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| Recall of 3.37 Million U.S. Vehicles by Kia and Hyundai Due to Fire Risk |
In a recent development, Hyundai and Kia have issued a recall for a total of 3.37 million vehicles in the United States due to the risk of engine fires. As a safety precaution, they are advising owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the necessary repairs have been completed.
The reason behind this recall is attributed to internal brake fluid leaks within these vehicles, which can potentially lead to an electrical short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has endorsed the automakers' advice and urges owners to comply by parking their vehicles outdoors until the required repairs are carried out.
Since 2017, Hyundai has received reports of 21 fires and 21 other thermal incidents related to this recall, while Kia has documented at least 10 confirmed fires and incidents of melting. It's worth noting that neither automaker has reported any crashes, injuries, or fatalities associated with these recalls, according to the NHTSA.
The recall from Kia America encompasses approximately 1.73 million vehicles, including models such as Borrego, Cadenza, Forte, Sportage, K900, Optima, Soul, Rio, Sorento, and Rondo, spanning various model years from 2010 through 2017. The underlying issue lies in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), which may experience an electrical short circuit due to brake fluid leaks, potentially resulting in engine compartment fires, whether the vehicle is parked or in motion.
Hyundai's recall affects about 1.64 million vehicles, including Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, Accent, Azera, Veloster, Santa Fe, Equus, Veracruz, Tucson, Tucson Fuel Cell, and Santa Fe Sport models from model years 2011 through 2015. The problem here is associated with the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module, which may leak brake fluid internally and subsequently cause an electrical short circuit, posing the same risk of engine compartment fires, whether the vehicle is stationary or being driven.
Hyundai intends to notify affected owners and instruct them to bring their vehicles to a dealership for the replacement of the ABS module fuse. Kia, on the other hand, is still in the process of developing a remedy, as confirmed by the NHTSA. Both automakers are planning to commence notifications to affected owners in November.
This recall underscores the automakers' commitment to addressing potential safety issues promptly and ensuring the well-being of their customers and the general public. Owners of the affected vehicles are strongly encouraged to follow the guidance provided by Hyundai and Kia to mitigate the risks associated with this recall.
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