2021 Genesis GV80 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 5, 2026 · Filed: October 6, 2026

I am writing this complaint concerning the headlight assembly issue that applies to my vehicle. The headlight has a well documented record of suddenly failing. To my knowledge there has never been an official recall from Genesis to address this issue. The issue definitely causes a safety issue and the repair of this issue is not a straight forward matter. From the various reports i have read it is a design flaw that was never addressed and it is something that fails repeatedly. With an average repair cost of between $2500 to $4500 plus labor to repair a component that is essential to safely operating the vehicle this is a huge concern for me.

Incident: August 3, 2026 · Filed: October 5, 2026

On two separate occasions, my 2021 Genesis GV80 experienced a sudden loss of motive power while driving on Interstate 75 in Atlanta, Georgia, creating an extreme crash hazard. The first incident occurred on August 3, 2026. While traveling at highway speed in heavy traffic, I attempted to change lanes and pressed the accelerator. The vehicle did not respond — instead of accelerating, it crept along at low speed while surrounding traffic continued at approximately 80 mph. I was nearly struck by multiple vehicles and was only able to avoid a collision by steering back into my lane. The second incident occurred under the same circumstances on I-75 on but I don't recall the exact date. Again, when I attempted to change lanes and accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond and I was nearly hit by fast-moving traffic. Both of these occasions were terrifying. On August 11, 2026, I brought the vehicle to the dealership, where the entire transmission and heater box were replaced (vehicle in shop 29 days). Despite this major repair, the drivability problems continued — the engine RPMs race to 4 and 5 before the transmission shifts gears, and the vehicle drives roughly and feels unresponsive. The vehicle is currently at the dealership for replacement of the electric water pump. I am concerned this vehicle has an unresolved defect affecting acceleration and motive power that could cause a serious crash. The dealer's repairs have not corrected it.

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: September 8, 2026

Air conditioner evaporator core failure. Air conditioner stopped working. Took vehicle to shop and was told by dealer this was a common problem and that TSB 25-HA-002G was issued concerning this problem. After researching vehicle online, I found a Facebook page with numerous other owners having the same problem. Local dealer told me it would cost 3700 to repair. This vehicle is five years old and although the Genesis Corporations is aware of the problem (TSB) they seem to be pushing the repair of a defective product off onto the customers.

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: September 2, 2026

This complaint concerns Manufacturer Recall 033G (NHTSA Recall 26V229000) for a fuel crossover pipe with retention fasteners that may loosen over time, creating a fuel leak and engine compartment fire risk. The vehicle has not yet received the recall remedy because the nearest authorized Genesis retailer capable of performing the repair is over 620 miles round trip. The recall filing states that Genesis will reimburse owners for out-of-pocket expenses incurred to obtain the remedy, in accordance with a reimbursement plan submitted to NHTSA on March 2, 2026. I contacted Genesis's National Consumer Affairs team and requested written pre-approval of round-trip transportation costs consistent with that filed reimbursement plan, so I could arrange transport without paying out of pocket on an uncertain after-the-fact review. Genesis responded that they are unable to provide advance approval or written authorization for any round-trip transportation, mileage, fuel, or other travel-related costs. They stated only that a one-way tow may be considered for reimbursement after the recall is completed, subject to review and approval, with no commitment on the return trip. As a result, completing this safety recall requires me to pay for transportation costs out of pocket with no guarantee of reimbursement, despite Genesis's own filed commitment to reimburse expenses incurred to obtain the remedy. This creates a practical barrier to completing a safety recall that is supposed to be free of charge, particularly for owners who do not live near an authorized retailer. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether Genesis's actual practice is consistent with the reimbursement plan it submitted for this recall.

Incident: July 18, 2026 · Filed: August 19, 2026

Component Affected: Electrical / Interior Cabin Comfort / HVAC SystemsDescription of Defect:I am reporting an active thermal defect in the dashboard footprint of my 2021 Genesis GV80 AWD 3.5T. Following a 35-to-40-minute dynamic road test under engine load, severe heat migrates directly from the engine compartment into the passenger cabin. The instrument cluster panel and surrounding dashboard structures reach an extreme, verified temperature of 110°F, while the adjacent passenger vents measure standard cooling at 80°F.This severe cabin heat soak began immediately following an authorized dealership replacement of the air conditioning evaporator coil, requiring complete dashboard disassembly. The thermal failure strongly indicates a compromised bulkhead/firewall seal, displaced steering column boot, or an uninstalled engine-bay thermal insulation blanket, which allows high-temperature engine bay heat and air pressure to blow directly into the vehicle's internal electronic housing components.Safety Hazard:An instrument cluster panel reaching 110°F poses an immediate safety hazard. It creates a severe cabin driver distraction, generates a risk of physical burns upon contact with vehicle instrumentation, and risks causing a thermal breakdown or electrical fire within the vehicle's primary digital dashboard wiring harness.Dealer/Manufacturer Actions:Two separate authorized Genesis retailers have refused to conduct a 40-minute dynamic road test to recreate the thermal failure. Technicians performed only a brief, 3-minute static idle test inside a shop bay and declared the vehicle "operating as designed." Genesis Motor America corporate customer care has used these insufficient 3-minute static shop tests to prematurely close my consumer safety case. The manufacturer refuses to diagnose this vehicle under dynamic driving loads or inspect the firewall seals under the 12-month dealer repair workmanship warranty. No crash or injury has occurred yet, but the thermal risk remain

Incident: July 15, 2026 · Filed: August 16, 2026

I am filing an official complaint against Genesis Motor America for failing to provide a free and accessible remedy for an active, mandatory safety recall on my 2021 Genesis GV80 Genesis has closed and removed all physical dealerships from my entire state, creating an absolute geographic barrier to service. Corporate representatives have acknowledged the safety risk and offered to tow the vehicle 400 miles to the nearest out-of-state dealership. However, they are refusing to provide a round-trip transport return ticket, demanding instead that I personally travel 400 miles out of state to retrieve the vehicle upon completion of the safety repair. Furthermore, they refuse to provide a direct-billed loaner vehicle or alternative mobility, instead instructing me to pay out-of-pocket for an open-ended rental and apply for a "case-by-case" reimbursement later. Under federal law, safety recalls must be executed entirely free of charge and without placing undue logistical or financial burdens on the consumer. By forcing a 400-mile retrieval trip and open-ended financial exposure for alternative transit, Genesis is violating the "free remedy" provision of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. I request that the NHTSA review Genesis Motor America's handling of recall compliance for owners stranded by their recent dealer network restructuring.

Incident: June 23, 2026 · Filed: June 24, 2026

On June 23, 2026, while operating my 2021 Genesis GV80, the vehicle's entire infotainment and system software rebooted without warning as I was leaving a parking lot. As a direct result of this reboot, the driver seat automatically moved out of my saved position. I was no longer able to reach the pedals and could not properly control the vehicle. This incident occurred while the vehicle was in motion. It took me several minutes to safely bring the vehicle to a stop, at which point I turned the car off and restarted it. Upon restart, all of my saved settings had been wiped. This is a safety defect, not a minor software issue. A seat repositioning without driver input while a vehicle is in motion constitutes a loss of vehicle control. Had this occurred at highway speed the consequences could have been fatal. I am aware that Genesis issued Safety Recall 031G for mid-drive infotainment reboots on other GV80 model years. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether this defect extends to 2021 model year vehicles and whether a recall expansion is warranted.

Incident: June 19, 2026 · Filed: June 19, 2026

Vehicle was parked in a residential garage with the engine off. A [XXX] child was secured in a rear driver-side car seat. The key fob was inside the vehicle on the passenger side. After the final door was closed, an adult immediately attempted to reopen the driver's door and found it locked. All vehicle doors were locked despite the key fob remaining inside the vehicle. No warning beeps, alerts, or messages were observed before or during the lockout. The cause is UNKNOWN. The vehicle appeared to lock with the key fob and child occupant inside. The outside temperature was approximately 90°F, and the garage was significantly hotter. The child was trapped inside for approximately 5–7 minutes, crying and visibly sweating. Because access could not be gained through any door, the passenger-side window had to be broken to rescue the child. This incident created a serious safety risk due to heat exposure and the inability to access a child occupant. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or dealer at the time of this report. The suspected malfunction involves the electronic door locking and/or key detection system, but the exact cause is UNKNOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: March 26, 2026 · Filed: May 15, 2026

Vehicle was brought in for a recall repair related to a water leak through the sunroof. The repair took over 30 days. The manufacturer directed me to rent a vehicle from a specific rental company and promised reimbursement at $80 per day. The manufacturer is now refusing to reimburse the full rental duration and has capped reimbursement at 60 dollars per day, leaving me out of pocket. The recall repair was confirmed by the dealer and completed by the dealership.

Incident: May 8, 2025 · Filed: May 6, 2026

AC has failed. It’s a common issue with this year make and model. Evaporator Core