Software Error Causes Instrument Cluster Blackouts in 84,000 Genesis Luxury Models
Hyundai Motor America issued a massive safety recall on Friday affecting nearly 84,000 Genesis luxury vehicles, the automaker discovered a critical software defect that causes the digital dashboard to crash while driving. This malfunction creates a significant safety hazard by depriving drivers of vital information like speed and fuel levels, the company is moving quickly to address the violation of federal safety standards.
Software Issues Plague Automakers Amid Push for Digital Cockpits
The automotive industry is currently grappling with the complexities of transitioning to fully digital interfaces, this shift has led to a spike in software-related defects across the market. Genesis Motor previously recalled 36,000 vehicles in early 2025 for similar flickering screens, that incident involved a different logic error from a supplier. These repeated technical failures highlight the growing pains associated with modern software-defined vehicles, regulators are paying closer attention to how digital reliance impacts basic driver safety.
NHTSA Investigation Uncovers Logic Conflict Causing System Reboots
Engineers identified a specific data conflict within the Audio-Video-Navigation system as the root cause of the blackout, the system attempts to save HD Radio and analog radio data to the exact same memory location simultaneously. This technical error is known as a race condition, it forces the entire instrument cluster to reboot while the vehicle is in motion. The screen remains completely blank for five to ten seconds before restoring the display, this leaves the driver blind to their speed and vehicle status during the reboot cycle.
Affected Models and Incident Reports
The recall covers a wide range of 2025 and 2026 models including the G80 sedan and the GV60, GV70, and GV80 SUVs. Hyundai confirmed it has received 237 incident reports in the United States since September 2024, fortunately there are no confirmed crashes or injuries linked to this specific defect. The sheer volume of affected units represents a significant logistical challenge for the brand, the company must ensure the fix reaches all owners promptly to prevent accidents.
Owners Face Temporary Workaround Until Permanent Fix Arrives
This malfunction violates federal safety standards that mandate continuous visibility of key driving data, the loss of a speedometer at highway speeds presents an immediate collision risk. Genesis is advising owners to manually disable HD Radio in their settings as a temporary safety measure until the official patch is ready. A permanent software remedy will be distributed via over-the-air updates starting in mid-March, this allows most owners to repair their vehicles without physically visiting a dealership.
Federal regulators are expected to increase scrutiny on digital-only dashboard designs following this large-scale failure, officials urge all affected owners to check their vehicle status immediately to ensure road safety.
