Hyundai Says Some of its Cars Are Equipped with Upside Down Instrument Panels

Car recalls are often serious and even frightening matters when you think of just how many vehicles are roaming the streets with serious defects. Other times, you just have to shake your head at how little carmakers put into craftsmanship these days.

Hyundai is recalling just over 700 Santa Fe sport utility vehicles whose instrument panels were installed upside down. That likely makes the panel’s LCD screens illegible, in violation of federal standards, the company recently told regulators.

“The instrument panel (“IP”) cluster liquid-crystal display (“LCD”) in the subject vehicles may have been produced with incorrect resistors resulting in the possibility of an inverted image of associated controls, gauges, and telltale indicators upon startup of the vehicle at extremely low temperatures,” Hyundai said in a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Certain controls, gauges, and telltale indicators could, if illegible, increase the risk of a crash or injury,” Hyundai added.

The recall covers certain 2022 Santa Fe hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Hyundai said it planned to notify owners by the end of February, asking them to bring their cars to a local dealer for a fix.

Defective Car? Know Your Rights

Car recalls are far too common across the country and around the globe. Major car manufacturers call back millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of defects that put everyone on the road at risk.

Hyundai and subsidiary Kia, for example, have recalled some 1.5 million vehicles in recent years over a rash of engine problems and reports of related car fires. The companies are now subject to a federal investigation over their handling of the problem.

Fortunately, car owners in California do not need to wait for a recall to get their vehicles fixed. The California lemon law gives you a number of important rights and options.

The Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act forces carmakers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also requires manufacturers to buy back (or, in some cases, replace) vehicles that they cannot or refuse to properly fix.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must be made in order for the buyback or replace requirement to kick in. That is one reason why it is vital to seek the advice of a seasoned lemon law lawyer. The law obligates the manufacturer to pick up the tab for any legal fees that you incur while enforcing your rights.

A Los Angeles lemon law attorney at our firm can help you take action and enforce your rights.

Speak with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney

If you are stuck with a lemon or locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over repairs, the Los Angeles lemon law attorneys at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. 

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