The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·16V842000·Announced 2016-11-21

Hyundai Recalls Tucson and Santa Fe for Trailer Hitch Wiring Defect

Hyundai is recalling 2016-2017 Tucson and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles because a trailer hitch wiring malfunction may cause brake lights to stay on, confusing other drivers.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where the malfunction increases the risk of a crash, but no injuries or fatalities have been reported in the source text.

Plain-English summary

Hyundai Motor America is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured between May 19, 2015, and November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured between November 28, 2015, and November 14, 2016. The recall involves an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that may malfunction, causing the trailer brake lights to remain constantly illuminated. This condition causes the vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108 regarding lamps and reflective devices.

If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while the vehicle is in use, other drivers may be confused, which increases the risk of a crash. The defect is specific to the accessory trailer hitch wiring harness and the tow hitch module.

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses free of charge. The recall was expected to begin on January 13, 2017. Owners can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
HYUNDAI TUCSON, SANTA FE
Brand
HYUNDAI
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Category
Vehicle — SUV
Hazard
Affected units
6,172

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (2)

  • TUCSON
  • SANTA FE

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same brand · HYUNDAI

Same manufacturer · Hyundai Motor America

See all →

Same hazard · crash risk

See all →

Similar recalls