NHTSA Complaint #11386654 — 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, A THICK, GRAYISH SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE CABIN FROM THE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REQUESTED ALL OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT BEGAN TO CALL 911, AN OFFICER NEARBY CAME OVER TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVENTUALLY ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND BOTH A FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INITIALLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ONCE INSURANCE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE, THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INITIALLY OFFERED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HYUNDAI THEN SENT OUT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEIR ASSESSMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER HITCH. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. *BF CONSUMER FILED A CLAIMED WITH U-HAUL THEY SPOKE TO HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI BLAMES ON WIRING HITCH BECAUSE IT WAS INSTALLED AFTER PURCHASED.*JB