Nearly 500,000 Hyundais and Kias recalled in US over fire risks
Owners have been advised to park outside until they have recall repairs completed
10 February 2022 - 15:15
byDavid Shepardson
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Cars affected by the US recall include the 2014-2016 Kia Sportage.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Washington — South Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia have advised the owners of 484,000 US vehicles to park outside and away from other vehicles because of fire risks until they get new recall repairs completed.
Hyundai Motor Co and its affiliate Kia announced separate US recalls because a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (Hecu) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire. Dealers will install a new fuse for the circuit board to address the fire risks.
The new recalls cover some 2014-2016 Kia Sportage, 2016-2018 Kia K900 and 2016-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Owners should park vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures, even if vehicles are turned off.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urged owners to follow the carmakers advice, saying “the manufacturers believe an electrical component in the antilock 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 recalls covers 126,747 Kia vehicles and 357,830 Hyundai vehicles. There are no reports of injuries but 11 total reports of fires, the carmakers said.
The Korean carmakers have issued and expanded several recalls in recent years for fire risks.
In November, NHTSA issued the first-yet reward to a whistle-blower, handing out more than $24m to a former Hyundai employee who reported to NHTSA in 2016 that Hyundai was failing to address a design flaw linked to its Theta II engines, which were prone to seizing up and catching fire.
In 2020, Hyundai and Kia's US units agreed to a record $210m civil penalty after NHTSA said they failed to recall vehicles timeously for engine issues.
This recall is announced in the US market for now. Kia and Hyundai do not have any confirmation yet if their vehicles in SA will be affected.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Nearly 500,000 Hyundais and Kias recalled in US over fire risks
Owners have been advised to park outside until they have recall repairs completed
Washington — South Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia have advised the owners of 484,000 US vehicles to park outside and away from other vehicles because of fire risks until they get new recall repairs completed.
Hyundai Motor Co and its affiliate Kia announced separate US recalls because a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (Hecu) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire. Dealers will install a new fuse for the circuit board to address the fire risks.
The new recalls cover some 2014-2016 Kia Sportage, 2016-2018 Kia K900 and 2016-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Owners should park vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures, even if vehicles are turned off.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urged owners to follow the carmakers advice, saying “the manufacturers believe an electrical component in the antilock 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 recalls covers 126,747 Kia vehicles and 357,830 Hyundai vehicles. There are no reports of injuries but 11 total reports of fires, the carmakers said.
The Korean carmakers have issued and expanded several recalls in recent years for fire risks.
In November, NHTSA issued the first-yet reward to a whistle-blower, handing out more than $24m to a former Hyundai employee who reported to NHTSA in 2016 that Hyundai was failing to address a design flaw linked to its Theta II engines, which were prone to seizing up and catching fire.
In 2020, Hyundai and Kia's US units agreed to a record $210m civil penalty after NHTSA said they failed to recall vehicles timeously for engine issues.
This recall is announced in the US market for now. Kia and Hyundai do not have any confirmation yet if their vehicles in SA will be affected.
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