The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·24V583000·Announced 2024-08-07

2024 Hyundai Sonata Brake Light Software Flaw Increases Crash Risk

Hyundai is recalling 38,331 2024 Sonata vehicles for a brake light software defect that may cause lights to flash or fail to illuminate. This increases crash risk by confusing other drivers about vehicle movements.

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: This recall involves a safety-critical vehicle system (brake lights) with potential for crashes if lights fail to illuminate, but no injuries or accidents have been reported. Per the rubric, when the hazard is theoretical without documented incidents, the score is at most 3 (High).

Plain-English summary

Hyundai Motor America is recalling certain 2024 Hyundai Sonata vehicles for a brake light software defect. The vehicle software may cause the brake lights to flash and not illuminate properly, failing to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108 for lamps and lighting equipment.

When brake lights fail to illuminate or flash improperly, other drivers may not receive the correct signal that the vehicle is braking. This increases the risk of confusion and crashes, as other motorists depend on functioning brake lights to anticipate vehicle movements and maintain safe distances.

Approximately 38,331 vehicles are affected by this recall. Hyundai dealers will update the brake light software at no cost to owners. The software update is also available over-the-air (OTA). Owner notification letters were mailed on September 12, 2024. Vehicle owners can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 for more information or to schedule the update.

For additional information, owners can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

The recalled product

Product
HYUNDAI SONATA
Brand
HYUNDAI
Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor America
Category
Vehicle — Exterior Lighting
Hazard
Affected units
38,331

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 (1)

  • SONATA

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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