Hyundai Says Getting a Replacement Recall Part for My Santa Cruz Could Take 6

The recall deals with a safety issue, and not fixing it creates a problem when I need to tow

According to the automaker, this recall also includes the Hyundai Santa Fe, as well as the Santa Cruz. Among the 567,912 vehicles recalled, only one incident was reported that may be related to the wiring harness. It did not result in an injury. Hyundai of North America is bringing in all vehicles that were equipped with the tow package using this wiring harness.

Here's the company's statement on the issue (their full response is at the bottom):

TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS, HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA IS INITIATING SAFETY RECALL 244 TO ADDRESS A CONDITION INVOLVING THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2019-2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND MODEL YEAR 2022-2023 SANTA CRUZ VEHICLES PRODUCED FOR SALE IN THE U.S. THE RECALL POPULATION INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY 567,912 MODEL YEAR 2019-2023 SANTA FE, MODEL YEAR 2021-2023 SANTA FE HYBRID, MODEL YEAR 2022-2023 SANTA FE PLUG-IN AND MODEL YEAR 2022-2023 SANTA CRUZ VEHICLES SOLD IN THE U.S.

The full recall can be read at the bottom. I will add links to this post to expedite connections for anyone who needs them.

This post goes a little beyond the regular recall notices our websites cover. That's because I actually own a Santa Cruz and I took mine in for the recall service immediately. The Hyundai Santa Cruz recall service simply required the service tech to disconnect the harness…and remove it.

There is no current replacement part to fully fix the problem. That is to say, once they yank the wiring harness for towing, you can no longer tow with your Santa Cruz. The recall is for a safety issue, so it's good the automaker is doing something about it. But taking away a critical feature (at least for some) creates a noticeable and frustrating problem. You may not think about towing with your small crossover or indeed your Santa Cruz, but I do.

When I asked the service manager about when the replacement part would be available, he didn't bat an eyelash. "It could be six to eighteen months." MONTHS! Startled, I asked him how that's possible. His response: "Yeah, I’ve seen some recall parts take at least that long."

"To ensure the safety of its customers, Hyundai Motor America is initiating safety recall 244 to address a condition involving the accessory tow hitch assembly in certain model year 2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and model year 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles produced for sale in the U.S. The recall population includes approximately 567,912 model year 2019-2023 Santa Fe, model year 2021-2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, model year 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in and model year 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles sold in the U.S.

Hyundai identified one (1) report of a fire that may be related to the defect condition of a Santa Fe vehicle in the U.S. There are no confirmed crashes or injuries related to this condition in the U.S.

The subject vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer tow hitch assembly available for purchase through Hyundai or other authorized retailers. The printed circuit board ("PCB") in the trailer tow hitch harness module may be susceptible to water inflow through the trailer tow hitch wiring harness connector, resulting in an electrical short circuit. An electrical short could increase the risk of a trailer tow hitch harness module fire while driving or while the vehicle is parked with the ignition off. Owners can continue driving these vehicles; however, Hyundai recommends parking their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy or interim repair is completed.

All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer for the verification of equipped Hyundai accessory trailer tow hitch assembly and if equipped. The installation of a 15A fuse and new wire extension kit. As an interim step, Hyundai is also planning on removing the fuse to an equipped trailer tow hitch module to address the fire risk while in operation and parked. This remedy will be offered at no cost for all affected customers, if necessary.

In the meantime, customers can input their vehicle identification number (VIN) HyundaiUSA.com/Recalls to determine if their vehicle is impacted."

I’ll keep my eyes open and report back if there are any updates with this recall or I can actually get a replacement part on this side of 2025.