Forward Collision Avoidance System May Activate Brakes Unexpectedly

Affected vehicles (4)

Component / system

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.

Risk / consequence

Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the front camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 302. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 20, 2026.

Chronology of events

1. January 2025

   Month(s): January 2025 – September 2025 January 11 through May 28 – Following receipt of a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (“VOQ”), Hyundai’s North America Safety Office (“NASO”) launched a new investigation into allegations of unintended braking involving vehicles in the U.S. During this period, NASO conducted reviews of U.S. market field data and formulated an investigation plan that included recurring data exchanges and technical reviews with the supplier, identification of potential vehicles for inspection, and preliminary surveying by field technicians. June 12 through June 26 – A joint investigation was conducted to evaluate FCA sensitivity in NASO fleet vehicles, with continued subsequent monitoring. The condition was first replicated on June 19 during NASO fleet monitoring; with a second replication confirmed shortly thereafter on June 26. During this period, NASO exchanged feedback and data regarding fleet and dealer test findings with HMC, while continuing focused inspections of incident vehicles at dealers. July through October – NASO continued data-driven analysis and validation activities by collecting data through Hyundai’s telematics data system for various Hyundai models and coordinating analysis by Mobis. Telematics data analysis was conducted over an extended period, while additional dealer investigations and joint evaluations of the FCA software logic were performed with HMC and Mobis. September 22 through September 23 – Joint evaluation of the FCA’s multi-function camera software was conducted with Mobis. September 23 – An inquiry was received from NHTSA ODI regarding Tucson FCA allegations submitted by owners. September 29 – NASO met with and discussed their findings to date with ODI. Month(s): October 2025 – January 2026 October 1 through October 28 – NASO coordinated with its Safety Test & Investigation Laboratory (“STIL”) and Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (“HATCI”) to prepare for FCA testing at HATCI’s test track. November 3 through November 14 – Joint vehicle testing was conducted at the STIL. November 17 through January 20 – NASO continued post-test activities through detailed reviews of STIL evaluation data with HMC and the supplier, analyses of updated VOQ data, and recurring discussion of the multifunction camera software logic. January 23 – NASO met with and discussed their findings to date with ODI.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

Jul 17, 2026 - Jul 17, 2026 No Dealers

Owner notification

Jul 17, 2026 - Jul 17, 2026 Phased Recall