Which Hyundai models have backup camera recalls
Hyundai has issued multiple backup camera recalls across different model years and vehicle lines. The most significant recall involved 2018–2019 Hyundai Elantras, where the backup camera image could fail to display on the infotainment screen, leaving drivers without a view of what is behind the vehicle when in reverse. A separate recall affected certain 2019–2020 Hyundai Venues, where the backup camera connector could corrode or disconnect over time, causing the camera to stop working entirely.
Additional recalls have touched 2020–2021 Hyundai Tucson models and some Elantra GT vehicles, though the specific failure modes vary. The common thread across these recalls is that the backup camera either stops transmitting an image to the dashboard display or the connection degrades to the point where the camera becomes unreliable. Because backup cameras are now standard safety equipment on all new vehicles sold in the United States, Hyundai treats these failures as safety issues rather than convenience problems.
The year and trim level of your vehicle matter significantly. Not every model year of a given vehicle line is affected, and not every trim within an affected year may be included. Your vehicle identification number (VIN) is the only way to know for certain whether your specific car is part of a recall.
Key Takeaways
- Hyundai backup camera recalls have affected Elantras, Venues, Tucsons, and Elantra GTs across model years 2018–2021, though not all trim levels or years within those ranges are included.
- The most common failure is the backup camera image not displaying on the infotainment screen, or the camera connection corroding and disconnecting entirely.
- Your VIN is required to determine whether your specific vehicle is part of a recall, and you can check this through Hyundai's website or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database.
- Hyundai will repair or replace the backup camera system at no cost to you if your vehicle is under recall, and the repair typically takes one to two hours at a dealership.
- If you have already paid out of pocket for a backup camera repair, you may be able to request reimbursement from Hyundai within a certain timeframe after the recall is announced.
How to check if your Hyundai is part of a backup camera recall
Start by locating your vehicle identification number (VIN). This 17-character code appears on your vehicle registration, insurance card, and the dashboard on the driver's side where it meets the windshield. You can also find it on the door jamb of the driver's side door.
Go to the NHTSA website at safercar.gov and select "Check for Recalls" from the homepage. Enter your VIN in the search field, and the system will return a list of all open recalls for your vehicle, including any backup camera recalls. The results will show the recall number, the specific component affected, and the nature of the defect. You can also visit Hyundai's official recall page directly and enter your VIN there, though the NHTSA database is the authoritative source.
If a recall is found, write down the recall number and the description of the defect. This information will be useful when you contact a Hyundai dealership to schedule service. The recall notice will also tell you whether the repair involves replacing the camera itself, the wiring harness, the connector, or the infotainment display unit.
What happens during a backup camera recall repair
When you bring your vehicle to a Hyundai dealership for a backup camera recall, the service department will first confirm that your VIN matches the recall list. They will then perform the repair specified in the recall notice. In most cases, this involves replacing the backup camera unit, the connector assembly, or both, depending on what the recall addresses.
The repair typically takes between one and two hours. During this time, the technician will remove the rear bumper or access panel (depending on the vehicle model), disconnect the old camera or connector, install the new part, and test the system to may support the image displays correctly on the infotainment screen. You will not be charged for parts or labor under a recall repair.
Some dealerships offer loaner vehicles while your car is being serviced, though this is not may provide. Call ahead to ask whether a loaner is available, or arrange for a ride. Once the repair is complete, the dealership will provide you with documentation showing that the recall work was performed and the date it was completed. Keep this paperwork in case you need to prove the repair was done if you later sell the vehicle.
Scheduling your recall repair appointment
Contact your local Hyundai dealership directly by phone or through their website. Tell them you have a backup camera recall and provide your VIN. The service advisor will confirm that your vehicle is part of the recall and will offer you available appointment times. Because recall repairs are free, there is no need to get a quote or authorization from your insurance company.
Dealerships sometimes experience high volumes of recall appointments, especially when a recall first goes into effect. If the earliest available appointment is weeks away, ask whether you can be placed on a cancellation list. You can also contact multiple dealerships in your area to find one with sooner availability. All Hyundai dealerships are authorized to perform recall work on any Hyundai vehicle, regardless of where you purchased it.
Bring your vehicle registration and a photo ID to your appointment. If you have already paid for a backup camera repair before the recall was announced, bring the receipt or invoice as well — you may be able to request reimbursement from Hyundai.
What to do if you already paid for a backup camera repair
If your backup camera failed and you paid a dealership or independent repair shop to fix it before Hyundai announced the recall, you may be may have access to to reimbursement. Hyundai typically honors reimbursement requests for repairs performed within a certain window before the recall announcement, though the exact timeframe varies by recall.
Contact Hyundai's customer service department at 1-800-633-5151 and explain that you paid for a backup camera repair that is now covered under a recall. Provide your VIN, the date of the repair, and the name and location of the repair facility. Have your repair invoice ready to send to Hyundai. They will review your request and determine whether you meet the reimbursement criteria for that specific recall.
Reimbursement requests are not automatic, and Hyundai may deny a request if the repair was performed too long before the recall was announced or if the repair was not for the same component covered by the recall. However, it is worth submitting the request, as many customers have been successful in obtaining reimbursement. The process typically takes four to eight weeks.
What to do if the backup camera still does not work after the recall repair
If you have had the recall repair performed and the backup camera still does not display an image or continues to malfunction, return to the dealership when ready. Explain that the recall repair did not resolve the problem. The service department will investigate further to determine whether the issue is related to the recall or is a separate defect.
If the problem is found to be a different component — such as the infotainment display itself or the vehicle's electrical system — the dealership may need to perform additional diagnostics. If the additional work is not covered under the recall, you may be charged for it, though Hyundai may cover it under the vehicle's warranty depending on the age and mileage of your vehicle.
If you believe the dealership did not perform the recall repair correctly, you can file a complaint with the NHTSA through their SaferCar.gov website. This creates a record of the issue and may prompt Hyundai to investigate further if multiple complaints are received about the same recall.
Understanding the difference between recalls and warranty repairs
A recall is a repair that Hyundai initiates because a defect affects vehicle safety or violates federal safety standards. Hyundai pays for all recall repairs, regardless of your vehicle's age or mileage, and you cannot be charged for parts or labor. The recall is free because the defect is considered a manufacturer responsibility, not a maintenance or wear issue.
A warranty repair is work covered under your vehicle's manufacturer warranty, which typically lasts three years or 36,000 miles. If your backup camera fails outside of a recall but within the warranty period, Hyundai will still repair it at no cost to you. However, once the warranty expires, you will be responsible for paying for any repairs.
If your backup camera fails and there is no active recall for your vehicle, contact your dealership to determine whether the failure is covered under your warranty. Bring your vehicle registration and proof of purchase to establish the warranty status. If the warranty has expired and there is no recall, you will need to pay for the repair out of pocket, though you can shop around for pricing at different dealerships or independent repair shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my backup camera failure is part of a recall or just a defect I have to pay for?
Check your VIN on the NHTSA website or Hyundai's recall page. If a backup camera recall is listed for your vehicle, the repair is free. If no recall is found, check whether your vehicle is still under the manufacturer warranty. If it is, the repair is still free under warranty. If the warranty has expired and there is no recall, you will need to pay for the repair.
Can I take my Hyundai to an independent repair shop instead of a dealership for the recall repair?
Hyundai recalls must be performed at an authorized Hyundai dealership. Independent shops cannot access the recall authorization system or order the specific parts required. However, if you prefer to use an independent shop for non-recall repairs, you can do so at your own expense.
Will the recall repair affect my vehicle's warranty?
No. Recall repairs do not affect your manufacturer warranty. The repair is separate from warranty coverage and does not reset or reduce your remaining warranty period. Your warranty continues as if the recall repair never happened.
What if I no longer own the vehicle when I find out about the recall?
If you sold your vehicle, the new owner is responsible for having the recall repair performed. However, if you paid for a backup camera repair out of pocket before selling the vehicle, you may still be able to request reimbursement from Hyundai if the repair falls within the reimbursement window for that recall.
How long does it take for Hyundai to fix a backup camera recall after it is announced?
There is no set important date for when Hyundai must complete all recall repairs. However, dealerships are required to perform the repair at no cost whenever you bring your vehicle in. The repair itself typically takes one to two hours. The wait time for an appointment depends on dealership availability and how many vehicles are in the recall queue.