Hyundai is recalling 37,997 Elantras hybrids over concerns that they might experience unintended acceleration. The issue affects three different model years from 2021 through 2023 and traces its roots back to a software issue. Despite a plethora of testing, Hyundai couldn’t replicate the issue itself but is issuing the recall regardless.
Hyundai says that it first heard reports of unintended acceleration in the affected Elantra population back in August of 2022. At the time, it opened a preliminary investigation and began monitoring the U.S. and Canadian markets. By May of 2023, it had found 24 unconfirmed reports of similar instances and it began to study a repurchased incident vehicle.
By June, Hyundai’s North American Safety Office (NASO) had put some 2,000 miles on that vehicle but couldn’t replicate the condition. Thankfully, Hyundai Motor Corporation (HMC) was able to confirm the issue through its own testing. The issue ends up being tied to the way the gas engine and electric motor hand off power.
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According to the report from HMC, gradual unintended acceleration can take place after the release of the brake pedal when the vehicle is transitioning to EV mode. Technically, Hyundai says the condition is a result of a “fail-safe” and that owners can continue driving their cars as the service brakes and brake override systems still work fine.
Since these findings it hasn’t discovered any other instances aside from the 24 and it hasn’t found any related to injuries or crashes either. The remedy is a simple software update that Hyundai dealers will perform on affected Elantra hybrids. The automaker plans to mail owner notification letters beginning on October 17.
Those who want to determine if their Elantra Hybrid is affected before then can search using their VIN at NHTSA.gov or call their local dealership. As this issue deals specifically with the handoff between the electric system and the gas engine, Elantra owners without a hybrid powertrain don’t need to worry.
