Hyundai Motor Company has announced a major recall involving more than 200,000 vehicles due to potential rearview camera malfunctions. The issue affects several popular models, including the Santa Fe and Elantra, spanning multiple model years.
The Issue
The root cause of the problem lies in defective circuit boards within the rearview cameras. These circuit boards reportedly have insufficient solder joints that are prone to cracking over time.
This defect could lead to complete camera failure, posing a risk to drivers. While the issue might not seem immediately hazardous, it violates the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 111, which mandates adequate rear visibility for vehicles.
Affected Vehicles
The recall targets the following Hyundai models:
2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe (Standard and Hybrid variants)
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid
2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra
2022 Hyundai Elantra N
The Fix
Hyundai has pledged to resolve the issue by replacing the faulty rearview cameras with updated units equipped with improved circuit board designs.
Vehicle owners affected by this recall will receive notifications starting in January 2025. Hyundai dealerships will provide the necessary repairs free of charge, and customers can schedule appointments for a convenient repair timeline.
Hyundai’s Recall Record in 2024
This recall marks the largest for Hyundai in 2024. Earlier in the year, the company recalled over 186,000 Elantras due to defective trunk release latches.
In another significant move, Hyundai recalled over 145,000 electric vehicles, including the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Genesis models, to address a potential problem with the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU).
Although these figures highlight Hyundai’s ongoing challenges, the automaker’s recalls remain modest compared to the large-scale recalls by Stellantis and Ford. Both American manufacturers have dealt with recalls affecting millions of vehicles, dwarfing Hyundai’s numbers.
Conclusion
Hyundai’s proactive recall emphasizes its commitment to safety compliance and customer satisfaction. Owners of the affected models are encouraged to act promptly once notified to ensure their vehicles meet the required safety standards. This incident highlights the importance of thorough quality checks to prevent such issues in the future.
