December 24, 2024

Hyundai recalls 471K more SUVs, tells owners to park outside

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai is adding about 471,000 SUVs to a September U.S. recall for an electrical short in a computer that could cause fires. And the company is warning owners to park the SUVs outdoors until they are repaired.

The latest recall covers certain model-year 2016 through 2018, and additional 2020 through 2021, Hyundai Tucson SUVs. The vehicles have antilock brake system computers that can malfunction internally and cause an electrical short. That can lead to a fire.

Tucsons equipped with Hyundai’s Smart Cruise Control feature are not being recalled.

Hyundai said Jan. 8 that the recall comes as part of a continuing investigation into the problem. The company said it’s aware of a dozen fires, but no injuries related to the recalled vehicles.

Owners will be notified in late February to take their SUVs to a dealer, which will replace a fuse on the computer. They can key in their vehicle identification number at http:www.hyundaiUSA.com/recalls to see if their vehicles are affected.

In September, the South Korean automaker recalled about 180,000 Tucson SUVs in the United States from 2019 through 2021 to fix the same problem. The company said corrosion can cause a short circuit in defective anti-lock brake circuit boards that can cause a fire even if engines are off.