Hyundai is recalling more than 135,300 Santa Fe SUVs that may have an increased risk of catching fire during a crash, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). An improperly installed cover on the starter motor on certain 2024 and 2025 Sante Fe SUVs is to blame.
The issue only affects nonhybrid Santa Fe models, all of which are equipped with Hyundai's turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. According to the NHTSA documents, the starter motor in affected cars may have been produced with a cover that wasn't fully seated over the "B+" terminal. Depending on the severity of the crash, if the engine compartment becomes deformed in the wrong way, the uncovered terminal could come in contact with the cooling fan assembly, leading to an electrical short and potentially starting a fire.
At the time of filing the recall, Hyundai reported that it was aware of one New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) test that resulted in a fire. The automaker is otherwise unaware of any incidents involving the issue in the field.
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