Hyundai Recalls Cars for Fire Risk After Inconsistent Repairs

Hyundai is recalling over 10,000 2017 and 2018 Ioniq hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles for the second time because dealers may not have properly fixed a hybrid powertrain component that could catch fire.

Hyundai recalled these specific vehicles for the first time in October 2018, but four vehicles caught fire after dealers said they had completed the recall repairs. After further investigation, Hyundai found that some dealers had not done the recall repair properly and that faulty parts had not been replaced, according to documents the automaker provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Safety Recall Report from NHTSA is accessible here.

Vehicles recalled: 10,575 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid hatchbacks manufactured between Nov. 16, 2017, and Aug. 16, 2017, and Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid hatchbacks manufactured between Aug. 10, 2017, and Aug. 11, 2017.

The problem: Due to a manufacturing error, an electrical contact located below the rear seat may overheat and cause a fire. These electrical contacts should have been inspected and, if necessary, replaced during a prior recall campaign (NHTSA 18V704 or Hyundai 178), but four repaired vehicles caught fire. During an investigation, Hyundai found that the faulty components had not been replaced on these vehicles, despite repair histories indicating that recall repairs had been done.

The fix: Hyundai dealerships will inspect and replace the faulty part, known as the power relay assembly, or PRA, as necessary, free of charge.

How to contact the manufacturer: Owners may call Hyundai at 855-371-9460. The company will mail notification letters to owners in late August.

NHTSA campaign number: 22V459. Hyundai’s own number for this recall is 232. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 18V704 (Hyundai 178). Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall need to have the new remedy completed.