Selling a Hyundai Nexo you can't use
The Nexo has more recalls than it has complaints on some years: five campaigns in all, and three of them warn owners to leave the SUV outdoors, clear of garages, over hydrogen leak risks. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA across every model year.
- Model years (EPA)
- 2019-2026
- Powertrain
- Hydrogen fuel cell
- Recall campaigns
- 5 (3 say park outside)
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 22
- Year with the most complaints
- 2020 (7)
- EPA range (first generation)
- 354-380 mi
A Nexo that won't start, or still has open recall work, can be sold as it is. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, the Nexo included, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
Recalls, from widest to narrowest
Two campaigns are shared with other Hyundais, so their vehicle counts are not the Nexo's alone:
- 20V213 (2020). Remote Smart Parking Assist software may not stop the car moving when the system has a fault. Dealers reprogram it. The 11,870 vehicles include 2020 Sonatas.
- 20V748 (2019-2020). The Integrated Electronic Brake system may read an abnormal sensor signal. Dealers update the software. The 8,176 vehicles include 2019-2021 Kona Electrics.
Three are Nexo-only, and each says park outside until fixed:
- 22V228 (2019, 54 vehicles). The hydrogen inlet filter could detach after refueling and cause a leak. Dealers replace the inlet part.
- 22V258 (2019-2021, 922 vehicles). Hydrogen gas detection sensors may fail to detect leaks. Dealers do the replacement.
- 24V761 (2019-2024, 1,545 vehicles). The thermally activated pressure relief device may break and leak hydrogen, which can result in a fire while parked. Dealers replace it.
For 20V213, 20V748 and 24V761, NHTSA's notices state the repair costs owners nothing. Ask a Hyundai dealer about the other two.
Complaints by model year
NHTSA had these owner complaints on file on October 10, 2026. The 2024-2026 cars have spent fewer years on the road, so they have had less time to draw any.
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Named most |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 4 | Brakes, fuel/propulsion, unknown (1 each) |
| 2020 | 7 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion, engine (2 each) |
| 2021 | 5 | 2 | Fuel/propulsion (2) |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion (1) |
| 2023 | 6 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion (3) |
| 2024-2026 | 0 | - | - |
No complaint reports a crash, fire or injury. Across all years, the fuel and propulsion system is named 9 times. Recall 24V761 also reaches the 2024.
Generations
Wikipedia lists two. The first generation (FE) was built from 2018 to 2025 in Ulsan, South Korea, with an EPA range of 354-380 miles. It replaced the ix35 FCEV. A second generation (NH2) began production in 2025. In South Korea, Wikipedia says, the fuel cell parts came with a 10-year or 160,000 km warranty; ask a Hyundai dealer what applies to a US car.
Fix, wait or sell?
Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup first. The park-outside advice applies until an open hydrogen recall is fixed. If the car won't start or refuel, ask the dealer whether warranty covers it before paying for anything.
If it stays parked anyway, our guides on an open recall and a car that doesn't run explain how a sale works in each case.
Selling the Nexo whole
Sell the whole car as it sits. Leave the tanks and the fuel cell in place; don't try to remove anything.
Have the VIN, title and mileage ready, and tell us which recalls are done. Mention its location and whether the wheels turn freely. Pickup is free anywhere in the US. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008. Other Hyundai models: the Kona, Ioniq 5 and Tucson.
Questions people ask
- Why are Nexo owners told to park outside?
- Three recalls carry that advice. 22V228 covers a hydrogen inlet filter on 2019 Nexos that could detach after refueling and leak. 22V258 covers leak sensors on 2019-2021 Nexos that may not detect a leak. 24V761 covers a pressure relief device on 2019-2024 Nexos that may break and leak hydrogen, which can lead to a fire while parked. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Which Nexo year has the most NHTSA complaints?
- The 2020, with 7 of 22, counted as of October 10, 2026. Across every year, owners pointed to the fuel and propulsion system more than anything else: 9 times.
- Will you take a Nexo that won't run?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Tell us if any recall work is still open when you ask for an offer.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 20V213: Remote Smart Parking Assist software, 2020 Nexo and Sonata nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 20V748: Integrated Electronic Brake software, 2019-2020 Nexo and 2019-2021 Kona Electric nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 22V228: hydrogen inlet filter, 2019 Nexo nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 22V258: hydrogen leak sensors, 2019-2021 Nexo nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 24V761: pressure relief device, 2019-2024 Nexo nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- EPA fuel economy data (model years and versions) fueleconomy.gov
- Wikipedia: Hyundai Nexo (generations, range, warranty) en.wikipedia.org