Hyundai Motor Company announced a recall of more than 226,000 SUVs and compact cars across the U.S over hazardous rearview camera concerns.
The Recalls
The affected vehicles include specific models of the Santa Fe SUV and Elantra sedan, manufactured during the 2021 and 2022 model years.
According to a statement released by Hyundai and documents made public by U.S. safety regulators on Wednesday, the defect stems from cracks that may develop in solder joints on the circuit boards of the rearview cameras.
This issue could result in the camera image failing to display on vehicle screens, significantly diminishing rear visibility. Hyundai warns that the defect could increase the likelihood of pedestrian-related accidents, especially in areas with limited visibility.
Remedy for Recalled Vehicles
The automaker has assured owners that the necessary repairs will be carried out at no cost.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Hyundai dealers will replace the faulty cameras starting January 19, 2025, when affected vehicle owners are officially notified of the recall via notices sent in the mail.
Hyundai's recall comes as the industry focuses on improving vehicle safety features and addressing technological vulnerabilities that pose risks to drivers and pedestrians alike.
Similar Recalls
This is not the first time Hyundai has recently announced a recall due to safety concerns with vehicles.
Last week, Hyundai and Kia announced a recall for over 208,000 combined electric vehicles due to issues with a loss of power. The recalls seek to fix the1 power problem, which could lead to an increased crash risk.
The recalls affected over 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles, including the 2022-2024 Ioniq 5, 2023-2025 Ioniq 6, GV60, GV70 and the 2023-2024 G80 models.
"The subject vehicles are equipped with an Integrated Charging Control Unit ("ICCU") which charges the vehicle's 12-volt auxiliary battery and powers low-voltage vehicle accessory equipment," the NHTSA said in the recall announcement. "Upon fault detection, and accompanied by a series of driver warnings, the vehicle will enter a design-intended 'fail-safe' driving mode that allows immediate full propulsion while gradually reducing motive power over time as the vehicle's battery is discharged. Vehicle systems such as air bags, braking, and powered steering remain operational."
The recall also extends to nearly 63,000 Kia EV6 vehicles from model years 2022 through 2024.
In documents filed with federal regulators, the affiliated Korean automakers explained that a faulty transistor in the charging control unit could fail, preventing the 12-volt battery from charging.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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