Recall 23V038 affects 16,104 2022-2023 Hyundai Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles for roof moldings that detach. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai is recalling 16,104 2022-2023 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles because the roof moldings can detach while driving. A loose molding can become a road hazard and raise crash risk, and Hyundai dealers will inspect and repair the moldings free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The roof moldings on the 2022-2023 Hyundai Tucson and Santa Cruz are the long exterior trim pieces that sit along the roof edges. They cover and finish the roof seams, and they rely on mounting clips to stay tight against the roof body flange while the vehicle moves through wind, rain, and vibration.
On affected vehicles, the clips do not hold the molding firmly enough against that roof flange. That weak retention lets the molding lift, shift, or work loose during normal driving. Once the molding loses enough grip, it can detach from the roof instead of staying fixed to the body.
Owners can look for visible lifting, uneven gaps, or misalignment along the roof molding. Wind noise or noise from the roof area is also a warning sign that the molding is no longer sitting tight against the body.
Who's affected?
The affected part is the roof molding mounting clip, with listings under roof structure and critical fasteners.
| 2022 Hyundai Tucson | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | body or structural component |
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | body structure |
| 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz | body or structural component |
| 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz | body structure |
| 2022 Hyundai Tucson | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 16,104 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A detached roof molding can separate into traffic, creating a road hazard and increasing crash risk. Visible lifting, misalignment, wind noise, or noise from the roof area means the molding needs dealer attention. Schedule the inspection soon and avoid ignoring those signs. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022 Hyundai Tucson or 2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the free roof-molding inspection and repair so loose molding is replaced or secured.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V038 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and pull over safely if any roof molding starts to loosen or detach.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician inspects the roof moldings on the affected Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. If a molding is loose or detached, the technician replaces it or secures it so it stays attached. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Hyundai's reimbursement plan covers documented out-of-pocket expenses already paid to fix this recall condition. Bring receipts or other repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact Hyundai customer service to start the reimbursement request.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 31, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 30, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 1, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| April 1, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 1, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V038?
Recall 23V038 covers 16,104 2022 Hyundai Tucson and 2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz vehicles with roof moldings that can detach. A loose molding can become a road hazard and raise crash risk. Hyundai dealers will inspect, secure, or replace the roof moldings for free.
What should I do if my 2022 Hyundai Tucson or 2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V038. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the roof molding inspection and repair. Reference recall 23V038 or Hyundai recall 241 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Hyundai to repair the defect at no cost, and Hyundai dealers will inspect and replace or secure the roof moldings for free. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What is the safety risk from this Hyundai roof molding recall?
The risk is that a roof molding can detach while driving and become a road hazard. That raises crash risk for other road users. The fix is to have a Hyundai dealer inspect the moldings and secure or replace them for free.
When were owners notified about recall 23V038?
Hyundai mailed owner notification letters on March 30, 2023. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your Tucson or Santa Cruz is included, then call a Hyundai dealer and reference recall 23V038.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V038000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-855-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V038 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V038000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
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 →