Recall 23V181 affects 584,784 2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles for tow-hitch harness shorts. Park outside. Repair is free at franchised Hyundai dealers.
The safety risk is a fire while the vehicle is parked or being driven, which increases the risk of injury. Park outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Keep distance from garages, carports, and other buildings, and contact a Hyundai dealer for recall guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Hyundai dealer once available.
Hyundai is recalling 584,784 2019-2023 Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, and Santa Cruz vehicles with tow hitch harness modules that can collect water and short circuit. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury, so owners should park outside and away from structures until the free Hyundai dealer repair is available.
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What's wrong?
The tow hitch harness on 2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Cruz, and Santa Fe vehicles connects the vehicle wiring to a trailer hitch module. That module helps route power and lighting signals for trailer equipment, so the trailer wiring can work without overloading the vehicle's main wiring.
On affected vehicles, water can collect on the printed circuit board inside the tow hitch harness module. A printed circuit board is the small electronic board that carries electrical signals through the module. When water bridges those circuits, it can create an electrical short. That short can overheat the module and result in a fire.
The recall applies to vehicles with the tow hitch harness installed as original equipment or bought as a Hyundai dealer accessory. The filing does not list a warning sign for owners. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Cruz, and Santa Fe vehicles across the 2019-2023 model years, all tied to the same tow hitch module and wiring harness.
| 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid | Trailer hitches |
| 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Trailer hitches |
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid | Trailer hitches |
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Trailer hitches |
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid | Trailer hitches |
| 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe | Trailer hitches |
| 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe | Trailer hitches |
| 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | Trailer hitches |
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe | Trailer hitches |
| 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe | Trailer hitches |
| 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 584,784 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
The safety risk is a fire while the vehicle is parked or being driven, which increases the risk of injury. Park outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Keep distance from garages, carports, and other buildings, and contact a Hyundai dealer for recall guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Hyundai dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Cruz, or Santa Fe is included in this recall.
- Watch for Hyundai's owner letter if you have not received it; letters were mailed starting May 16, 2023.
- Park outside and away from structures until the tow hitch harness fuse and wire extension repair is complete.
- Contact a franchised Hyundai dealer about the free tow hitch harness repair that addresses the electrical short and fire risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Hyundai mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V181 and Hyundai recall 244 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as needed for the tow hitch harness module. Until that remedy is completed, park the vehicle outside and away from structures. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Ask the dealer what interim steps apply if the vehicle needs to move before the repair is finished.
Timeline
| March 17, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 16, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V181?
Recall 23V181 covers 584,784 2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Cruz, and Santa Fe vehicles with a tow hitch harness module that can short after water accumulates on the circuit board. Hyundai dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Cruz, or Santa Fe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V181. If it is, park outside and away from structures until the repair is complete, then contact a franchised Hyundai dealer to schedule the tow hitch harness repair. Reference recall number 23V181 and Hyundai recall 244 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Hyundai says dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit as necessary, free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. Water can collect on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board and create an electrical short. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury, so affected vehicles need to stay parked outside and away from structures until the dealer completes the repair.
What if I bought my Hyundai used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If Hyundai never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, or Santa Cruz is included before you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V181000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-855-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V181 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V181000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (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 →