Breaking: Hyundai has recalled over 135,386 Santa Fe SUVs for major real fire risk. This has got every Santa Fe SUV owner checking their VINs right now.
Here’s what went down: during routine crash testing last November, NHTSA engineers literally watched smoke start billowing from a test vehicle’s engine compartment. Not exactly what you want to see during safety evaluations.
What’s Actually Going Wrong Here?
Major problem is in the B+ positive terminal cover located on the starter motor which was not properly seated during assembling process at Hyundai’s Alabama plant.
Sounds technical, but the consequences are pretty straightforward – if this cover shifts around during a crash, it can make contact with the cooling fan assembly and create an electrical short circuit. And when electricity starts arcing where it shouldn’t be, fires can happen.
The scary part is that this issue was discovered during NHTSA’s standard frontal crash test program. Engineers noticed smoke coming from the engine bay of a 2024 Santa Fe test vehicle, which obviously raised some red flags. That single incident has caused this recall, we all should thankful to the NHTSA,s crash test.
Which Vehicles Are Actually Affected?
This recall includes 2.5L Turbo models with 2024-2025 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs. All of these vehicles produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama between December 28, 2023, and July 7, 2025.
However, not all the vehicles produced their are affected. Only about 1% of these 135,000+ vehicles actually have misplaced covers which means is like about 1,300 SUVs driving around with this defect.
As of now, there’s been just one confirmed field report from November 2024 showing signs of a thermal event. No crashes, injuries, or fatalities have been linked to this issue in the US, but Hyundai isn’t taking any chances.
What Santa Fe Owners Need to Do Right Now?
If you own a 2024 or 2025 Santa Fe, you’re not stuck waiting around wondering if your vehicle is affected. Hyundai’s got multiple ways for you to check:
- Call their customer service line at 855-371-9460 and mention recall number 285
- Punch your VIN into NHTSA.gov/recalls Download the SaferCar app for your phone
- Check Hyundai’s official recall site at autoservice.hyundaiusa.com
Official notification letters will start hitting mailboxes by December 1, 2025. The fix itself is pretty straightforward – dealers will inspect the starter motor terminal cover and reinstall it properly if needed. Best part?
