Hyundai Recalls 54,337 Elantra Hybrids Over Hybrid Power Unit That Can Overheat and Catch Fire

Hyundai is recalling 54,337 model year 2024 to 2026 Elantra Hybrid sedans after a transistor inside the Hybrid Power Control Unit was found to overheat under high electrical loads, creating a fire risk. The Hybrid Power Control Unit, often shortened to HPCU, manages power flow between the engine, the electric motor and the battery in a hybrid, so a fault there can affect both performance and safety.

This is a different defect from the smaller Hyundai recalls CARC has covered recently, including a lug-nut issue affecting certain 2026 Venue and Elantra models. Owners should not assume that a car cleared in one recall is cleared in another: each campaign has its own VIN list, and a 2024 to 2026 Elantra Hybrid can be affected by the HPCU recall even if it was never part of the wheel-hardware action.

The reporting seen by CARC does not describe the final remedy in detail, so this article does not claim a specific fix. The standard pattern for a fire-risk hybrid recall is a dealer inspection and replacement of the affected unit free of charge, with interim guidance until parts are available. Elantra Hybrid owners should check their VIN on NHTSA's recall site, watch for Hyundai's official notification, and contact a dealer promptly if they notice warning lights, reduced hybrid performance or burning smells.

Scale matters here for a practical reason: 54,337 cars is a large service population, so appointment waits can stretch once notifications go out. Booking early, as soon as your VIN shows the recall, is the fastest way to get the car closed out and to protect resale value, since open recalls are visible to any buyer who runs a VIN check.