If You Drive a Hyundai or a Kia, Your Gas Tank May Be in Danger of Melting

While it’s rare for two different makes of vehicles to get recalled for the same issue, it can absolutely happen. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released two briefs about Kia and Hyundai vehicles that are dangerous. If you own one of the vehicles in question, you may now have to worry about your fuel tank melting.

Why Are Kia and Hyundai Recalling So Many Vehicles?

According to the NHTSA brief, both makes of car have the same issue: a damaged check valve. When this happens, it “can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.” If that sounds bad to you, you’re correct. The NHTSA warns that “a melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.”

Which Vehicles Run the Risk of Their Fuel Tank Melting?

Over 250,000 Kia vehicles have this issue, including the:

• 2021 K5
• 2022 K5
• 2023 K5
• 2024 K5

When it comes to Hyundai, over 85,000 of their vehicles are impacted including the:

• 2020 Sonata
• 2021 Sonata
• 2022 Sonata
• 2023 Sonata

In both cases, owner letters are set to be mailed out in mid-January 2026 so you’ll get confirmation then about whether or not your vehicle is at risk of its fuel tank melting.

How Will Kia and Hyudai Fix this Fire Hazard?

The remedy is similar, regardless of which make you own.

Kia

If you own a Kia, “dealers will replace the check valve. The fuel tank will be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary.” Kia also states that all repairs will be performed free of charge.

If you have any further questions, contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC356 and the NHTSA number for this recall is 25V794000. Beginning December 1, 2025, you can also look up your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website to see if your vehicle is included in the recall.

Hyundai

If you own a Hyundai, “dealers will inspect and replace the check valve. The fuel tank assembly will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary.” The brief concludes by saying that “dealers will inspect and update the engine control unit software.” Hyundai reassures its customers that “all repairs will be performed as necessary, free of charge.”

If you have any further questions, contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 286, and the NHTSA number for this recall is 25V796000. As of November 19, 2025, you can check your vehicle’s VIN on the NHTSA website to see if it is included in this recall.

Sources

Fuel Tank May Leak (Kia), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2025.

Fuel Tank May Leak (Hyundai), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2025.

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