Recall 21V938 covers 12 2022 Hyundai Tucson vehicles for ICU software linked to inoperative headlights or taillights. Repair is free at franchised Hyundai dealers.
Hyundai is recalling 12 2022 Tucson SUVs because software in the Integrated Central Control Unit is incompatible with the vehicle and can leave the headlights or taillights inoperative. That loss of lighting can reduce visibility for the driver and surrounding traffic and increases crash risk; Hyundai dealers will update the ICU software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Integrated Central Control Unit Assembly in the 2022 Hyundai Tucson is the main power distribution controller. It helps route electrical power and commands to systems around the vehicle, including the exterior lamps. For the headlights and taillights to work correctly, the controller has to run software that matches the vehicle's lighting setup.
On these Tucsons, the ICU was produced without completing a required software reflash, which means the correct factory software was not loaded before the part went into the vehicle. That left the controller running software that did not match the exterior light system. When the controller sends the wrong logic to the lamps, the headlights, taillights, or both can stop working.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is the exterior lights not operating when expected, such as headlights that do not come on or taillights that stay dark.
Who's affected?
Both listed components trace to the integrated central control unit, the main power distribution controller.
| 2022 Hyundai Tucson | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2022 Hyundai Tucson | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 12 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Inoperative headlights or taillights reduce what you can see and make the 2022 Tucson harder for other traffic to see, which increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the lights stop working. If the lights fail, avoid low light trips and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022 Hyundai Tucson is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Hyundai dealer if your VIN shows this recall open, and schedule the free ICU software update that fixes the headlight and taillight software issue.
- Reference recall number 21V938 and Hyundai recall 214 when you call.
- Avoid night driving until the recall shows closed, because this software issue affects the headlights and taillights.
- Call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 with questions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician updates the Integrated Central Control Unit software so it is compatible with the vehicle and the headlights and taillights operate as intended. Hyundai says all affected vehicles have already been repaired, so no owner notification letters will be mailed. The software update is free under the recall. Hyundai has a general reimbursement plan on file for eligible repairs already paid before the recall. Contact Hyundai customer service if you have documentation for a related ICU software repair.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 2, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 2, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 28, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| January 28, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 28, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V938?
Recall 21V938 covers 12 2022 Hyundai Tucson vehicles with Integrated Central Control Unit software that does not match the vehicle. The issue can make the headlights or taillights stop working, which reduces visibility for the driver and surrounding traffic and raises crash risk. Hyundai dealers updated the ICU software for free.
What should I do if my 2022 Hyundai Tucson is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Tucson is included in recall 21V938. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and ask them to verify the ICU software update. Hyundai says all affected vehicles have been repaired, and the dealer can confirm the repair status.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to complete recall repairs at no cost, and Hyundai's remedy for recall 21V938 was an ICU software update free of charge at a franchised Hyundai dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V938?
The safety risk is reduced lighting visibility. In recall 21V938, incompatible ICU software can leave the headlights or taillights inoperative, which makes the vehicle harder for the driver and surrounding traffic to see and raises crash risk. Confirm the VIN and repair status before relying on the vehicle at night.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V938000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-855-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V938 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V938000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →