2016 Hyundai Genesis Electrical Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11746437

Incident

May 15, 2026

Mileage

70,000 mi

Was told by mechanic their was a possibility for fire with the starter mechanism.

NHTSA ID

11711589

Incident

Feb 20, 2025

Oil light appears when at a stop and goes off when accelerating. was told by mechanic this is a sensor problem common to my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11711588

Incident

Oct 5, 2025

Dear NHTSA, 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 NHTSA 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

NHTSA ID

11694040

Incident

Oct 9, 2025

After car was taken to dealership to fix recalls on the drive home the car lost steering mid turn directly after fuses which were part of the recall started clicking then car completely shut off in the middle of the road

NHTSA ID

11643782

Incident

Feb 19, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11620985

Incident

Jul 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an electrical short. The mechanic replaced the starter. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was covered under a recall and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the starter harness and the starter compartment had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that he would need to pay the repair fee even though the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V107000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that he was disregarded and advised by the dealer to pay out of pocket. Additionally, the dealer advised the contact to trade the vehicle in. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened; however, the contact was denied assistance because the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact stated the manufacturer also failed to acknowledge the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11606747

Incident

Apr 9, 2024

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V107000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel deactivated. Additionally, the headlights turned off unintendedly and the engine seized. The vehicle was able to restart however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,300. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11605612

Incident

Jul 31, 2024

Mileage

45,300 mi

This has happened a few times the first time i was driving and the headlights flicked on and off on the dash it showed it switched from auto to off by its self it has done that a few times. The time that i was driving on the highway and the lights when out during the night i was driving 65mph over a pass with no warning I had to turn them on because they did not come back on by them self. I contacted the hyundai dealership they told me there was a tsb for it but the problem would have to happen while they are driving it so they could fix it under warranty. This is a huge safety risk because they note "Certain vehicles may exhibit intermittent headlight flickering while driving with the light switch on AUTO light mode" in there TSB and it says " intermittent" witch means "not happening regularly or continuously" so it doesn't happen they wont cover it under warranty. And it happens at random times witch causes a safety risk because if the light out it can cause a fatal accident. i contacted hyundai about this my self and they told me the same thing that the dealer has to have it happen to them or its not covered. please look into this it needs to be recalled tsb 20-BE-009H-1

NHTSA ID

11601320

Incident

Jun 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V107000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel was deactivated. In addition, the headlights shut off and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,240. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11594263

Incident

Jun 12, 2024

Mileage

76,240 mi

My starter has failed and continues to do so intermittently. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and family are at risk by placing us in a position to be stranded due to the car not starting. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer to date. The problem was inspected and initially believed to be a need for battery replacement. The battery was replaced and the problem has continued with the car not starting. The symptoms of the problem prior to failure began approximately 6 months ago and only involved the car not starting.

NHTSA ID

11586061

Incident

Mar 2, 2024

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11585229

Incident

Apr 25, 2024

Mileage

104,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the electrical power inside the vehicle became inoperable, and the vehicle lost power for approximately 10 seconds before the cabin lights returned to normal functionality. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the vehicle could not be repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start for 10 minutes. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11583814

Incident

Dec 12, 2023

Mileage

132,705 mi

My 2016 Hyundai Genesis has several open recalls. I cannot get a dealership to help me get these issues resolved. One recall in particular Hyundai recall number 254 is causing major safety issues. My car does not start 90% of the time without being jumped and now the car will die out while driving. It has caused me to almost wreck several times. I have called all of the local Hyundai dealerships none of which say they can get me in for weeks and that there is no fix for my problem. If I do get to someone to book an appointment, when they hear the problem they put me on permahold and then the line disconnects! This is a major safety issue and needs to be fixed by Hyundai immediately.

NHTSA ID

11581754

Incident

Apr 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the trunk ajar indicator light illuminated on the instrument panel, prompting the contact to pull to the shoulder of the road to secure the trunk. After assuring that the trunk was secured, the trunk open indicator light failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. Later, the contact stated that, upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. Roadside Assistance arrived and informed the contact that an electrical component had drained the battery, requiring the battery to be replaced. The battery was replaced, but the vehicle was not taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11576694

Incident

Jan 21, 2024

Mileage

65,000 mi

Car is shutting off when stopped. When it shuts off, the engine light comes on, the battery lights, the EPS, the master warning light, the FCA system light, and the EPB. When the engine shuts off, I still have power to my car and the radio still playing but nothing to my engine. I brought my car to 2 different mechanic and brought it to the dealership today and they are saying there’s nothing wrong with my car. My car have been shutting off all this month and that’s not normal,

NHTSA ID

11560806

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Genesis. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked; however, after entering the vehicle, the contact smelled an abnormal smoke odor. The contact opened the hood and became aware that there were sparks coming from the battery terminals and the starter. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with internal starter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11547324

Incident

Jul 7, 2023

Mileage

111,000 mi

Vehicle suffered complete loss of power. Would not start on random occasions, but would then power on after lifting trunk cover to access battery. It appears that the positive battery cable connection box has a design flaw in which it helps to support the trunk cover. Over time with loading and unloading trunk, this is causing the terminal to twist and the clamp that holds the battery terminal to the post will eventually not provide enough pressure to ensure a firm connection to the battery. This leads to complete loss of power in the vehicle at any time.

NHTSA ID

11450071

Incident

Feb 2, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI GENESIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V160000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY HYUNDAI (7909 MALL PKWY, LITHONIA, GA 30038, (770) 999-0443) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *DT

NHTSA ID

11405525

Incident

Jun 25, 2020

Mileage

38,000 mi

LIGHTS AND WARRING SOUNDS GO OFF WHEN STATIONARY

NHTSA ID

11405242

Incident

Mar 25, 2021

Mileage

50,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE OTHER NIGHT, MY HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF ON THEIR OWN. THE HEADLIGHT SETTING WAS SET TO AUTO AND THEY FLICKERED TWICE BEFORE SHUTTING ALL THE WAY OFF. AT THIS TIME I WAS ON A DARK ROAD WITHOUT STREETLIGHTS. THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY IMMEDIATELY WAS TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SETTING TO ON RATHER THAN AUTO. THIS ALSO HAPPENED THIS MORNING AS IT WAS RAINING BUT I FIGURED THAT WAS DUE TO GLOOMY WEATHER.

NHTSA ID

11350639

Incident

Aug 16, 2020

Mileage

42,200 mi

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AUTO, I PUT THE TURN SIGNAL ON, AND ALL LIGHTS (INTERIOR, DASH, AND HEADLIGHTS) RANDOMLY GO OUT. THIS ALSO HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT NIGHT WHEN CHANGING LANES (USING TURN SIGNAL) AND I MUST QUICKLY TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SO I TOOK IT TO CHANTILLY HYUNDAI AND THEY COULD NOT RECREATE IT SO DID NOTHING. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA 5 TIMES, BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ID

11299364

Incident

Jan 6, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T POWER ON UNTIL I SLAM THE DOOR OR GO THROUGH THE TRUNK TO WIGGLE THE BATTERY CABLES. IF I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT IT KNOCKS THE POWER OUT. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEN DARK THE HEADLIGHTS AND GO OFF SUDDENLY THEN FLASH BACK ON.

NHTSA ID

11268501

Incident

Oct 11, 2019

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND BACK ON WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH

NHTSA ID

11206274

Incident

May 8, 2019

Mileage

19,800 mi

ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY IMSPECTED IN OFFICIAL DEALERSHIP, NO ISSUES REPORTED. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THE WIPERS STARTED WORKING WITH THE ENGINE OFF; I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS LEASED WITH ABOUT 10 MONTHS LEFT ON THE LEASE. ON APRIL 13, 2018 AFTER DRIVING FOR 1,5-2 HOURS, I PARKED IT AND WENT TO THE OFFICE FOR 10-15 MINUTES; ON MY WAY BACK TO THE VEHICLE I HEARD THE FIRE TRUCKS COMING; AS I WAS APPROACHING MY VEHICLE I REALIZED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE INSPECTOR REPORTED THE ENGINE EXPLOSION DUE TO MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM. SO BASICALLY HAPPY TO BE ALIVE AS NOBODY KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAD HAPPENED WITH ME AND MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY; SO AFTER MORE THAN 3,5 MONTHS HYUNDAI FINNCIAL STILL DID NOT CLOSE THE CASE ALTHOUGH THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PAYING OFF THE VEHICLE. NOBODY EVER SAID SORRY; I CALL TO HYUNDAI / HYUNDAI FINANCIAL EVERY DAY AND ALL THEY DO IS THEY TRANFER ME FROM ONE DEPARTMENT TO ANOTHER; THE CASE MANAGER ASSIGNED TO OUR CASE NEVER PICKS THE PHONE, NEVER CALLS BACK, TO REACH HIM I NEED TO CALL TO THE SUPERVISOR AND COMPLAIN AND ONLY THAN I RECEIVE A CALL FROM HIM. 2 MONTHS AGO HE STATED HE WOULD CLOSE THE CASE THE COMING MONDAY. NO ACTIONS SINCE THEN SO FAR.

NHTSA ID

11109846

Incident

Apr 13, 2018