Hyundai, Kia to Fix Displays That Go Blank While Driving
Several Hyundai and Kia models are now equipped with a large digital interface combining the instrument cluster and infotainment system. It not only looks sharp, but also proves user-friendly—at least when it works.
Some owners report that the 12.3-inch instrument cluster display reboots for no apparent reason or goes blank for a certain period of time while driving. One of our colleagues here at The Car Guide endured this very problem for over an hour during a recent test drive of the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV.
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Obviously, when this happens, drivers can no longer see important vehicle data such as the speedometer, fuel gauge or charge level, warning lights and malfunction tell-tales.
The two companies have discovered that the issue stems from a software error and will therefore recall approximately 11,500 units in Canada including 8,879 Hyundais and 2,270 Kias. We’re talking about brand new vehicles, most of them from the 2026 model year, regardless of the powertrain.
More specifically, affected models include the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 9, Kona, Palisade, Santa Fe and Sonata and 2025-2026 Tucson as well as the 2026 Kia Carnival, EV4, EV9, Sorento (hybrid and PHEV only) and Sportage and 2025 K4.
The good news is that the repair can be done remotely via an over-the-air software update that will be available soon. Of course, owners can also schedule an appointment to have the update performed at a dealership.
