Hyundai Motor America is recalling 180,000 2019-2021 Tucson SUVs because the Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control unit could corrode and cause an engine compartment fire. An electrical short in the ABS module increases the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. There are at least 12 known fires in the US thus far.
In the required NHTSA filing, Hyundai said it recommends parking these vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. Hyundai plans to notify owners to instruct them to return their vehicles to a dealership for replacement of the ABS module “when available.”
Flux residue from the soldering process at the supplier could accumulate on the ABS module’s main controller board (PCB). With exposure to heat and humidity, the residue could result in a corrosive path and an electrical resistance short. Hyundai is still evaluating this safety defect. Based on analysis of units involved in fires, Hyundai believes that a quality control deficiency exists in some vehicles. Vehicles subject to the recall will have the recovered HECU returned to an engineering firm for an engineering evaluation and review to identify and verify issues.
The safety defect will be repaired at no charge as is necessary under US regulations. Hyundai will provide reimbursement to owners for repairs. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2020.
Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 195. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Hyundai Recalls 2019-2021 Tucson SUVs for Fires
Hyundai Motor America is recalling 180,000 2019-2021 Tucson SUVs because the Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control unit could corrode and cause an engine compartment fire. An electrical short in the ABS module increases the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. There are at least 12 known fires in the US thus far.
In the required NHTSA filing, Hyundai said it recommends parking these vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. Hyundai plans to notify owners to instruct them to return their vehicles to a dealership for replacement of the ABS module “when available.”
Flux residue from the soldering process at the supplier could accumulate on the ABS module’s main controller board (PCB). With exposure to heat and humidity, the residue could result in a corrosive path and an electrical resistance short. Hyundai is still evaluating this safety defect. Based on analysis of units involved in fires, Hyundai believes that a quality control deficiency exists in some vehicles. Vehicles subject to the recall will have the recovered HECU returned to an engineering firm for an engineering evaluation and review to identify and verify issues.
The safety defect will be repaired at no charge as is necessary under US regulations. Hyundai will provide reimbursement to owners for repairs. The recall is expected to begin October 30, 2020.
Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 195. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.