1600 hydrogen cars recalled due to potential fire risk with faulty pressure valve | CTIF - International Association of Fire Services for Safer Citizens through Skilled Firefighters

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A defective pressure relief valve on the hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo SUV can result in a cloud of hydrogen gas forming around the vehicle, significantly increasing the risk of fire, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

This issue is part of the ongoing concern that prompted Hyundai's recent recall of Nexo SUVs, spanning model years 2019 to 2024, in the U.S. and Canada.

Hyundai is urging owners of nearly 1,600 Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to park them outdoors and away from buildings due to a potential risk of fuel leaks and fire.

According to documents released by U.S. safety regulators on Thursday, the issue stems from a pressure relief device that could fail, leading to a hydrogen leak. This poses a fire risk, even when the vehicles are stationary.

While Hyundai has stated that the vehicles remain safe to drive, it is advising owners to park them outside until necessary repairs can be completed.

According to CarAndDriver.com, the NHTSA documents state that only about 1 percent of the recalled vehicles are expected to have the defect.

Photo Credit: Photo from the GPA Photo Archive, Flickr Commons Licence.

Test vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel, at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado. Photo by Dennis Schroeder / NREL. 2016.