Hyundai warns Nexo owners to park outside due to hydrogen leaks, just in case

Hyundai is urging owners of 2019-2024 Nexo models to park their hydrogen-powered SUVs outside and “away from buildings” due to the risk of hydrogen leaking and catching fire. This recall certainly won’t help the broader hydrogen vehicle market, which has progressed at a snail’s pace in recent years.

According to Hyundai, the affected Nexo models are equipped with a thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD), which vents hydrogen gas into the atmosphere to prevent overpressure in the hydrogen tank when overheating is detected. It releases this hydrogen via a glass release mechanism that shatters when it reaches a certain operating temperature.

Read: 2026 Hyundai Nexo prototype proves hydrogen is here to stay

However, this mechanism can break prematurely due to microcracks in the glass. This could cause hydrogen gas to leak during normal vehicle operation. In an enclosed space with an ignition source, the leak could cause a fire. If a Nexo is suffering from the leak, owners may notice a “loud, whooshing wind noise” and “a white, mist-like cloud” near the rear of the vehicle.

A total of 1,545 Hyundai Nexos in the United States are involved in the recall, all of which were manufactured between August 10, 2018 and August 25, 2023.

Hyundai first began investigating the issue in April after reports of hydrogen gas leaks from Nexo models in South Korea. The cause of the leak was soon found and the decision was made in early October to issue a recall for both the US and Canadian markets. The brand is not aware of any incidents, accidents or fires caused by the error.

Dealers and owners will be notified of the recall on December 10th. All owners are encouraged to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings until they can take their Nexo to a dealer where a new metal TPRD will be installed.