Hyundai is recalling nearly 44,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the steering wheel may detach from the steering column while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the chance of a crash.
The recall covers 43,941 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport crossovers, covering 12,574 Santa Fe vehicles produced between June and December in South Korea, 13,749 Santa Fe Sports produced between July and October at Hyundai’s Alabama plant and 17,618 Santa Fe Sports produced between August and October at Kia’s Georgia plant.
Another 8,456 vehicles in Canada also were recalled for the potential defect.
According to Hyundai, there have been no reported injuries or accidents linked to the defect while the vehicle was in motion. According to NHTSA, the defect may result in the steering wheel may detach from the steering column while being driven. Hyundai believes the defective steering wheel was a result of the suspect production lot from their supplier. The company said the “mold temperature may have increased during the molding process” and therefore may have caused damage to certain steering wheel assemblies.
