. All vehicles will have their engine control software updated and if damage is discovered during the inspection, the engine will be replaced free of charge.