Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs Recalled, Thanks to New Fire Risk

Another day, another Hyundai recall. This one concerns fire risks.

The anti-lock brake system module in some 44,000 Santa Fe sport utility vehicles could malfunction, the automaker recently told federal regulators. That could cause an electrical short, leading to fires, the company added.

“The subject vehicles are equipped with Anti-Lock Brake System (“ABS”) modules that could malfunction internally and cause an electrical short over time,” Hyundai said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “An electrical short could result in significant overcurrent in the ABS module increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.”

The recall covers certain 2018 Santa Fe SUVs. It follows a previous recall in which Hyundai called back nearly 360,000 Santa Fe SUVs from model years 2016 to 2018.

The company told NHTSA it is aware of at least four fires related to the defect but no accidents or injuries.

Hyundai plans to notify owners of recalled cars by mail by December 26. It will ask owners to bring cars to local dealers for inspection and repair, free of charge.

In the meantime, the company claims that the cars are safe to drive. Hyundai “strongly urges owners of these vehicles to park their cars outside and away from homes and other structures until their vehicles have been repaired,” NHTSA said in a news release posted on the agency’s website.

Other Safety Risks for Hyundai Owners

These kinds of recalls have become all too routine for Hyundai and other major vehicle manufacturers.

The company recently announced that it is recalling some 240,000 vehicles whose seat belts could malfunction and explode, for example. That could injure occupants and cause accidents, Hyundai acknowledged.

Hyundai also recently announced it was recalling some 26,000 vehicles whose windshields could detach in the event of a crash, also increasing the risk of injuries. The company said around the same time that it was also calling back 700 Santa Fe sport utility vehicles whose instrument panels were installed upside down.

California Car Owners’ Legal Rights

Fortunately, car owners and lessors in California have some valuable protections under the state’s lemon law. They do not have to wait around for a recall to get a malfunctioning vehicle fixed.

The California lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back vehicles that they are unable or flat-out refuse to fix. That means compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, as well as financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.