Hyundai recalls over 421.000 vehicles due to brake system fault

2026-05-24 10:24:49 Author: Alfa Rent a Car
Hyundai recalls over 421.000 vehicles due to brake system fault


Hyundai announces massive recall due to premature activation of automatic braking

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor has launched a massive recall campaign in the United States, targeting 421,078 vehicles. The decision comes after the identification of a dangerous software error that can cause sudden and unexpected activation of the brakes, according to an official announcement issued by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).


What models are affected?

The recall campaign includes some of the brand's most popular SUVs and crossover models, from the 2025 and 2026 model years. The models affected are:

  • Hyundai Tucson (standard, petrol versions)
  • Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
  • Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
  • Hyundai Santa Cruz


Why do the brakes activate out of the blue?

According to the report published by the American authority NHTSA, the problem originates from a software error in the vehicles' front cameras.

This technical fault misleads the Front Collision-Avoidance Assist system, causing it to misinterpret the environment and detect non-existent obstacles.

Accident risk: The safety system activates prematurely and applies automatic emergency braking at completely unexpected moments. This violent and unexpected behavior while driving dramatically increases the risk of rear-end collisions, endangering both the passengers in the car and other road users.


What should owners do?

Fortunately, fixing this problem does not require replacing complex mechanical parts, and Hyundai dealers will resolve the situation quickly.

  • Solution: Authorized Hyundai dealerships will perform a free software update for the front cameras, eliminating the bug that generates false braking.
  • Procedure: Owners of affected vehicles will be officially contacted by the manufacturer to schedule a service appointment.


A difficult week for the South Korean builder

This major recall adds to an already difficult week for Hyundai in the U.S. market. Just days ago, the company announced another major recall, affecting more than 54,000 vehicles.

In that case, the measure was taken due to a fire risk associated with overheating of the hybrid system control unit. The rapid succession of the two major recall campaigns is once again putting the electronic and safety systems implemented on the new generations of cars under scrutiny.