What 370 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell

On March 21st, while driving my Hyundai vehicle, I noticed the vehicle began making a ticking sound. After stopping the vehicle, it slowly began catching on fire. The fire ultimately spread and resulted in the vehicle becoming a total loss. This created a serious safety concern and placed me at risk. I later learned there was a recall associated with the vehicle. However, I never received any recall notices because Hyundai reportedly had the wrong address on file. Had I been properly notified of the recall and potential safety risks, I would have done everything in my power to ensure the vehicle was inspected, repaired, and safe to drive. Because I was unaware of the recall issue, the vehicle continued to be operated without my knowledge of the potential danger. The incident caused significant financial and transportation hardship, including loss of reliable transportation and additional financial strain. Hyundai later reached a determination regarding the matter, but I remain concerned about the serious safety risk and the fact that I did not receive proper recall notification before the incident occurred. I am submitting this complaint because I believe the recall notification process and handling of this matter should be reviewed further due to the serious safety risk involved.

NHTSA ODI 11737337

I was driving approx 55mph on [XXX] in my 2019 hyundai tucson when the check engine light came on and the engine started to stall. I felt the acceleration dying down in the middle of busy highway traffic. Gray smoke started coming from the hood cracks. I luckily was in the right lane already, so when I could I veered off to the shoulder and the car quit. The smoke was increasing badly. Ppl from the highway were yelling its going to blow up get away from it! I was so scared. I grabbed my phone and keys and ran as far as I could while dialing 911. Within a couple minutes flames were swallowing the entire engine and front of the car. I am furious. I researched online and hyundai has had many similar incidents with this car and other with this engine ! These need to be banned and taken off the road before they kill anyone else. Ppl have been injured and killed from similar situations just like mine. I thank God I made it out of this horrific situation alive. But now I have no car and am at risk of losing my job and then housing . I thought I would have this car for years. Now I'm traumatized and without transportation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11594075

I was driving on the highway. The engine began making a ticking noise that momentarily went away and then quickly got louder. I saw white smoke out of the back, pulled over, and then saw black smoke from the front. The check engine light only momentarily came out AFTER the white smoke was visible and I was actively pulling over. I ran out of the car, and turned to look only to see a fire under the engine bay. I did not have a collision nor hit anything on the road. Engine had full synthetic oil in it, and the oil was changed less than 10,000 miles precious. (Also checked oil level/condition the week before). The car went from driving fine, to entirely engulfed in flames within 2-4 minutes. Maine state police: case# 245000657 The vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance company yet. The report will be sent to me, and it is currently available for inspection upon request. I literally could have burned alive. My family could have been trapped. I was on the highway, LUCKILY I decided to pull over when I did. If I did not, within 40 seconds I would’ve been engulfed in flames. I have most certainly not been sleeping well in the least bit. The only warning sign happened 5-10 seconds before I was out of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11563969

DRIVING HWY SPEEDS 65MPH, CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND ALMOST KILLED BY TRUCK WHILE CHANGING LANES. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR THEN DIED, LOCKED, AND CAN NOT BE OPENED WITH PHYSICAL KEY, KEY FOB NOR BLUELINK REMOTE. CAR IS BRAND NEW JULY PURCHASE 1800 MILES. BLUELINK SHOWS 0 PROBLEMS UNDER DIAGNOSTICS.

NHTSA ODI 11270466