Hyundai Santa Fe Recall: Fire Risk Affects 135,300 SUVs; How to Verify Your Vehicle

Hyundai has issued a major recall affecting 135,386 Santa Fe SUVs built between December 28, 2023, and July 7, 2025. The recall, which impacts 2024 and 2025 model-year vehicles fitted with the 2.5-liter turbocharged gas engine, is related to a starter motor assembly flaw. Specifically, the B+ terminal cover on the starter motor may not have been installed properly, creating a risk of electrical short in certain crash scenarios.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue was first detected during NCAP frontal crash tests, when engineers observed smoke emerging from the engine compartment. Hyundai subsequently replicated the problem under controlled conditions, confirming that contact between the exposed terminal and the cooling fan could lead to an electrical short, and in extreme cases, a fire. The automaker stressed that no field incidents, crashes, injuries, or fatalities have been reported so far.Owner Remedies and Dealer ActionHyundai dealers will inspect all affected Santa Fe vehicles and reinstall the starter motor terminal cover at no cost to owners. Notifications to vehicle owners are scheduled to begin December 1. Customers seeking immediate clarification are encouraged to call Hyundai at 855-371-9460 (recall number 285) or check their VIN on the NHTSA website. Hyundai emphasised the importance of addressing the recall promptly to mitigate potential safety risks.This recall adds to a busy year for automakers managing vehicle safety concerns. Ford has set record numbers for recalls, while other manufacturers like Nissan, BMW, and Chevrolet have issued fire-risk alerts affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Hyundai itself has faced several recalls in 2025, including a massive Palisade seatbelt issue impacting over 568,000 vehicles and smaller fire-risk recalls for both the Palisade and Ioniq 5 N models. Safety advocates stress that these recalls, though disruptive, are critical for preventing potential hazards on the road.