Hyundai Recalls 215,000 Sonatas, Faulty Hoses Can Leak Fuel

Hyundai Recalls 215,000 Sonatas, Faulty Hoses Can Leak Fuel
The Hyundai logo shines off the grille of an unsold vehicle at a Hyundai dealership in Littleton, Colo., on Sept. 12, 2021. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)
The Associated Press
5/11/2022
Updated:
5/11/2022

DETROIT—Hyundai is recalling more than 215,000 midsize cars in the United States—most for a second time—because fuel hoses can leak in the engine compartment and cause fires.

The recall covers certain 2013 and 2014 Sonata sedans, many of which were recalled for the same problem in 2020.

The Korean automaker says in documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators that a low pressure fuel hose can crack over time due to heat from the engine. That can cause fuel leaks and increase the risk of a fire.

In the 2020 recall, dealers inspected the hoses and replaced them if they were damaged. If not, heat-resistant tape was installed. This time all of the faulty hoses will be replaced.

Hyundai says in documents that it has 138 reports of problems in the United States, but no confirmed crashes, fires, or injuries.

Owners will be notified starting July 5.

The new recall comes after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stepped up a series of investigations into engine compartment fires that have plagued Hyundai and related automaker Kia.

In December, the agency consolidated two investigations from 2017 into a new a new engineering analysis covering more than 3 million vehicles from the 2011 through 2016 model years. At the time, NHTSA had received 161 complaints of engine fires, some of which occurred in vehicles that had already been recalled.