WASHINGTON — Hyundai Motor America is recalling nearly 568,000 pickups and crossovers in the U.S. that are potentially equipped with trailer harness modules that could catch fire.
The recall covers 2019-23 Santa Fe midsize crossovers, including 2021-23 hybrids and 2022-23 plug-in hybrids, as well as 2022-23 Santa Cruz compact pickups.
Hyundai is advising owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until a repair is completed.
Those vehicles might be equipped with an accessory tow hitch assembly available for purchase through Hyundai or a dealership.
"Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire," according to a recall report made public Thursday.
The automaker told NHTSA it was aware of six incidents potentially related to the faulty component in the U.S., including one report of fire and five reports of thermal damage isolated to the trailer harness module. There were no confirmed crashes or injuries related to the issue, Hyundai said.
A Hyundai spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Korean auto supplier Segi makes the tow hitch module and wiring harness, according to the recall report.
As an interim repair, dealers will inspect the module and remove the fuse as necessary. Once the final repair is available, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit.
Dealers and owners will be notified starting May 16.
So far this year, Hyundai has issued six recalls affecting more than 843,000 U.S. vehicles, according to NHTSA data.
Sibling company Kia America also is recalling about 3,500 Carnival minivans for the same issue. The automaker told NHTSA there have not been any fires, injuries, crashes or deaths. The tow hitch harness supplier for the Kia vehicles is Mobis Parts America, according to the recall report.
