Hyundai recalls fuel cells, suggests parking outside

The Korean automaker notified transportation officials of a safety recall of over 1,500 hydrogen-powered SUVs, according to a letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A pressure relief device in the car’s fuel cell may break and leak hydrogen gas and potentially cause the parked car to catch fire, according to the Wednesday letter from the agency’s chief of recall management. Hyundai advised owners to park the affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recalled parts are replaced, according to the letter.

The directive seemed to clash with the automaker’s online marketing where it described hydrogen as a safer fuel alternative. Because hydrogen is the lightest element, it quickly disperses into the air, and the chances of a fuel cell leak igniting are low.

How do I know if I’m affected? The company specified that only certain hydrogen-powered Nexos SUVs produced between 2019 and 2024 are being recalled. Formal letters of notification will be mailed in early December, according to the letter. Hyundai dealerships will replace the faulty pressure relief piece for the affected Nexo owners for free, the safety official added.

How do the fuel cells work? Hydrogen can generate energy through an electrochemical reaction rather than the combustion reaction that takes place when gas is burned in a car engine. Hydrogen fuel, recognized as a clean energy source, only leaves behind water, as opposed to carbon dioxide from gas or diesel fuel.

Dig deeper: Read Tobin Jacobson’s report on Biden introducing a tax credit for hydrogen producers last year.