Hyundai Recalls Ioniq Hybrids To Repair Oil Seals

Recall affects 10,000 Ioniq Hybrid cars that can leak oil, short-circuit and possibly catch fire.

Hyundai Recalls Ioniq Hybrids To Repair Oil Seals

Posted in Recalls

— Hyundai is recalling more than 10,000 model year 2017 Ioniq Hybrids with problems caused by the hydraulic clutch actuator oil seals.

The inner seals may leak oil that will build up in the cap area, possibly causing a short-circuit and fire.

Hyundai received a March 2017 report in Korea from a supplier concerning hydraulic clutch actuators returned as warranty parts.

The automaker searched for Korean warranty claims and found reports of oil leaking from the actuators and drivers seeing illuminated hybrid system warning lights.

Affected parts were collected by Hyundai and sent to the supplier for testing, and in June 2017 the tests showed burrs on the inner housings were causing damage to the internal oil seals.

The damaged seals allowed oil to leak into the phase cap areas, a condition that could lead to localized fires that could spread. Hyundai then checked the U.S. market and found warranty claims related to the same hydraulic clutch actuators.

According to Hyundai, there are no reports of crashes, injuries or fires associated with the leaking seals.

The automaker has been hit twice for the same actuators because Kia today recalled more than 27,000 Niro Hybrids.

Hyundai says dealers will inspect the actuator caps for signs of leaked oil and replace the assemblies if needed.

The 2017 Ioniq Hybrid recall is expected to begin June 20, 2018, but owners with questions should call Hyundai at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 176.