Hyundai Santa Cruz and Santa Fe recalled for tow hitch fire hazard
Hyundai is recalling 2019-2023 Santa Fe and related variants plus 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles equipped with tow hitch harnesses. Water accumulation in the harness module may cause electrical short and fire.
What this means for you
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 defect—electrical fire from water accumulation in the tow hitch harness—without reported injuries or actual fire incidents. The hazard is serious but theoretical, placing it at the High severity level.
Plain-English summary
Hyundai Motor America is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV, and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles that came equipped with a tow hitch harness as original equipment or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership.
The tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) can accumulate water, which may cause an electrical short. This short can result in a fire while the vehicle is parked or driving.
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit at no cost. Hyundai began sending owner notification letters starting May 16, 2023. Owners can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 for more information or to schedule service.
The recalled product
- Product
- 2022 HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ
- Brand
- HYUNDAI
- Manufacturer
- Hyundai Motor America
- Category
- Vehicle — Tow Hitch / Electrical
- Hazard
- fire
- electrical-short
- Affected units
- 584,784
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 (4)
- SANTA CRUZ
- SANTA FE HYBRID
- SANTA FE PLUG-IN HYBRID
- SANTA FE
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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