Hyundai is recalling 94,622 vehicles in the US — 54,644 model year 2015–2016 Hyundai Genesis sedans and 39,978 model year 2017–2020 Genesis G80 sedans — according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers non-memory powered front seats: the seat slider and height adjustment control switch can become dislodged or damaged when subjected to external force, potentially causing the switch to remain engaged and the seat adjustment motor to run continuously, even after the occupant exits the vehicle.

Prolonged motor operation may result in overheating, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire while driving or parked.

What makes this one stranger still is that a humble seat-adjustment switch — not a battery pack or fuel line — is the suspected culprit.

Fox Business reports Hyundai said in a statement that a damaged switch can leave the seat motor running continuously, and the automaker is still developing the remedy, which stretches out the disruption for owners of otherwise ordinary, aging sedans.

The warning signs NHTSA identifies are a burning odor in the cabin and inoperative power seat control switches, either of which may indicate the control has been damaged and the motor is overheating.

Hyundai estimates only about 1 percent of the recalled population actually has the defect, but the company is aware of two alleged US fire incidents tied to the issue.

Fortunately, as of October 1 there have been no related crashes or injuries reported in the United States, which Hyundai noted in its statement to Fox Business.

Finimize reports that the recall's front power-seat switches come from Nidec Mobility Korea Corporation, and that analyst Kazuyoshi Saito of Iwai Cosmo Securities flagged the recall as an added headache for Nidec while it is already dealing with an accounting scandal and pressure around staying listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Once a recall is traced to a specific part supplier, carmakers can seek warranty chargebacks covering parts, labor and dealer logistics, and safety issues can trigger product-liability claims — costs that don't shrink much just because the suspected defect rate is low.

AOL reports this is far from Hyundai's only seat-related defect this year: the most serious was a powered rear seat in the Palisade SUV that tragically trapped and killed a young child, followed by a stop-sale and recall of over 61,000 Palisades.

In April 2026, almost 300,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles were recalled for seat belt anchors that could detach in a crash, and nearly 50,000 Kona crossovers were recalled for failing seat belt buckles.

Though the issues are unrelated, Hyundai maintains a generally strong safety record with many models earning IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards.

Hyundai is urging owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until a repair has been performed.

When the remedy is available, repairs at a Hyundai dealer or Genesis retailer will be free regardless of warranty status, and Hyundai will reimburse owners for out-of-pocket expenses. Owners can call Hyundai at 1-855-371-9460, using recall numbers 308 (Hyundai) or 035G (Genesis), per AOL.