Hyundai Motor America has announced a safety recall for 94,622 vehicles in the United States due to a potential fire hazard involving powered front seats. Filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under campaign number 26V664000, the recall affects specific model years of the Hyundai Genesis and Genesis G80 sedans.
The safety defect stems from the slider and height adjustment controls on non-memory powered front seats. Federal documents show these control switches can become dislodged or damaged by an external force. This can leave a switch stuck in the engaged position, causing the seat adjustment motor to run continuously even after occupants leave the vehicle.
Affected Vehicles and Defect Details
The recall covers two major model lines totaling nearly 95,000 units in the United States. Hyundai estimates that about 1% of the recalled vehicles actually contain the physical defect.
- 2015-2016 Hyundai Genesis: 54,644 vehicles affected
- 2017-2020 Genesis G80: 39,978 vehicles affected
The NHTSA warns that continuous motor operation creates excessive heat inside the seat assembly. This overheating raises the risk of a vehicle fire, which can happen while driving or when the car is parked with the ignition off.
Warning Signs and Safety Precautions
Federal regulators and Hyundai have identified two key warning signs of a fault in the power seat control system:
- Seat adjustment switches that stop working
- An unusual burning smell inside the vehicle cabin
Hyundai is still developing the final repair procedure. Until a fix is ready, the NHTSA advises owners of affected vehicles to park outdoors. Cars should be kept away from structures, other vehicles, and flammable materials.
Investigation History and Next Steps
Hyundai began investigating the issue in December 2021 through its internal Speak Up For Safety reporting system. Component recoveries and engineering reviews throughout 2023 and 2025-alongside an overheating incident in South Korea in July 2026-led to the official U.S. recall.
Hyundai knows of two fire incidents linked to this defect in the United States. No crashes or injuries have been reported as of October 1, 2026.
Official owner notification letters will mail out starting December 7, 2026. Owners can check if their vehicle is included right now. Enter the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) into the NHTSA recall lookup tool or contact an authorized Hyundai or Genesis dealership. Once the remedy is ready, all recall repairs will be free at authorized dealerships.
