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Hyundai tow hitch wiring fires: which SUVs are recalled?
⚠ 3 carry a park-outside (fire risk) advisory.
All three Hyundai trailer-hitch recalls describe the same chain of events: water or debris gets into the tow hitch harness module, the printed circuit board shorts, and a fire can start even while the vehicle is parked. Both factory-installed harnesses and ones bought later as a Hyundai dealer accessory are covered. The 2022 recall covers 2020-2022 Palisade. The 2023 recall is the broadest, covering 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid and Santa Cruz. The newest, from December 2025, covers 2022-2024 Tucson with the optional Mobis harness. The Santa Fe family is hit hardest, and every notice tells owners to park outside.
Warning signs to watch for
- Trailer lights fail or stop working when a trailer is plugged in (cited in the Tucson recall)
- Smoke, flames or a burning smell from the rear hitch wiring area, including while parked
- Water, moisture or dirt visible around the hitch wiring connector
- The notices describe no dashboard warning light — a fire can begin with the vehicle parked and unattended
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the three notices tells owners to stop driving. All three do tell you to park outside and away from houses, garages and other structures until the repair is finished, because the harness can catch fire while the vehicle sits unattended. That applies equally to the 2020-2022 Palisade, to the Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Santa Cruz, and to the 2022-2024 Tucson. In practice: keep driving if you need to, but stop parking in an attached garage or carport until it is fixed.
What the free repair involves
The repair depends on the model. For the Palisade and for the Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Santa Cruz, dealers install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary. For the 2022-2024 Tucson, dealers remove the trailer wiring harness altogether and fit a dust cap over the wiring receptacle. There is no over-the-air option, and all work is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 3 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-19 | Hyundai Tucson tow hitch wiring lets water in · park outside | critical |
| 2023-03-17 | Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Cruz Tow Hitch Fire Risk · park outside | critical |
| 2022-08-18 | Hyundai Palisade tow hitch wiring can start a fire · park outside | critical |
Common questions
I bought my hitch from the dealer, not with the vehicle — am I still covered?
Yes. The Palisade and Santa Fe/Santa Cruz recalls specifically cover tow hitch harnesses installed as original equipment or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership, so a dealer-added harness is included in the free repair.
Will my Tucson still be able to tow after the recall repair?
The Tucson remedy removes the trailer wiring harness and installs a dust cap over the wiring receptacle. That takes away the trailer lighting connection the harness provided. Ask your dealer what options exist before the appointment.
Why does Hyundai say park outside if it never says stop driving?
Because the fire can start while the vehicle sits parked, not just while driving. Parking outside and away from structures keeps a fire from spreading to a house or garage, so both notices pair that advice with normal driving.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.