2016 Hyundai Genesis
Image credit: Hyundai
Hyundai is telling owners of nearly 95,000 Genesis cars to park outside because a power seat motor can overheat and ignite. The recall filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) covers model year 2015–2016 Hyundai Genesis cars, sold before Genesis became its own luxury brand, and model year 2017–2020 Genesis G80 cars.
Hyundai is still working on a repair for the defect.
The problem centers on the switch used on non-memory power seats (seats without saved position presets) to slide the front seat back and forth and adjust the height. If that switch is dislodged or damaged, it can stay engaged and keep the seat motor running after the person in the seat has left the car. Hyundai says the nonstop operation can overheat the motor and cause a fire, even when the car is parked.
The company estimates about 1% of the recalled cars have the defect and knows of two alleged fires in the U.S., with no reports of crashes or injuries. Hyundai says owners should be on the lookout for two warning signs: a burning odor from the seat and a seat control switch that no longer works.
Hyundai’s chronology shows it first became aware of the issue in December 2021, through a Speak Up For Safety report on a 2018 Genesis G80, and learned of a second case in August 2022. It determined an external impact had damaged the switch in the second vehicle and took no additional action. The company changed course when it received information in July of this year from South Korea about alleged overheating events in the Korean market, issuing the recall on Oct. 1.
Repairs will be free under the recall, regardless of whether a car is still under warranty. Owners will be notified by mail in early December with details on the recall.
Affected Hyundai Genesis cars were built between February 21, 2014, and February 24, 2016, and G80 cars between March 17, 2016, and November 7, 2019. Owners can enter their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether their car is included.
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