Hyundai Recalls Over 400,000 Elantras Due to Short/Fire Risk

Hyundai Motor America is recalling nearly 430,000 vehicles in the United States over a short risk that could create a fire hazard. Affected models include Hyundai Elantras from the 2006-2011 model years and the Hyundai Elantra Touring from 2007-2011.

Even though the problem is really similar to the one that afflicted older Azera and Sonatas manufactured around the same time, Hyundai says the recall is not related to previous Hyundai recalls. Both cases involved moisture getting into the antilock brake module, which then overheats and creates a fire risk. In both cases, Hyundai said fires can occur after the vehicle is turned off.

Our advice? Be doubly careful if your ABS warning light makes an appearance whilst driving and don’t park your Elantra inside a garage or carport until after repairs have been made.

Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claim Hyundai found no “discernible trend relating to a design or manufacturing defect” allowing water to enter the system. It makes one wonder how hard they are actually looking. The NHTSA said it opened an investigation on various Hyundai and Kia models in 2019 (after the Azera and Sonata recalls) due to the elevated number of fire complaints from owners of older vehicles. Plenty of those incidents had nothing to do with ABS, however, and instead dealt with various engine manufacturing defects resulting in debris accumulation or oil leaks ( especially on the Theta II).

For the manufacturer’s latest recall, the fix involves installing a relay inside the main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short circuit while the car is turned off. Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to address the water intrusion that’s at the heart of the issue.

As usual, any necessary repairs will be conducted free of charge. Owners with affected vehicles should be getting their notification letters early next month.

[Image: Hyundai]