Recall 26V316 covers 421,078 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, and Santa Cruz vehicles for unexpected braking. Free Hyundai dealer repair once available.
Hyundai is recalling 421,078 2025-2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, and Santa Cruz vehicles because software in the front cameras can make the forward collision avoidance system activate early and apply the brakes unexpectedly. The dealer repair will be free once Hyundai makes it available, and owners should use the VIN to confirm whether their specific vehicle is included.
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What's wrong?
The front view camera on affected 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, and Santa Cruz vehicles supports the forward collision avoidance system. That system watches the road ahead and helps automatic emergency braking decide when the vehicle is closing in too fast on traffic in front of it. When it works correctly, braking intervention happens only when the system judges a frontal crash is imminent.
In campaign 26V316, the camera software is tuned too conservatively. It uses speed, driver input, and distance to nearby vehicles to decide when a frontal crash is developing, but the settings let the system react too early. The result is premature activation of forward collision avoidance, which unexpectedly applies the brakes even when the driver does not expect braking at that moment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The unwanted braking comes from software logic, not a part the owner can inspect or a sound the driver can listen for.
Who's affected?
Spans Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, and Santa Cruz across the 2025 and 2026 model years, all tied to the front-view camera used by automatic emergency braking.
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson | Automatic emergency braking |
|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Automatic emergency braking |
| 2025 Hyundai Tucson | Automatic emergency braking |
| Units affected | 421,078 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 8 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash because the vehicle can slow when the driver has not asked it to. There is no warning sign before it happens, so leave extra following distance and avoid close traffic until the software repair opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Hyundai dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, or Santa Cruz is included in this recall.
- Wait for Hyundai's owner letter, expected July 17, 2026, before scheduling the final software update.
- Call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 with questions and reference recall number 26V316.
- Use extra following distance and stay ready for unexpected braking until the front-camera software update is complete.
- Bring the recall notice to a franchised Hyundai dealer once the repair opens; the software update that fixes premature automatic braking is free.
What happens at the repair
Hyundai is still developing the final dealer repair. Once it opens, a Hyundai technician will update the front camera software so the forward collision avoidance system does not brake unexpectedly from the camera software issue. The dealer repair will be free, with parts and labor covered under the recall. Hyundai used its general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related front camera software repair before the recall notice, ask Hyundai customer service or the dealer how to submit documentation under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 18, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 20, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 17, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| July 17, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V316?
Recall 26V316 covers 421,078 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, and Santa Cruz vehicles. Front camera software can make the forward collision avoidance system activate too early and apply the brakes unexpectedly. Hyundai dealers will update the front camera software for free once the remedy opens.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, or Santa Cruz is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V316. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer or Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 and ask when the front camera software update is available. The dealer repair is free once Hyundai opens it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Hyundai dealers will update the front camera software free of charge once the remedy is available, and Hyundai lists recall number 302 for this campaign.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected braking. If the forward collision avoidance system activates too early, the vehicle can brake when the driver is not expecting it, increasing the risk of a crash. The repair path is a free front camera software update at a franchised Hyundai dealer.
When will Hyundai notify owners about recall 26V316?
Hyundai expects to mail owner notification letters on July 17, 2026. VINs became searchable for this recall on May 20, 2026. Until your notice arrives, check your VIN and keep recall number 26V316 or Hyundai recall number 302 ready when you contact the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V316000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-855-371-9460 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V316 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V316000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →