Yahoo Autos Nearly Every Hyundai Nexo Recalled for Emitting Hydrogen Gas
Hyundai's recall of 1545 Hyundai Nexo SUVs accounts for nearly all examples of the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle sold in the U.S. since 2019.
A glass safety device, designed to emit hydrogen gas if the fuel tanks overheat to prevent over-pressurization, could develop cracks that let the gas escape prematurely. Hyundai will replace it with a metal unit instead.
Owners of affected vehicles are asked to park "outside and away from structures" until the recall is carried out because of the risk of fire.
In the classic James Bond film Goldfinger, Agent 007 deploys a smokescreen from his Aston Martin DB5, blinding a group of baddies who were in hot pursuit and sending their Mercedes careening into a tree. But if you aren't an international spy being chased by evil henchmen and simply own a Hyundai Nexo, then a trail of white fog behind your car is cause for concern. It also probably means your hydrogen-powered SUV is one of 1545 Nexos being recalled for a faulty safety device, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall affects the Hyundai Nexo from the 2019 to 2024 model years, amounting to 1545 vehicles in total. That may not seem like a lot of cars, but given that Hyundai began selling the Nexo in the United States in 2019 and only moves a few hundred units each year, that number accounts for virtually every example of the hydrogen fuel-cell SUV on the road. The NHTSA documents state that only about 1 percent of the recalled vehicles are expected to have the defect, however.
The issue stems from the Thermally-activated Pressure Relief Device (TPRD), which is supposed to vent hydrogen gas to the atmosphere if the hydrogen fuel tanks overheat to avoid over-pressurization of the tanks. The TPRD features a glass bulb that is designed to fracture if a specific temperature is reached, releasing the hydrogen gas and thus maintaining a safe pressure for the fuel tanks.
According to the NHTSA documents, however, micro-cracks in the glass can cause the bulb to break before the required temperature is reached, instead emitting hydrogen gas during normal vehicle operation. NHTSA notes that if the gas is released within the presence of an ignition source, there is a risk for a fire.
If the bulb breaks, a white cloud will appear at the rear of the Nexo, and drivers will hear a loud wind-like noise. The fuel gauge will also quickly deplete and a malfunction light will illuminate on the gauge cluster.
Hyundai's fix will be to replace the glass bulb with a metal TPRD, and the new unit started being installed on new Nexos starting on May 21, 2024. Hyundai says that Nexo owners can continue driving their SUVs until the TPRD has been replaced, but recommends parking away from buildings and other structures. Hyundai will notify all affected owners via mail on December 10 and will fix the TPRD for free. Before then, Nexo owners can check the NHTSA recalls website to see if their vehicle is impacted.
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