Hyundai has issued a recall for over 51,000 Tucson SUVs due to a fire risk stemming from improperly installed trailer wiring harnesses, federal safety regulators announced this week.
The recall affects 51,587 Tucson vehicles from model years 2022 through 2024 that were equipped with an optional OEM trailer wiring harness. According to documentation from Hyundai Motor America, the harnesses may have been installed incorrectly, allowing water to seep into the control module. This water intrusion can lead to a cascade of problems — from trailer lighting failures to potentially dangerous electrical shorts.
What’s the Risk?
The defect creates multiple hazards for drivers. When water penetrates the control module, it can cause trailer lights to malfunction, increasing crash risk for those towing trailers. More alarmingly, the electrical shorts can lead to overheating, melting, and in worst-case scenarios, vehicle fires — even when the vehicle is parked with the engine off.
Hyundai estimates the defect rate at approximately 1%, but isn’t taking chances with consumer safety. The affected vehicles were produced by both Hyundai Motor Company and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
The problem specifically involves the Mobis tow hitch wiring harness that was available as either a port-installed or dealer-installed option, reports indicate. Water intrusion can cause not only trailer lighting to fail but also potentially affect the vehicle’s brake lights, creating an additional safety concern.
Not Tucson’s First Rodeo
This isn’t the first time Tucson models have faced fire-related recalls. The current issue represents yet another challenge for the popular SUV line, though it’s limited to those vehicles specifically equipped with the optional trailer wiring package.
Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by Hyundai, and the company has confirmed that all repairs will be completed free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealerships. The fix will likely involve proper sealing or replacement of the affected components to prevent water intrusion.
Concerned Tucson owners don’t need to wait for official notification. Hyundai has made it relatively straightforward to check if your vehicle is included in this or any other recall. The company offers a VIN lookup tool through its website where owners can verify if their vehicle requires attention.
The timing couldn’t be worse for many owners as holiday travel season approaches. Those planning to tow trailers with affected vehicles should pay particular attention to this recall, as both the fire risk and potential lighting failures present significant safety hazards on busy highways.
Safety advocates note that prompt attention to recall notices is crucial. “When dealing with potential fire hazards, there’s simply no reason to delay getting repairs done,” one industry expert told me. “Especially when those repairs are covered by the manufacturer.”
Hyundai’s recall documentation indicates that the company is taking the issue seriously, with the potential consequences ranging from minor electrical malfunctions to much more serious thermal events.
Still, this represents just one of dozens of recalls issued across the automotive industry this year. Modern vehicles’ increasing complexity and reliance on electrical systems have created new challenges for manufacturers trying to ensure safety across their product lines.
For now, affected Tucson owners would be wise to schedule service appointments promptly — because when it comes to potential fire risks, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
