Hyundai is recalling 42,000+ Santa Cruz and Tucson vehicles due to a wiring defect that could cause rollaway incidents.

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Hyundai Motor North America has issued a significant recall affecting over 42,000 vehicles in the United States.

The recall cites a wiring defect that poses a safety hazard.

This issue affects the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and Hyundai Tucson models, both of which have been found to have transmissions that can unexpectedly shift out of “park” without requiring the brake pedal to be applied, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The recall, announced on Wednesday, encompasses 35,500 Tucson SUVs and 6,900 Santa Cruz pickup-SUV hybrids.

While the defect is estimated to affect only 1% of the vehicles, the consequences could be severe, including potential rollaway incidents that increase the risk of crashes or injuries.

What Models Are Impacted?

Model	Estimated Units Recalled	Starting Retail Price
Hyundai Tucson	35,500	$28,000+
Hyundai Santa Cruz	6,900	$33,000+

Both models are equipped with advanced features, and the Tucson line also includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants slated for release later this fall.

The recall currently excludes these upcoming models and remains unclear if the defect might impact future variants.

What Should Vehicle Owners Do?

The NHTSA has reassured owners that the vehicles are safe to drive if additional precautions are taken.

Recommendation: Always engage the parking brake when parking the vehicle to avoid unintended movement.
Repair Details: Dealers will reroute the console extension wiring assembly free of charge.

How to Confirm If Your Vehicle Is Affected

Contact Hyundai Customer Care: Call 1-800-633-5151 for assistance.
Visit Hyundai’s Recall Page: Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on Hyundai’s official recall page to check if your car is part of this recall.

Affected owners will receive official notification via mail starting January 19, 2025.

If your vehicle is impacted, contact your local Hyundai dealership for early assistance.

How Was the Issue Discovered?

The defect was first identified in late October when Hyundai’s North American Safety Office (NASO) received a report of a 2025 Tucson in a corporate fleet moving without driver intervention.

By early November, further investigations revealed that the wiring issue was not isolated and affected the Santa Cruz models.

Following a safety review on November 13, Hyundai initiated the recall.

Encouragingly, Hyundai has confirmed that no injuries, deaths, crashes, or fires have been reported related to this defect in vehicles already sold.

A Broader Trend of Recalls

This recall is part of a more significant trend for Hyundai, which has faced scrutiny over safety issues in recent years.

The company recently recalled over 145,000 electric vehicles, including the Genesis GV60 and the IONIQ 6 (2023–2025 models).

The problem with these vehicles was traced to integrated charging control units (ICCU) that could become damaged, halting battery charging.

Measures Taken for the ICCU Recall:

Dealers are inspecting and replacing the ICCU and fuse as needed.
The ICCU software is being updated.
All repairs are conducted free of charge.

Why Are Recalls Increasing?

As vehicles rely more on advanced technology, safety issues are becoming more complex and frequent.

Features like autonomous driving, hybrid systems, and electric charging require intricate wiring and software, increasing the likelihood of manufacturing defects.

This trend underscores the importance of rigorous quality checks and robust recall systems for driver safety.