Noticed after driving my Hyundai genesis and once running for roughly 15-20 mins once the engine has warmed up I noticed a bounce feeling coming from the front end(I thought)and then noticed my speed dropped and when pressure was apply to the gas pedal it wouldn’t go, as the car slowed down by itself until it came to a complete stop I cutt the car off and began walking around to where I smelled something burning and then seen smoke coming from my front driver wheel to discover my brake had locked up for no reason. I left the car to cool down and returned to get it and luckily it was unlocked and was successful to drive it home(4min drive), a couple days later I had to take my son to school to where it did the exact same thing again, days later I had all braking replaced which failed to solve the issue. This has been happening for over 4 months now and has always been my daily driver and has always been upkept and never had any issues with my car until now. I’m a single parent with two children whom I have to take to school daily and pickup and this issue has already cost me a lot however I was made aware of this issue by a professional mechanic whom said my car has a current recall for this exact issue I’m having but my vin doesn’t show it even thought everything lines up!
Hyundai Genesis fire or smoke problems
20 of the 1,245 owner complaints about the Hyundai Genesis describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 70,000
By model year
- 20181
- 20167
- 20154
- 20132
- 20122
- 20111
- 20093
Often reported together
Wipers 2Engine failure 2Warning lights 1Loss of power 1Headlights 1Fuel smell 1ABS 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in a nearby parking lot, upon returning, there was heavy black smoke coming from under the front passenger’s side seat. Upon further inspection, the contact burned his right hand while attempting to check for the source of the fire. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer while the black smoke was present, where it was diagnosed with a possible wiring harness failure and the vehicle remained with the dealer for further investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the method of how the smoke was extinguished was unknown. No medical attention was sought. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that as per the insurance provider, it was unknown if the vehicle was a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Passenger seat caught fire while vehicle was parked in attached garage and self-extinguished. Insurance deemed vehicle total loss due to extent of damage.
I am filing this complaint to formally report a serious vehicle safety hazard and to express concern over how Hyundai/Genesis has handled it. My 2016 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 AWD experienced a n engine compartment fire originating from the starter motor, which subsequently melted the engine wiring harness and surrounding components. This fire could have easily caused serious injury or death, as it occurred shortly after starting the vehicle. Fortunately, I was able t o shut the vehicle off and get t o safety before the flames spreadThe dealership and Genesis Customer Care opened a case (Case #41642221) but later informed me that this was "not related" to the existing Hyundai/Genesis recall involving the same starter and wiring harness fire risk. Their explanation was that my incident was merely a "coincidence" - despite the identical cause and symptoms described in the recall documentation. This reasoning is unacceptable, irresponsible, and ignores the fundamental issue: the fire originated from the starter, the same component already known t o have a fire-related defect. Dismissing a near-identical safety incident as unrelated poses a severe public safety concern and suggests Hyundai/Genesis may be avoiding accountability for additional affected vehicles outside the recall's VIN range. I believe this defect and the manufacturer's response warrant a n urgent the federal safety agency investigation into the scope of the existing recall and whether it should be expanded. This issue is not only mechanical but life-threatening, as an engine fire caused by electrical failure could easily occur while driving or in an occupied area. Please investigate this issue and ensure Hyundai/Genesis takes full responsibility for this defect before someone i s seriously injured or killed
After Hyundai performed a recall service on my vehicle, the radiator hose burst while I was driving on the highway, causing the engine to fail completely. Smoke came from the engine compartment, and I had to pull over immediately with my family to avoid a serious accident. Before the recall, the vehicle had no issues and ran perfectly for three months after purchase. The problem occurred only a few days after the recall service, which included work on the ABS module. Hyundai refused to take responsibility, even though this failure happened right after the recall repair. The dealership and manufacturer did not inspect the vehicle properly and made their decision based only on a phone conversation. This is a severe safety concern because the engine failed suddenly on the highway. I believe this failure is directly related to the recall work performed under the federal safety agency Recall #21V160000, which is still listed as incomplete on the federal safety agency records.
On [XXX], after driving on a rainy day (with a flood warning reported by NWS), I noticed a strong burning smell in the garage the next day, and my car wouldn’t start. Unable to get it running, I had it towed to a nearby repair shop, where they found burn marks on the starter and starter harness. The repair costs were significant, so I filed a claim with my insurance under my comprehensive coverage. The following day, the insurance adjuster informed me that Hyundai had issued a recall (RECALL 254, 24V 107000) related to my issue and advised me to take the vehicle to Hyundai for repair. I had the car towed to the Hyundai dealer in Cumming. However, after diagnosing the vehicle, Hyundai of Cumming stated that it was not subject to the recall. I believe this incident is clearly part of the recall, as shown in the attached photos from the local repair shop. Since Hyundai of Cumming claimed it wasn’t covered, my insurance company requested a detailed explanation and additional photos, but Hyundai of Cumming has been unresponsive for over a month. I reached out to Hyundai Motor USA, but they simply provided the same information as Hyundai of Cumming, without any investigation. During this process, I incurred nearly $1,000 for a rental car, which was a significant expense for me. Two months after the incident, Hyundai of Cumming offered me two options: A) Pay out of pocket for repairs, or B) Remove the vehicle from their shop. Since the car wouldn’t start, I had no choice but to pay for the repairs. I finally got my vehicle back on October 19, 2024, three months after the incident, with total costs around $6,000, including the rental. I still don’t understand why Hyundai of Cumming believes this burned starter solenoid incident is not part of the recall. As a typical customer, I feel powerless against this large corporation, despite knowing this issue should be covered. If you need anything else from me, please feel free to reach out anytime. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, after which she observed smoke coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle lost electrical power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the starter solenoid. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V107000 (Electrical System). The VIN was included in the recall however, parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 104,000.
My car spontaneously caught fire while in a parking lot. I had left it for approximately 45 minutes. When I returned and opened the trunk, smoke began pouring out. Frightened, I called 911. The fire department came. When they opened the driver door, much more smoke poured out. My car continued to smoke I believe for a long time. I was ill for several days with headache and asthma as I am a senior and have scarred lungs. A mechanic later determined that the passenger car motor had burst into fire. He said the motor, seat, carpet and seat belt were beyond repair. No warning lights ever came on. After suggesting a buy back of the car in an earlier conversation, the manufacturer said yesterday upon viewing a photo I provided of the burned seat motor that it wasn't that bad. I refuse to keep the car or drive it because it could happen again and it reeks of fire.
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, an abnormal fuel odor was coming from the vehicle with heavy smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the tire pressure and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not serviced or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Driving and car just quit. Clock turned, wipers went crazy, and then smoke came up the front windshield from the engine. I bailed and left it in the road. Awful and dangerous situation. Dealership wasn’t excepting Genesis anymore. Towed to a dealership 50 min away. Told the engine failed.
Related recalls
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis, 2017-2019 Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a remedy relay kit in the engine junction box, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 254(H) and 018G(G).
Recall number 24V107000 · Recall details
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Genesis sedans manufactured February 1, 2015, through May 20, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a seven-inch TFT-LCD instrument cluster that may display an incorrect vehicle speed or may illuminate all of the warning lights or not illuminate a warning light that needs to be lit.
- Risk
- If the instrument cluster displays the vehicle speed or illuminates the warning lights incorrectly there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 147.
Recall number 16V575000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Genesis fire or smoke
Which Hyundai Genesis years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (7 complaints), 2015 (4 complaints) and 2009 (3 complaints).
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