Hyundai Motor America Recalls 24 Tucson Hybrid and Elantra Vehicles Over Strut Fasteners

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 20 Elantras and four Tucson Hybrids because their strut assemblies may not have been properly tightened, the automaker's campaign 26V692 at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall covers vehicles assembled at Hyundai's Ulsan complex in South Korea, according to Autoevolution.

Hyundai's Strut Fastener Recall Explained

In vehicles with MacPherson-type front suspension, the strut connects the wheel assembly to the body, locates the steering knuckle, carries lateral loads and absorbs impacts from road imperfections. If the fasteners are not torqued as intended, the connection can loosen and separate, increasing the risk of a crash.

Production dates for the suspect Tucson Hybrid crossovers run from January 21 through March 20, 2026, and from December 30, 2025, through July 6, 2026, for the Elantra population. The investigation began with a field report to Hyundai's North American Safety Office from a 2026 model year Elantra owner who alleged suspect noises from the front suspension while driving over bumps. Hyundai Motor America surveyed potentially affected unsold vehicles through October 5, 2026, and found two vehicles with incorrectly tightened fasteners.

The recall documentation highlights two process failures. Assembly line operator error may have left one or multiple fasteners without sufficient torque, and the torque measurement data used to confirm proper fastening was improperly recorded, preventing the system from detecting such problems. The component is a flange nut with part number 62618-4D000, supplied by South Korean company Samjin Nut. The nut itself is not defective, but insufficient torque applied during vehicle assembly makes it a risk.

Hyundai Motor America is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the recall condition beyond the single field report. Dealers have been instructed to check all potentially loose fasteners on both front strut assemblies, retighten or replace the original parts if necessary, and perform a wheel alignment. The work is free of charge even if the vehicle is no longer under warranty. Hyundai says it has changed processes at the Ulsan complex, including improved torque monitoring logic and production sign-off requirements, implemented on September 9, 2026.

Hyundai's Recent US Safety and Sales Record

On October 15, 2026, Hyundai Motor America recalled 94,622 vehicles in the US over a fire risk from front power seat motors overheating, affecting 2015-2016 Genesis and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 models, with owners advised to park outdoors until repairs are completed, Investing.com reported. In August 2026, Hyundai Motor America sold 86,977 units, a 2% decline from 88,523 in August 2025, while hybrid sales rose 33% to 29% of total volume, according to Yahoo.

When Hyundai Will Notify Owners

Customer notification letters should arrive by first-class mail no later than December 19, 2026. VINs of the affected crossovers and sedans are searchable on the NHTSA's recall portal.