WASHINGTON: Hyundai Motor Company is recalling more than 54,000 hybrid vehicles in the United States due to a potential fire risk caused by overheating components, federal regulators said Thursday.
The recall affects certain model year 2024 to 2026 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NHTSA said the hybrid power control unit can overheat under high electrical loads, potentially causing affected vehicles to fail to start or enter a reduced-power mode.
The agency added that in some cases, the overheating “could lead to localized thermal damage to the assembly and internal components,” increasing the risk of a vehicle fire if left unresolved.
Dealers will update the affected software free of charge, the recall notice states.
No injuries or crashes linked to the defect have been reported.
According to reports, the issue centers on the vehicle’s Hybrid Power Control Unit, which can rapidly overheat during sustained highway driving in peak summer heat or heavy stop-and-go commuting. If thermal limits are breached, the vehicle may trigger a fail-safe mode, resulting in sudden loss of power or failure to restart.
Extreme overheating can cause localized thermal damage to internal electronic components, raising the risk of an engine bay fire.
Hyundai plans to notify affected drivers with instructions on arranging repairs through authorized dealerships.
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The recall follows a separate Hyundai recall of two of its most popular models and comes as global automakers face heightened scrutiny over hybrid and electric vehicle safety systems, particularly regarding overheating batteries and electrical components. The Elantra Hybrid line was previously recalled in August 2023 for motor control software issues.
