Hyundai Santa Fe catches fire after dealership repair, owner seeks answers

A Torontoarea driver says his Hyundai Santa Fe caught fire on Highway 401 in June, only a day after it had been serviced at a dealership. Jason Pelletier said he escaped just before the vehicle exploded, and he is still waiting for a final explanation and additional compensation. Pelletier said he had taken the SUV in for a head gasket repair and noticed a burning smell shortly afterward. The next morning, the vehicle displayed a warning about a possible engine control issue before flames and smoke emerged from the hood during his commute north of Toronto. Hyundai Canada said safety remains a top priority and that the case is still under review. Transport Canada says it has received reports of vehicle fires across many brands over the past decade, including 168 involving Hyundai, while investigators continue to examine whether vehicle fires in some cases are linked to maintenance, defects, or other causes.