Hyundai, Kia Warn 485K Car Owners: Park Outside

Vehicles recalled due to fire risk, even if engines are turned off
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 9, 2022 12:01 AM CST
Hyundai, Kia Warn 485K Car Owners: Park Outside
This combination of file photos shows the logo of Kia Motors Dec. 13, 2017, in Seoul, South Korea, top, and Hyundai logo April 15, 2018, in the south Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo., bottom.   (AP Photo, File)

Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of nearly 485,000 vehicles in the US to park them outdoors because they can catch fire even if the engines have been turned off, the AP reports. The recalls from the two Korean automakers are another in a long string of fire and engine failure problems that have dogged the companies for the past six years. This time the problem is contamination in the antilock brake control module that can cause an electrical short. This increases the risk of fire while the vehicles are being driven or are parked.

Affected are certain Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 through 2016, and the 2016 through 2018 K900 sedan. Recalled Hyundais include certain 2016 through 2018 Santa Fe SUVs, 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe Sports, the 2019 Santa Fe XL and 2014 and 2015 Tucson SUVs. The automakers say they have 11 reports of fires in the US but no injuries. Documents posted Tuesday by US safety regulators say owners should park the vehicles outside and away from structures until repairs are made. Dealers will replace a fuse. In addition, Hyundai dealers will inspect the control modules and replace them if needed. Hyundai will mail notification letters starting April 5, and Kia will send them March 31.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says owners can go to www.nhtsa.gov and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their automobile is being recalled. Kia said there are warning signs that drivers could see or smell. The antilock brake warning light could come on, and they could smell something burning or melting, or see smoke coming from the engine compartment. The first recall from the companies related to engine failures and fires reaches to September 2015. Since then they have issued at least eight more recalls for a host of engine problems, according to NHTSA documents. (Much more here.)

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