Automotive
Hyundai is recalling 85,043 Sonata sedans because their fuel tanks can actually deform and, in extreme cases, melt if things go fallacious under the automobile. The recall covers 2020 through 2023 Sonata models equipped with the nonhybrid 1.6 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder, while hybrid Sonatas with the two.0 liter turbo powertrain aren’t included. At the middle of the issue is a faulty purge control check valve that may allow compressed air to pressurize the fuel tank. If the tank swells enough, it may possibly push into nearby exhaust components, which brings serious fire risk into play.
The symptoms aren’t subtle in case you know what to listen and search for. Hyundai and federal safety regulators say affected owners may hear a pop from the rear of the automobile because the tank distorts, smell fuel across the vehicle, see a warning light come on, and even experience a no start condition if the system is unhappy enough. To this point, Hyundai has logged seven fuel tank leak incidents within the U.S. and Canada tied to this defect, but thankfully there have been no crashes, injuries, or fires reported.
If this sounds familiar, it should. As we recently covered, Kia has issued an almost similar recall for greater than 250,000 K5 sedans for a similar purge control system check valve defect, which might cause those cars’ tanks to swell and melt as well. The Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 ride on the identical underlying N3 platform and share the 1.6 liter turbocharged engine, so it will not be surprising to see each sedans pulled back for a similar fix. Together, the 2 recalls sweep up greater than 335,000 cars that may very well be in danger if the difficulty is ignored.
For Sonata owners, the following steps are straightforward. Hyundai will begin notifying owners by mail starting January 16, 2026, instructing them to schedule a visit with a dealership. Technicians will inspect the purge control check valve and replace it with an updated part if needed, check the fuel tank and surrounding components for damage and repair or replace them, and update the engine control unit software so it may possibly higher monitor tank pressure in the long run. All of this can be performed for gratis to owners, and Hyundai will reimburse those that already paid out of pocket for similar repairs. In case you are unsure whether your automobile is affected, you’ll be able to plug your VIN into the recall lookup tool on the NHTSA website or contact your local Hyundai dealer for confirmation.
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Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed on the planet of cars. Whether it’s exploring the most recent advancements in automotive technology or keeping an in depth pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and interesting for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the most recent models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
