South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Corp has decided to recall approximately 135,000 Santa Fe sport utility vehicles (SUVs) due to an increased risk of fire in the event of a collision, according to documents submitted to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The documents indicate a potential defect in the installation of the engine start unit cover in some 2024 and 2025 Santa Fe models that could cause a fire if a collision occurs.

This potential issue affects only non-hybrid Santa Fe models, all equipped with Hyundai’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

According to NHTSA documents, the engine start unit in affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a cover not fully secured over the positive terminal. Depending on the severity of the crash, if the engine compartment is deformed improperly, the uncovered terminal might contact the cooling fan assembly, causing an electrical short and a possible fire.

Hyundai noted that it became aware of a fire in one vehicle of this model during a New Car Assessment Program test, but it has not received any reports of similar incidents occurring during normal road use.

The automotive news site Car and Driver reported that Hyundai will begin notifying dealers and owners of the recall starting December 1, allowing owners to take their vehicles to local dealers for inspection and replacement of the engine start unit covers if necessary.