Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 2021-2023 Elantra hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), according to a required filing just released by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released. Almost 40,000 Elantra hybrids have a speed control safety defect. (AutoInformed: Hyundai Fire Recalls – Palisade, Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, Kona; Kia Soul, Sportage, Seltos)
The motor control unit (“MCU”) software may detect a transmission/drive motor synchronization fault while driving triggering a “fail-safe” condition that temporarily results in slow, unintended acceleration after release of the brake pedal. Service brake functionality is unaffected and remains fully operational.
Dealers will update the motor control unit software, free of charge as required by US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 17 October 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 248. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 23V589.
Hyundai Elantra hybrid vehicles produced by Hyundai Motor Company for sale in the US market from 15 December 2020 until 29 July 2023 are affected. Hyundai has received twenty-four (24) reports dated from 5 October 2021 through 16 June 2023 alleging unintended acceleration in the subject vehicles. There are no confirmed crashes, fires, or injuries related to the subject defect condition in the U.S
“Owners can continue driving these vehicles as the vehicle’s brake systems are fully operational and effective in slowing the vehicle. As an added level of protection, all affected vehicles are equipped with brake override systems as a standard feature. All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer to update the logic in the Motor Control Unit (“MCU”). This remedy will be offered at no cost to owners for all affected vehicles, regardless of whether the affected vehicles are still covered under Hyundai’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Additionally, Hyundai will provide owners of affected vehicles reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred to obtain a remedy for the recall condition in accordance with the reimbursement plan submitted to NHTSA on February 24, 2022,” Hyundai said in the filing.
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.
Unintended Acceleration Recalls on Elantra Hybrids
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 2021-2023 Elantra hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), according to a required filing just released by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A software error in the motor control unit may cause unintended vehicle acceleration after the brake pedal is released. Almost 40,000 Elantra hybrids have a speed control safety defect. (AutoInformed: Hyundai Fire Recalls – Palisade, Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, Kona; Kia Soul, Sportage, Seltos)
The motor control unit (“MCU”) software may detect a transmission/drive motor synchronization fault while driving triggering a “fail-safe” condition that temporarily results in slow, unintended acceleration after release of the brake pedal. Service brake functionality is unaffected and remains fully operational.
Dealers will update the motor control unit software, free of charge as required by US regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 17 October 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 248. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 23V589.
Hyundai Elantra hybrid vehicles produced by Hyundai Motor Company for sale in the US market from 15 December 2020 until 29 July 2023 are affected. Hyundai has received twenty-four (24) reports dated from 5 October 2021 through 16 June 2023 alleging unintended acceleration in the subject vehicles. There are no confirmed crashes, fires, or injuries related to the subject defect condition in the U.S
“Owners can continue driving these vehicles as the vehicle’s brake systems are fully operational and effective in slowing the vehicle. As an added level of protection, all affected vehicles are equipped with brake override systems as a standard feature. All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer to update the logic in the Motor Control Unit (“MCU”). This remedy will be offered at no cost to owners for all affected vehicles, regardless of whether the affected vehicles are still covered under Hyundai’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Additionally, Hyundai will provide owners of affected vehicles reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred to obtain a remedy for the recall condition in accordance with the reimbursement plan submitted to NHTSA on February 24, 2022,” Hyundai said in the filing.
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.