Canadian drivers are being urged to check whether their vehicle is affected after Hyundai announced a major recall involving more than 80,000 vehicles across the country due to a software issue that could unexpectedly trigger emergency braking and increase the risk of a collision.
According to a recall notice issued by Transport Canada, a software defect in the front camera system of certain Hyundai vehicles may cause the Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) system to activate improperly. The malfunction could result in the vehicle applying the brakes suddenly even when there is no obstacle or danger ahead.
Transport Canada warned that unexpected braking while driving could catch motorists off guard, increasing the likelihood of rear-end collisions and other roadway accidents. The safety concern affects certain 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz models as well as 2025 and 2026 Hyundai Tucson vehicles, including gasoline-powered, hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.
The issue is linked to the front camera software, which plays a key role in the vehicle’s advanced driver-assistance technologies. If the system incorrectly interprets road conditions or objects, it may activate the automatic braking feature without warning.
Hyundai has advised that owners of affected vehicles will receive notification letters instructing them to visit an authorized dealership, where technicians will update the front camera software free of charge.
The Canadian recall follows a much larger action in the United States earlier this month, where Hyundai recalled more than 400,000 vehicles over the same defect. U.S. safety regulators reported that software problems within the front camera system could cause the Forward Collision Avoidance system to engage prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
The latest recall comes only days after Hyundai announced another safety campaign involving approximately 6,000 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid vehicles from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 model years. In that case, the company cited concerns that a component within the hybrid system could overheat, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to verify whether their vehicle is included in the recall by checking their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through Hyundai Canada or Transport Canada recall databases. Safety experts recommend that affected owners arrange for the software update as soon as possible to ensure the proper operation of the collision avoidance system and reduce potential safety risks on the road.
As automakers continue to rely on increasingly sophisticated driver-assistance technologies, recalls such as this highlight the growing importance of software reliability in modern vehicles, where a single programming error can have significant consequences for driver safety.