Hyundai recalls 94,622 Genesis cars over fire risk: park outside
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Hyundai is recalling 94,622 Genesis sedans in the US.
- A front seat switch can stick and overheat.
- Owners must park outside until the free fix is ready.
Hyundai is recalling 94,622 Genesis cars in the United States. The recall notice went out this week. The cars may catch fire, so owners must park them outside for now.
What happened
The recall covers two groups of cars. The first group is 54,644 Hyundai Genesis sedans from 2015 and 2016. The second group is 39,978 Genesis G80 sedans from 2017 to 2020.
The two groups add up to 94,622 cars. They are much the same car. Hyundai renamed the Genesis as the G80 in 2017.
The fault sits in the front power seats. These seats move with small electric motors. A small switch tells each motor when to move.
The switch can break or come loose. A hard knock can damage it. Then the switch can stay stuck in the on spot.
A stuck switch keeps the motor running. The motor keeps working even after the driver leaves the car. Over time, the motor gets too hot.
A motor that is too hot can start a fire. The fire can start while the car is parked. It can also start while the car is on the road.
The recall covers cars with one type of seat. The seats have no memory setting. Cars with memory seats are not in the recall.
The fault can grow worse with time. Each use of the switch adds heat. A motor that runs for hours can get very hot.
Hyundai says it knows of two fires linked to this fault. The fires took place in the United States. There have been no crashes or injuries from the fault as of October 1.
Hyundai thinks only a small share of the cars has the fault. It puts that share at 1%. That is about 946 cars out of 94,622.
Why it matters
A fire can start when no one is near the car. A parked car can burn in a garage. It can also set fire to other cars or a home.
That is why the park outside advice matters. A car parked outside is far from walls and roofs. It is also far from other cars.
The warning signs are easy to spot. You may smell something burning in the car. Your seat controls may stop working.
If you spot these signs, act fast. Move the car outside if it is safe to do so. Call your dealer and ask what to do next.
This recall also shows how one small part can cause a big risk. A switch is a cheap part. But a stuck switch can heat a motor for hours.
A recall is a free safety fix. The car maker must fix the fault. Owners do not pay for the work.
The risk is low for each single car. Only 1% of the cars may have the fault. But the harm from a fire is high, so the recall covers all 94,622 cars.
What happens next
There is no fix yet. Hyundai is still working on the repair. The repair will be free when it is ready.
Owners will get a letter in the mail. The letter is set to go out in December 2026. It will tell owners what to do next.
Keep the letter when it comes. It will have your next steps. Keep a note of the recall numbers too.
You do not have to wait for the letter. You can check your car now. You need your VIN, which is your car's ID number.
Type your VIN into the search tool on the NHTSA site. NHTSA is the US road safety agency. It will tell you if your car is part of the recall.
You can also call Hyundai for help. The number is 1-855-371-9460. Give them recall number 308 or 035G.
When the fix is ready, take your car to a dealer. A Hyundai dealer or a Genesis store can do the work. The work will not cost you money.
If you own a used Genesis, check it too. Check if your car has had an accident. A recall check is one more step that keeps you safe.
If you plan to buy a used Genesis, take care. Read our guide to buying a used car without getting scammed. It shows the checks to run before you pay.
Heat is a warning sign in any car. A car that overheats on the motorway needs fast care too. Stop in a safe place and get help.
For now, the key steps are simple. Park outside and check your VIN. Then wait for the free fix.
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