The technology designed to keep Hyundai drivers focused on the road may be creating a distraction of its own.
A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that the automaker’s Direct Driver Monitoring System (DDMS) routinely misidentifies attentive drivers as distracted, triggering persistent warnings and potentially contributing to sudden braking and the loss of cruise control and other features. According to ClassAction.org, the 70-page complaint argues that the technology, intended to improve safety, can instead make driving more difficult and potentially dangerous.
Five Hyundai Models Face Scrutiny
The lawsuit names the 2024–2026 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2025–2026 Ioniq 5, 2025–2026 Tucson, 2025–2026 Santa Cruz and 2026 Palisade.
The DDMS is part of Hyundai’s Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system. An infrared camera mounted on the steering column monitors the driver’s eyes, face and head position to detect when someone looks away from the road for too long. According to the complaint, the DDMS camera misreads normal driver behavior, causing the FAW system to issue false audible and visual warnings.
Sunglasses and Sunlight Allegedly Trigger False Alerts
The lawsuit alleges that the DDMS can mistake ordinary driving behavior for inattention. Wearing sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses, putting on a hat, squinting against sunlight or making small head movements can reportedly trigger false alerts. A driver’s height, seating position and hand placement on the steering wheel may also contribute. The complaint says the resulting FAW warnings can occur every few minutes, making it difficult to drive without repeated interruptions.
Separately, the lawsuit alleges that affected vehicles can brake suddenly and lose cruise control and other functions. However, the complaint’s description does not clearly establish which system causes each of these additional behaviors, so they cannot all be attributed specifically to the DDMS camera.
Lawsuit Points to Hyundai’s 2025 Service Bulletin
The complaint names Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company as defendants. It alleges that the companies knew about the purported DDMS defect, pointing to a technical service bulletin issued to service centers in January 2025. The filing contends that Hyundai failed to provide an adequate remedy. Instead, according to the lawsuit, the company’s guidance included changing glasses or sunglasses, adjusting the driver’s seat and looking at the road.
The plaintiffs also cite Hyundai owner manuals that describe circumstances in which the DDMS and FAW system may operate incorrectly or unexpectedly. These reportedly include reflective eyewear, obstructed views, head movements, excessive vehicle vibration, extreme driver height and eyes narrowed by laughter or sunlight.
The lawsuit argues that these limitations undermine the systems’ effectiveness under ordinary driving conditions.
Hyundai Owners Could Seek Compensation
The proposed class action contends that consumers would not have purchased or leased the affected vehicles, or would have paid less for them, had they known about the alleged safety defect. The proposed class would include current and former owners and lessees of the listed Hyundai models purchased or leased in the United States and its territories or possessions.
The case seeks to hold Hyundai accountable for the alleged defect and its consequences for consumers. The claims have not been proven in court.
