The entire point of brake lights on a car are to indicate to others that the driver has pressed the brake, so it’s a bit of a problem when that fails to happen, or when pressing the brake doesn’t disengage the vehicle’s cruise control like it should. And thus we have the reason why 1.7 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles are being recalled.

Additionally, Hyundai is recalling 186,000 cars for airbag concerns. More on that below.

First, the brake issue, which affects vehicles from the following makes and model years:
HYUNDAI
Accent: 2007-2009
Elantra: 2007-2010
Genesis Coupe: 2010-2011
Santa Fe: 2007-2011
Sonata: 2011
Tucson: 2007-2009
Veracruz: 2008-2009

KIA
Optima: 2011
Rondo: 2007-2010
Sedona: 2007
Sorento: 2007-2010
Soul: 2010-2011
Sportage: 2007-2010

According to the recall notice, the stop lamp switch in these vehicles may malfunction, causing the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is used. The malfunction may also cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal.

There’s more. The glitchy switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and causing the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified in the coming months (Kia gives a date of May, but Hyundai does not mention a month). Dealers will replace the questionable switch free of charge. Kia owners with questions can call 1-800-333-4542, while the Hyundai number is 1-800-633-5151.

Hyundai and Kia will notify owners and dealers will replace the switches free of charge. Kia will send notifications in May, while Hyundai expects to send them in June, after enough replacement parts are shipped to dealers.

Now for the Elantra recall, which covers model years 2011 through 2013. Hyundai says a support bracket for the air bag can come loose when the bag is deployed, posing a laceration threat. To remedy the issue, Hyundai dealers will affix adhesive strips to the bracket to keep it in place. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified later this year, but can call 1-800-633-5151 with questions.

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