Hyundai Motor America is recalling 94,622 Genesis sedans because a damaged front power-seat switch can leave the seat motor running until it overheats, which can start a fire while the car is parked or being driven. The recall, NHTSA campaign 26V-664, covers 2015-2016 Hyundai Genesis and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 sedans. A repair is not ready yet, so owners are being told to park outdoors, away from other vehicles and buildings.
NHTSA posted the recall this week. Owners can already check their car: VINs became searchable on NHTSA.gov on Oct. 13, and NHTSA posted Hyundai's dealer notices on Oct. 15.
What goes wrong with the seat switch
According to Hyundai's Part 573 safety recall report, the switch that moves the front seat forward, back, up and down on non-memory power seats can be dislodged or damaged by an outside impact. When that happens, the switch can stay engaged and keep the seat motor running, even after the driver or passenger has left the car. Over time the motor can overheat.
Hyundai lists two warning signs: a burning smell from the seat and a seat control switch that no longer works. The supplier is Nidec Mobility Korea, and the recall covers both the driver's and front passenger's switch assemblies.
Vehicles covered by recall 26V-664
| Model | Model years | Built | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Genesis sedan | 2015-2016 | Feb. 21, 2014 - Feb. 24, 2016 | 54,644 |
| Genesis G80 | 2017-2020 | Mar. 17, 2016 - Nov. 7, 2019 | 39,978 |
| Total | 94,622 |
Source: Hyundai Motor America Part 573 report to NHTSA, submitted Oct. 8, 2026. Both models were built in South Korea.
Hyundai estimates that about 1% of the cars have the defect. It says it knows of two alleged fires in the U.S. and no related crashes or injuries.
Why the recall is coming now
The problem is not new to Hyundai. Its chronology says it first heard of it through a Dec. 31, 2021, report involving a 2018 G80, learned of a second case in August 2022, and recovered that car's seat in late 2023, when the parent company confirmed that an outside impact had damaged the switch. Hyundai kept monitoring after that, and a 2025 review found no additional confirmed U.S. fires. On July 2, 2026, it received new information about seat-switch overheating claims from the Korean market. Its safety committee decided on a U.S. recall on Oct. 1.
What owners should do
Hyundai is still developing the remedy, which will be free regardless of warranty status. Owner letters are expected to go out Dec. 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Hyundai says it will also reimburse owners for eligible out-of-pocket repair costs under its reimbursement plan. Until the fix is available, NHTSA's guidance is to park outside. Hyundai's recall number is 308, and Genesis's is 035G.
Owners who are uneasy about driving the car in the meantime have another option. In its Oct. 9 notice to dealers, Hyundai tells them to offer affected customers a loaner car while the remedy is developed, or a third-party rental or rideshare if no loaner is available, at no cost. Dealers are also told to help owners who notice a burning smell near the front seats or a seat switch that has stopped working. There is no stop-sale, because none of these cars are still sold new, but dealers must fix recalled used cars before selling them once a remedy exists.
