3 Million Hyundai, Kia Cars Recalled For Fire Risk
South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia have announced a recall that affects a combined 3.37 million vehicles in the U.S. over the potential risk of an engine fire. The extensive recall affects vehicles built between the 2010 and 2018 model years.
On Kias, the issue is the Hydraulic Control Unit (HECU) that “may experience an electrical short” that can cause a fire to start in the engine compartment. On Hyundais, the problem is the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module that may “leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short” that can cause a fire to start in the engine compartment. Both automakers are urging affected owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures.
As far as numbers go, Kia’s recall includes 1,730,192 cars and Hyundai’s recall includes 1,642,551 cars. Both automakers estimate that only 1% of vehicles that are included in the recall have an issue that could result in a fire.
Kia will begin to send affected owners an official notification letter of the recall starting on November 14, 2023. Kia dealerships will replace the HECU fuse for free on affected vehicles. Hyundai plans to start sending owners notification letters starting on November 21, 2023. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse on affected models for free.
Reuters reports that Kia knows of at least 10 confirmed cases of fires and melting incidents from the recall, while Hyundai has reports of 21 fires and 21 “thermal incidents” that have occurred since 2017 that are related to the recall. Neither automaker has reports of crashes, fatalities, or injuries that were caused because of the recall.
Affected Hyundais include the Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, Accent, Azera, Veloster, Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, Equus, Veracruz, Tucson, Tucson Fuel Cell, and Santa Fe Sport. Kias that are included in the recall include the Borrego, Cadenza, Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, K900, Optima, Optima Hybrid, Soul, Rio, Sorento, and Rondo.
As the Associated News points out, Kia and Hyundai have had their fair share of fire problems since 2015. The South Korean automakers have recalled more than 9.2 million vehicles for possible fire issues and engine problems, which doesn’t include the most recent recall.
Pictured: 2018 Hyundai Tucson (Top), 2018 Kia Optima (Middle)
Source: Reuters
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