A Preventable Outcome
Regardless of how severe or minor a recall may seem, car owners should comply, as safety can be at stake. One Hyundai owner learned this the hard way after his 2013 Santa Fe Sport caught fire when a recall addressing a fire risk was ignored.
According to a report by WESH 2 News, the vehicle’s owner, Edgar Franceschi, was parked in Longwood, Florida, when the fire broke out. Franceschi escaped unharmed, but his Hyundai SUV was not as fortunate and was ultimately declared a total loss. The vehicle was part of a safety recall in 2023 affecting more than 3.3 million vehicles – including certain Kia models – due to a faulty anti-lock braking system.
Cause of the Fire
The recall stated that the ABS in affected vehicles could leak brake fluid and cause an electrical short, even when the vehicle is parked, as in Franceschi’s case. The proposed remedy involved replacing the ABS module fuse free of charge.
Although Franceschi was notified about the recall, he did not bring his Hyundai in, believing a brake-related issue wouldn’t be catastrophic. “You wouldn’t expect a brake issue to lead to a massive fire like that,” he said.
What’s worse is the insurance claim, which could face delays – or even potential disapproval – after Franceschi openly admitted that he did not act on the recall notice. While the circumstances are unfortunate, it serves as a costly reminder to all car owners that safety recalls should never be ignored. Sure, recalls are often difficult to predict, particularly when they stem from issues involving third-party suppliers. However, one of the few proactive steps buyers can take is to research which automakers tend to issue frequent recalls. Last year, Ford led the list with 153 recalls, affecting over 12 million units.
Millions Still at Risk
The report also noted that only 29 percent and 32 percent of affected Hyundai and Kia owners, respectively, addressed the recall, meaning more than a million vehicles with a similar fire risk may still be on the road. As such, Michael Brooks of the Center for Auto Safety called for more aggressive recall notifications.
So far this year, Hyundai has issued at least three recalls, including one affecting more than 570,000 Palisades from the 2020–2025 model years. The recall involves potentially faulty third-row side curtain airbags that could deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
