Clearwater, FL — Hyundai Tucson Recall: Defective Trailer Wiring Harness Creates Fire Risk in Thousands of Vehicles

Clearwater, FL (December 30th, 2025) – Hyundai has issued a recall affecting thousands of Tucson SUVs due to a defective trailer wiring harness that poses a serious fire risk. The recall impacts certain 2022-2023 Hyundai Tucson models equipped with factory-installed trailer wiring harnesses that may have been improperly installed, potentially causing electrical shorts and vehicle fires even when the vehicle is parked and turned off.

For Clearwater drivers who own affected Hyundai Tucson vehicles, this recall raises important questions about product safety and manufacturer responsibility. If you’ve experienced property damage, injuries, or losses related to a defective vehicle component, a defective product lawyer can help you understand your legal options. Contact Light & Wyatt Law Group at 727-499-9900 to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.

Understanding the Hyundai Tucson Recall

According to the recall notice, the trailer wiring harness in certain Hyundai Tucson models may have been installed incorrectly during manufacturing. When improperly routed, the harness can contact the vehicle’s body or sharp edges, causing the protective coating to wear away over time. This deterioration can lead to exposed wiring that creates an electrical short circuit.

The consequences of this defect are potentially severe. An electrical short in the trailer wiring system can generate excessive heat and sparks, creating a fire hazard. What makes this defect particularly dangerous is that fires can occur even when the vehicle is parked with the engine off, putting drivers, passengers, and property at risk without warning.

Hyundai dealers will inspect affected vehicles and properly reroute and secure the trailer wiring harness at no cost to owners. The company has also advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall repair is completed.

Injuries and Losses from Vehicle Fire Hazards

Vehicle fires caused by defective components can result in catastrophic consequences. Occupants may suffer severe burn injuries, smoke inhalation, or traumatic injuries while attempting to escape a burning vehicle. In the worst cases, vehicle fires can lead to fatalities.

Beyond physical injuries, victims may experience significant property damage. A vehicle fire typically destroys the car itself, often totaling what may be one of a family’s most valuable assets. Fires that occur in garages or near homes can spread, causing extensive damage to real property and personal belongings.

For Clearwater residents who depend on their vehicles for work, family obligations, and daily activities, the loss of a vehicle creates immediate practical and financial hardships. Victims may face medical expenses, lost wages due to injuries or lack of transportation, rental car costs, and the expense of replacing a destroyed vehicle. The emotional trauma of experiencing or witnessing a vehicle fire can also have lasting psychological effects.

Even when recalls are issued promptly, owners may have already suffered harm before becoming aware of the defect. Some owners may not receive recall notices due to outdated registration information, while others may experience incidents before manufacturers identify and announce the problem.

Product Liability Law in Florida

When a defective product causes harm, Florida law provides multiple pathways for injured consumers to seek compensation. Under Florida’s product liability statutes, manufacturers, distributors, and sellers can be held accountable when defective products cause injury, property damage, or economic losses.

Florida recognizes three primary types of product defects. Manufacturing defects occur when a product deviates from its intended design during production, such as an improperly installed wiring harness. Design defects exist when a product’s design itself is inherently dangerous, even when manufactured correctly. Marketing defects, also known as “failure to warn,” involve inadequate instructions or warnings about known risks.

A defective product lawyer in Florida can pursue claims under strict liability, negligence, or breach of warranty theories. Strict liability is particularly significant because it does not require proving the manufacturer was negligent—only that the product was defective and unreasonably dangerous, and that the defect caused the plaintiff’s injuries or losses.

Manufacturer Responsibility and Legal Accountability

When a vehicle manufacturer identifies a safety defect and issues a recall, it demonstrates awareness that the product poses an unreasonable risk to consumers. However, a recall alone does not compensate individuals who have already suffered injuries or property damage due to the defect.

Under Florida law, manufacturers have a duty to design, manufacture, and sell products that are reasonably safe for their intended use. When a company fails to meet this obligation, and that failure results in harm, the manufacturer may be held liable for resulting damages. This responsibility exists regardless of whether the manufacturer acted with reasonable care, provided the product was defective and unreasonably dangerous.

In cases involving defective vehicle components, determining liability requires examining several factors. These include when the defect occurred in the manufacturing process, whether the manufacturer knew or should have known about the defect, how quickly the company responded upon discovering the problem, and whether adequate warnings were provided to consumers.

A defective product lawyer can investigate whether the manufacturer failed to implement adequate quality control measures, ignored warning signs of potential defects, or delayed issuing a recall despite knowing about safety risks. Legal accountability may extend beyond just repairing the defect to include compensation for all harm caused by the defective product.

Legal Representation for Clearwater Residents

Florida consumers who have suffered injuries or property damage from defective products have a limited time to pursue legal claims. The statute of limitations for product liability cases in Florida is generally four years from the date of injury, though specific circumstances can affect this timeframe.

Documenting the connection between a defective product and resulting harm requires thorough investigation and often expert testimony. An experienced attorney can preserve critical evidence, obtain manufacturing records, consult with engineering experts, and build a compelling case for compensation.

Light & Wyatt Law Group understands the challenges Clearwater families face when defective products cause serious harm. Our legal team has experience handling complex product liability cases and works to hold manufacturers accountable for placing dangerous products in the marketplace.

If you own a recalled Hyundai Tucson or have experienced vehicle problems that may be related to defective components, don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact Light & Wyatt Law Group at 727-499-9900 for a consultation with a knowledgeable defective product lawyer who can evaluate your situation and explain your legal options.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association