— More than 135,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs are being recalled because they could catch fire in a crash.
The recall affects 2024-2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with B+ positive terminal covers on the starter motor assemblies that may not be installed properly.
This can cause an electrical short and lead to a fire if the engine compartment is deformed by a car accident.
Hyundai says the starter motor cover may not fit properly over the B+ terminal, allowing the exposed terminal to make contact with the cooling fan. This is what can cause a short circuit.
Hyundai discovered the problem in November 2024 during a front-end crash test of the 2024 Santa Fe, but smoke came from the engine compartment after the test.
Engineers conducted bench tests in an attempt to replicate the short circuit problem and were successful. This showed that an exposed starter motor terminal could be making contact with the cooling fan motor housing.
A vehicle survey found that the starter motor terminal covers were not installed correctly, but Hyundai received no crash or injury reports.
Hyundai Santa Fe recall letters will be mailed on December 1, 2025, and dealers will reinstall the starter covers if necessary.
Hyundai Santa Fe owners can contact Hyundai at 855-371-9460 and ask about starter motor cover recall number 285.
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