Hyundai Veloster Recalled Over Odd Parking Sensor Defect
Hyundai is recalling 26,169 decade-old Velosters over parking sensors that could short circuit and pose a fire risk. Insufficient sealing of the printer circuit board for the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS) could allow water to infiltrate the unit, according to the relevant documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In certain instances, this could cause an electrical short that may throw off sparks.
The recall, launched at the very end of February, isn’t new. However, the limited nature of the problem on an older model meant it hasn’t gotten much attention. Consumer Reports covered the matter shortly after the paperwork was filed with the NHTSA. But it only recently started getting broader attention after more outlets noted that Hyundai had received at least five reports of fires related to the issue.
From Consumer Reports:
Hyundai states in documentation filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that there have been five reports of fires but no confirmed crashes or injuries related to this problem. Owners will be notified in late April 2023 about this recall.
There have been more than 7 million vehicles from Hyundai and Kia, both part of the Hyundai Motor Group, recalled for fire risks. The causes range from four-cylinder engines, faulty wiring, brake systems, battery problems, and now improperly sealed circuit boards. Both automakers are under investigation by NHTSA, and they face a class-action lawsuit.
South Korea’s record for fire-related recalls certainly hasn’t been great. However, it should be said that recalls attached to some risk of fire have gone up for most legacy manufacturers over the last few years. If we look into who was leading in overall recalls for 2022, Ford had the most – followed by Volkswagen, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors. Though Kia and Hyundai followed immediately after.
If you happen to own an older Veloster model, be on the lookout for the car’s rear parking assist acting oddly. In some instances, the transmission may also end up getting stuck in Park. The defect pertains specifically to 2012-2013 Hyundai Velosters manufactured between July 4th, 2011, and September 27th, 2013.
The proposed fix has dealers offering inspections and replacing the RPAS fuse and sensor as necessary – free of charge, of course.
Owners can call Hyundai customer service at 855-371-9460 for more information, using the recall code 242, or head over to the NHTSA website where they can input their VIN or search for recall campaign 23V-132.
[Image: Darren Brode/Shutterstock]
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A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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"the transmission may also end up getting stuck in Park"
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