Hyundai and Kia Issue Recall for Over 4 Million Vehicles Amid Fire Risk

In a significant safety alert, Hyundai and Kia have announced the recall of nearly 3.4 million of their vehicles in the U.S. over concerns related to potential fires in the engine compartment. They have advised owners to consider parking their vehicles outdoors as a precaution.

The primary issue, as identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is a potential brake fluid leak that could result in an electrical short. This could subsequently elevate the risk of a fire, whether the car is stationary or on the move.

Addressing the concern, Hyundai assured in a recent statement that the affected vehicles remain drivable. The company added, “As a cautionary step, we recommend parking these vehicles in open areas away from structures until the necessary repairs are made.”

An additional 600,000 units of Hyundai and Kia vehicles are being recalled in Canada. Despite the large-scale recall, both automakers have confirmed that they are unaware of any associated injuries, fatalities, or accidents as per the documents available on the NHTSA website.

The recall encompasses around 1.64 million Hyundai and Genesis select models, while Kia models account for roughly 1.73 million. The affected Hyundai vehicles span from 2010 to 2015 and include models like the Accent, Elantra, and Tucson. For Kia, the recall covers models from 2010 to 2019, including Cadenza, Optima, and Sorento.

Though Kia Motors falls under the Hyundai umbrella, both companies function autonomously.

In a previous incident from 2019, Hyundai had noted an overheated antilock brake system (ABS) in one of its Elantras. Subsequent investigations revealed 21 fire incidents in the U.S. related to this system. Kia, too, initiated its recall after being alerted by Hyundai about potential concerns in models with similar hydraulic electronic control units.

Key indicators that car owners should be wary of include the illumination of the “check engine” or ABS lights, any visible smoke, or discernible burning/melting odors from the engine.

Both automakers are gearing up to inform owners about the necessary steps. They are advising owners to get their ABS module fuse replaced at an authorized dealership. Meanwhile, a dedicated online portal will allow users to check the recall status of their vehicles using the vehicle identification number.