Many Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the USA have a chance of catching fire.
America’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recommended owners of several Kia and Hyundai models affected by a recent recall in the USA park their cars outside their garages. This is because these models have an increased risk of an engine compartment fire whether the car is being driven or it is parked. Yes, these cars can catch fire even if they’re turned off.
The models affected include the 2014-2016 Kia Sportage, the 2016-2018 Kia K900, certain 2016-2019 Hyundai Santa Fe variants, and the 2014-2015 Hyundai Tucson.
CNN notes that this situation affects some 500,000 owners in the USA with Kia admitting that 3 vehicles are known to have caught fire already.
The cause of the fire hazard is linked to the ABS system in these vehicles, but this has not been confirmed yet. It is believed that an electrical component in the anti-lock braking system may short circuit internally, which risks a fire starting. The fix involves inspecting the module and replacing it with a new one. Along with a new ABS module, affected vehicles will also get a new fuse that reduces the amount of power that goes into the ABS module.
It’s unlikely that this recall affects models sold in Malaysia. Only specific models are affected, with dealers in the USA being tasked with identifying these.
Here’s the NHTSA press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Kia Motors America and Hyundai Motor America recommend that owners of select model year 2014-2016 Kia Sportage, 2016-2018 Kia K900 and 2016-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles park their vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures due to a risk of fire, even if the vehicle is turned off.
Kia and Hyundai have identified an increasing risk of an engine compartment fire. Although the cause remains unknown, the manufacturers believe an electrical component in the anti-lock brake system may experience an internal electrical short circuit that could increase the risk of fire both while the vehicle is being driven or parked.
The Kia recall notice is available here, and the Hyundai recall notice is available here.
Kia and Hyundai will notify owners by mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia or Hyundai dealer for a free repair. Dealers will install a fuse designed to mitigate the risk of fire.
Vehicle owners can visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls or call NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is under recall. If it is, the owner should park their vehicle outdoors until the recall repair is completed. Owners may also contact Kia customer service at (800) 333-4542.
NHTSA encourages everyone to download its SaferCar App to stay informed on current recalls.
