Hyundai Motor North America has issued a recall for 1,568 hybrid-electric SUVs due to a potential hydrogen gas leak that could pose a fire risk if exposed to an ignition source. The recall affected the Hyundai Nexo models from 2019 to 2024, one of the first hydrogen-powered SUVs available on the mass market.
The issue stems from a safety device in the Nexo designed to release hydrogen gas when the fuel tank overheats. The device, which includes a glass bulb meant to break at a certain temperature, may develop small cracks, causing it to break prematurely during normal operation. This could result in the unintended release of hydrogen gas, potentially leading to fire hazards. Drivers may notice signs of the defect, such as a loud wind-rushing noise, a white fog-like cloud near the rear of the vehicle, a rapidly dropping fuel gauge, and a malfunction indicator light.
The automaker has announced it will replace the glass component with a more durable metal version to resolve the issue. The defective parts were supplied by Youngdo Industry, a South Korean company. Fortunately, Hyundai has not yet reported any incidents, crashes, or fires related to the problem in the U.S. or Canada.
Hyundai advises affected owners to drive their vehicles but recommends that they park the SUVs outside and away from buildings until they complete the necessary repairs. Hyundai plans to notify both dealers and owners by December 10, though customers can check their vehicle identification number on Hyundai’s website before that date to see if their Nexo is part of the recall.
This recall highlights automakers’ safety challenges as they develop and deploy alternative fuel vehicles, including hydrogen-powered models. Although hydrogen vehicles remain rare in the U.S., with only around 17,000 on the road as of mid-2022, the Hyundai Nexo has been a key player in promoting hydrogen as a viable clean energy source for vehicles.
