Hyundai Sonata Turn Signal May Activate In Wrong Direction

Hyundai plans to notify owners of certain 2015-2017 Sonata vehicles to return their vehicles to their Hyundai dealers to have the Smart Junction Box software logic updated.

In August 2020, Hyundai began an investigation into certain 2015-2017 Sonata's after receiving complaints of turn signal malfunctions. The alleged conditions of the malfunction varied in misdirection by one or more turn signal lamps during normal operation.

Kia expanded their investigation to include other Kia models and found that while some vehicles used the same multi-function switch as the subject vehicles, there were no similar turn signal misdirection claims. Kia also noted the Smart Junction Box software logic used in the subject vehicles originated from a different supplier than other vehicles equipped with the same multi-function switch. Confirmation of a software logic change during the latter part of 2017 Sedona vehicle production, determined that the The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multi-function switch in certain circumstances. As a result, the turn signal may intermittently activate in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

If the condition occurs, the unintended turn signal direction will be visible to the driver on the instrument cluster.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the SJB software updated. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-749.