Hyundai and Genesis Recall Nearly 95,000 Vehicles Over Power Seat Fire Risk: Owners Advised to Park Outside

Hyundai Motor America has issued a major safety recall affecting 94,622 older-model Hyundai Genesis and Genesis G80 sedans in the United States. According to a Part 573 Safety Recall Report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under recall number 26V664, a defect in the power seat control switch can cause the seat motor to overheat, posing a vehicle fire risk even while the car is parked and turned off.

While a permanent fix is currently in development, the automaker has issued an urgent "Park Outside" consumer advisory for all affected owners. Here is everything you need to know about the recall, the affected models, warning signs to watch out for, and what steps you should take next.

Which Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall impacts a total of 94,622 passenger cars manufactured in South Korea by Hyundai Motor Company for the U.S. market. Specifically, the recall applies to vehicles equipped with non-memory power seats:

• 2015–2016 Hyundai Genesis: 54,644 vehicles potentially affected (Produced between February 21, 2014, and February 24, 2016).

• 2017–2020 Genesis G80: 39,978 vehicles potentially affected (Produced between March 17, 2016, and November 7, 2019).

Hyundai estimates that approximately 1% of the recalled population actually contains the defect.

What Causes the Fire Risk?

According to the NHTSA report, the issue stems from the front seat slider and height adjustment control switch(manufactured by Nidec Mobility Korea Corporation, part numbers 88990-B1030 for the driver side and 88991-B1000for the passenger side).

If the switch assembly is subjected to an external impact or force, its internal components can become dislodged, damaged, or misaligned. When this happens, the control switch may get stuck in an engaged position, causing the seat adjustment motor to run continuously—even after the driver and passengers have exited the vehicle.

Prolonged, continuous operation of the seat motor can cause it to overheat, significantly increasing the risk of a vehicle fire while driving or parked.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Drivers and passengers may notice two primary warning signs before a thermal event occurs:

1. A burning odor coming from the front driver or passenger seat.

2. Inoperative or stuck seat control switches.

Have Any Fires or Injuries Been Reported?

Hyundai’s investigation into the issue began in late December 2021 after receiving a report regarding a 2018 Genesis G80 in the U.S., followed by a second U.S. report in August 2022. After recovering a damaged seat assembly in late 2023 and evaluating additional thermal event reports from the South Korean market in July 2026, Hyundai decided on October 1, 2026, to issue an official safety recall.

As of the recall filing date, Hyundai is aware of two alleged fire incidents in the U.S. market linked to this condition. Fortunately, no crashes or injuries have been reported.

What Should Owners Do Right Now?

1. Park Outdoors Immediately

Because the seat motor can overheat while the vehicle is unattended, Hyundai strongly advises all owners of affected 2015–2016 Hyundai Genesis and 2017–2020 Genesis G80 vehicles to park outdoors and away from other vehicles, garages, or structures until the recall repair has been completed.

2. Check Your VIN

Affected Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) became searchable on October 13, 2026. You can check if your specific vehicle is included in this recall by visiting the official NHTSA Recall Lookup page or the Hyundai/Genesis recall portals and entering your 17-digit VIN.

3. Watch for Official Mail Notification

Hyundai Motor America is currently developing the final remedy for the faulty switches. Both dealer notifications and owner notification letters (sent via certified/first-class mail) are scheduled to go out on December 6, 2026.

Once the remedy is available, owners will be instructed to bring their vehicles to an authorized Hyundai dealer or Genesis retailer for a free repair, regardless of whether the vehicle is still under its original factory warranty. Hyundai will also provide reimbursement to owners who have already paid out-of-pocket to fix this specific issue.

Quick Reference: Recall Summary

• NHTSA Recall Number: 26V664

• Hyundai/Genesis Recall Numbers: 308 / 035G

• Total Vehicles Recalled: 94,622

• Affected Models: 2015–2016 Hyundai Genesis & 2017–2020 Genesis G80

• Consumer Advisory: Park Outside (Do Not Drive advisory has not been issued)

• VIN Search Available: October 13, 2026

• Owner Notification Date: December 6, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I still drive my recalled Hyundai Genesis or Genesis G80? Yes. Hyundai has not issued a "Do Not Drive" advisory for this recall. However, you should remain alert for any burning smells or malfunctioning seat switches, and you must park the vehicle outside and away from structures when not in use.

Does this recall affect vehicles with memory seats? According to the NHTSA Part 573 report, the defect specifically involves the front seat slider and height adjustment control switch used on non-memory power seats in the subject vehicles.

How much will the recall repair cost? The recall remedy will be performed completely free of charge at any authorized Hyundai dealer or Genesis retailer, even if your vehicle's New Vehicle Limited Warranty has expired.