Hyundai Motor America has issued a safety recall that includes 12,612 units of the 2010 through 2013 Genesis Coupe model years. As it happens, the ignition lock switch return spring may break, causing the vehicle to move unintentionally when it is started in gear.
All of the recalled vehicles were produced with a manual transmission rather than the optional automatic transmission. Designated BK, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe was offered with a five-speed automatic, six-speed automatic, eight-speed automatic, and a six-speed manual transmission.
The affected population was assembled at the Ulsan main plant in South Korea between December 19, 2008 and April 9, 2012. The ignition interlock switch was manufactured by South Korean automotive supplier INFAC. According to documents filed with the U.S. auto safety regulator, Hyundai Auto Canada began investigating this issue on May 17, 2023 following a request for information from Transport Canada.
This request was related to a complaint alleging involuntary movement when the start/stop button was pressed. Also in May 2023, the Data Review Committee received a Speak Up For Safety report alleging a Canadian vehicle involved in a crash that reported sudden, involuntary movement when the engine was started.
The matter was escalated to the Technical Review Committee in June 2023, which successfully replicated the defect condition two months later. Initially, the automaker noted a low rate of occurrence. By the end of the investigation, Hyundai was aware of three reports of accidents involving vehicles in the U.S. market. Fortunately, there were no associated fires, injuries, or fatalities.
Photo: Hyundai
In June 2024, the automaker confirmed that 2010 to 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe vehicles employ a unique clutch pedal design that could cause the ignition lock switch to fail prematurely. Hyundai Motor Company improved the design in 2012, which explains the aforementioned April 9, 2012 cutoff date for the recalled vehicle population.
Not surprisingly, field data indicated that the spring overhaul eliminated complaints of broken switches. Hyundai’s North American Safety Decision Authority ultimately issued a safety recall for all affected 2010 to 2013 models sold in North America, with Transport Canada listing 5,201 of them. The recall numbers for Canada and the United States are listed as 2024-431 and 24V-562.
INFAC introduced the revised spring into production ignition interlock switch in March 2012. Of course, the remedy is a replacement ignition interlock switch rather than just the revised spring. Owners in the U.S. market will be notified of the recall via first class mail on or about September 23.
Twinned with the first-generation Hyundai Genesis, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe was discontinued in 2016. A successor has yet to be revealed, although the Genesis X Speedium Coupe concept is rumored to be headed toward production. Since said concept is based on a Electric vehicle-vehicle architecture focused, don't expect a manual gearbox.