DETROIT — Due to the risk of engine compartment fires, Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 3.4 million vehicles in the United States and advising owners to park them outside.
Multiple car and SUV models from 2010 to 2019 have been recalled, including the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV and the Kia Sorrento SUV.
According to documents published Wednesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the anti-lock brake control module can leak fluid and cause an electrical short, which can spark a fire in stationary or moving vehicles.
The dealer will replace the anti-lock brake fuse free of charge. According to company documents, Kia will begin sending notification letters to owners on November 14. The date for Hyundai is November 21.
According to the documents, Hyundai reported 21 vehicle fires and 22 “thermal incidents,” including combustion, burning, and melting parts in the United States. Kia reported ten incidents of fire and dissolving.
According to a statement from Hyundai, no collisions or injuries have been reported. The automaker said it was doing the recall to assure the safety of its customers.
Hyundai And Kia Recall Nearly 3.4 Million Vehicles Due To Fire Risk And Urge Owners To Park Outdoors.
Due to moisture, grime, and dissolved metals in the brake fluid, an O-ring in the antilock brake motor shaft can lose its sealing strength over time, resulting in leaks. According to the statement, the new fuse limits the brake module’s operating current.
Kia stated that an electrical failure resulting in excessive current could cause an engine compartment fire near the brake control unit. The statement indicates that the precise cause of the short circuit is unknown and that no accidents or injuries have occurred.
Michael Brooks, executive director of the non-profit Centre for Auto Safety, questioned why the companies are not addressing the breach issue and why they are taking so long to send letters to owners.
Brooks stated that replacing the fuse is the solution, but brake fluid can still escape, posing a potential safety risk.
He asked, “Why not fix the problem?” “What you’re not doing here is repairing the O-ring and the discharge that initially caused the issue. You are addressing a symptom or portion of the problem, but not the underlying design flaw.”
Brooks also questioned why the NHTSA is allowing the companies to replace only the fuse and why owners must receive interim letters promptly warning them of a serious problem. “You would think that you should immediately notify those owners that they shouldn’t be parking in their garages, lest their home catch fire,” he said.
Statements from both companies need to address why the fluid breaches aren’t being repaired or why it will take about two months to notify owners by letter. Both companies’ spokespersons stated they would investigate the concerns.
Wednesday, a message was left with the NHTSA requesting comment on the recall remedy and why the notices would take so long. Wednesday, the agency released a statement cautioning owners to park their vehicles outside until repairs are made.
Hyundai And Kia Recall Nearly 3.4 Million Vehicles Due To Fire Risk And Urge Owners To Park Outdoors.
Affected Kia models include the 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, and Sportage, 2015-2019 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, and Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo.
2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, and Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, and Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe and Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport are included in the recall.
Owners can enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number at www.nhtsa.gov/recalls to determine if their vehicle is affected.
Since 2015, Hyundai and Kia have been beset by fire issues. The Centre for Auto Safety successfully petitioned U.S. regulators to seek recalls in 2018, and according to its website, automakers have already recalled more than 9.2 million vehicles for fires and engine problems, not including Wednesday’s recalls. More than two dozen of the recalls involved more than 20 vehicles from the model years 2006 to 2021.
In addition, the NHTSA is investigating three million vehicles manufactured by manufacturers between 2011 and 2016. NHTSA reports receiving 161 complaints of engine fires, some of which occurred in previously recalled vehicles.
In June 2018, the NHTSA reported receiving complaints from vehicle owners regarding over 3,100 fires, 103 injuries, and one fatality. The NHTSA fined Hyundai and Kia in 2020 for recalling vehicles with a propensity for engine failure too slowly.
SOURCE – (AP)
