The Fuel Tank in Your Hyundai Sonata or Kia K5 Could Melt
Do you happen to own a Hyundai Sonata or Kia K5? Watch out: according to a new safety recall that’s just been issued, the fuel tank could melt and leak.
More specifically, 5,616 Sonatas from 2020-2023 and 2,737 K5s from 2021-2024 are being recalled nationwide, all of them equipped with the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine.
Transport Canada says the check valve for the purge control system could wear and cause the fuel tank to expand. As a result, the fuel tank could contact hot components and fuel could leak.
When it comes to Hyundai, this recall replaces emissions recall no. ECR-H0003-24-005 (Hyundai recall no. C0566), but the bad news for owners is that cars that were repaired under that recall need to go back to the shop for another repair.
Hyundai and Kia dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the check valve and update the electronic control unit (ECU) software. They will also inspect the fuel tank and surrounding components and repair them, as necessary.
This is only the third recall for the current generation of the Sonata. The two previous ones involved the dual-clutch transmission (oil pump failure) and the trunk release mechanism.
As for the K5, which was discontinued at the end of the 2024 model year in Canada, we’re now counting six recalls. One of them also dealt with a possible fuel leak due to a poorly sealed connection between the high-pressure fuel pipe and fuel pump.