FILE- The top image in this collage of file pictures is the logo for Kia Motors, taken on December 13, 2017, in Seoul, South Korea, while the bottom image is the logo for Hyundai, taken on April 15, 2018, in Littleton, Colorado, a south Denver suburb. On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, Hyundai and Kia are advising the owners of almost 485,000 cars in the US to park them outside because they could catch fire. (AP Images, File)
DETROIT (AP)
Nearly 485,000 Hyundai and Kia owners in the United States are being advised to park their vehicles outside because they still risk catching fire even when the engines are off.
The two Korean automakers’ recalls are the latest in a lengthy line of fire and engine failure issues that have plagued the businesses for the last six years.
This time, contamination in the antilock brake control module is the issue, which may result in an electrical short. This raises the possibility of a fire occurring while the cars are being driven or parked.
Affected models include some Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 to 2016 as well as the K900 sedan from 2016 to 2018. Certain Santa Fe SUVs from 2016 to 2018, Santa Fe Sports from 2017 to 2018, the 2019 Santa Fe XL, and Tucson SUVs from 2014 and 2015 are among the Hyundai models that have been recalled.
According to documents published on Tuesday by American safety officials, owners should park the cars outside and away from buildings while repairs are being completed.
A fuse can be changed by a dealer. The control modules will also be examined by Hyundai dealers, who will replace them if necessary. Kia will ship them on March 31, and Hyundai will send them starting on April 5.
Owners can check if their car is being recalled by going to www.nhtsa.gov and entering their 17-digit vehicle identification number, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
When Hyundai discovers a safety issue, “We take prompt action to recall the vehicle and make the necessary repairs at no cost to the consumers who are affected.
Drivers may notice or smell warning indications, according to Kia. They might see smoke coming from the engine compartment, smell something burning or melting, and the antilock brake warning light might turn on.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration intensified a number of investigations into the engine compartment fires that have plagued the Korean automakers, leading to Tuesday’s recalls.
In December, the organization combined two 2017 investigations into a brand-new engineering examination that covered more than 3 million automobiles from the model years 2011 through 2016. At that time, the NHTSA had gotten 161 reports of engine fires, some of which had happened in recalled cars.
The first engine failure and fire-related recall from the companies dates back to September 2015. Since then they have issued at least eight more recalls for a range of engine concerns, according to NHTSA documents.
The organization stated that it is assessing whether earlier recalls covered enough vehicles. It will also keep track of how well prior recalls are working “In addition, Hyundai and Kia’s linked programs and non-safety field activities must be long-term viable.
The automakers claimed to have carried out a number of recalls to address engine problems at the time, including recalls, new engine monitoring technology, and offering extended warranties.
The recalls announced on Tuesday are different from the engine failure issue that led to the majority of the prior Hyundai-Kia fire recalls, according to Michael Brooks, chief counsel for the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety. “Although NHTSA has the right to compel a recall and maybe a buyback of all impacted vehicles, this is a highly challenging undertaking due to the numerous fire problems that have plagued millions of Hyundai vehicles throughout numerous model years, he added.
Because Kia and Hyundai took too long to recall more than 1 million vehicles with potentially dangerous engines, the NHTSA announced in November 2020 that they would be forced to pay $137 million in fines and make other safety measures. The penalties ended an earlier investigation on the companies’ actions involving multiple model recalls going back to the 2011 model year.
For safety performance measures, Kia was required to pay $27 million and put $16 million into them. As long as Kia complies with safety requirements, a further $27 million payment will be postponed, according to NHTSA.
Despite denying the U.S. accusations, Kia claimed it wished to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.
Since 2015, Hyundai and Kia have issued more than 30 U.S. recalls for fire and engine-related issues, according to data gathered by the Center for Auto Safety. More than 20 models, totaling more than 8.4 million cars, from the model years 2006 through 2021 are included in the recalls.
A large number of recalls included production flaws that prevented oil from passing past the engine block. Many of them need pricey engine replacements.
Kia and Hyundai also conducted a U.S “3.7 million vehicles will be the target of a product enhancement campaign to install software that warns drivers of potential engine issues.
In This Article...
Which Kia is on fire right now?
According to Brooks, “the recall did not address the fundamental faults with the engine design that gave rise to these difficulties in the first place.”
Brooks informed the I-Team that a consumer alert is unavoidable in light of the most recent allegations from the I-Team as well as the continued complaints of flames and engine failures that the Center for Auto Safety is receiving.
We’ll start notifying consumers, he said, and work to spread the news to others looking at used autos.
The 4 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles produced between 2011 and 2019 that could be included in the consumer advisory all feature the Theta 2 engines that have been involved in multiple recalls.
- Hyundai Sonata 20112019
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 20132019
- Hyundai Tucson, Models 20142015, 20182019
- Kia Optima, 20112019
- Kia Sorento, 20122019
- Kia Sportage 20112019
According to Brooks, the only way to avoid these complaints from coming in “is to warn people to prevent them from owning one of these vehicles in the first place,” as stated by ABC Action News.
Regarding the announcement from the Center for Auto Safety, we contacted both automakers.
Hyundai’s reaction was
In order to solve engine problems, Hyundai has taken a variety of proactive measures, such as carrying out a number of recalls, introducing a new engine monitoring and diagnostic technology, offering extended warranties, and improving our customer service response. Hyundai promotes a culture of openness and responsibility because customer safety comes first in all we do.
Kia answered:
The safety of our cars is our first concern at Kia America. We promote an environment of openness and accountability, and we take great pride in the reliability of our products and our excellent safety record. As part of ongoing monitoring efforts, we regularly assess our vehicles, and we submit quarterly reports to NHTSA detailing any consumer complaints, notices, or claims for any safety issues. Every Kia car marketed in the US complies with or surpasses all requirements for vehicle safety set out by the federal government.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration declared in December that it would look further into the extent of the recalls and the efficacy of its remedies. NHTSA reported 158 injuries and over 5,000 fires as of December. Two deaths involving on-fire Kia Souls were covered by the I-Team.
Multiple flaws are linked to the fires in recent recalls. They include fuel line leaks that can cause vehicles to catch fire while moving, electrical issues with the anti-lock brake system, and defective recall repairs.
Thousands of Kia Optimas from 2011 to 2014 were recalled in 2018 as a result of the I-exposure Team’s of subpar recall repairs. The 2011 Optima owned by Mathias was exempt from the recall, though.
We requested Meier Fire Investigations’ Richard Meier, a fire investigator, to look over Mathias’ car. He came to the conclusion that there was a fuel pipe gas leak.
The fuel line connector coming off and spilling gasoline is the most likely reason, according to what Meier has seen so far.
According to Mathias, “You must correct those. That only increases the risk to more people.”
Several Kia fire victims, like Yolanda Lawson, informed us that their brakes failed after their cars caught fire. Both the conventional and emergency brakes, according to Yolanda, failed. To get the automobile to stop, she forced it into the median.
Fourteen months after his leased 2019 Kia Soul caught fire, Jordan Carlton passed away in 2020. Becky, his mother, who was in the car with him, got away. Jordan’s father, Robert Carlton, claimed that the brakes failed and kept his son from exiting the car in time to save himself.
The I-Team discovered that Yolanda’s 2017 Sportage was recalled by Kia in March 2021 due to a potential electrical fire hazard. Yolanda said that she was never notified of a recall.
Kia was requested by The I-Team to inspect Maureen Huckler’s 2015 Soul. According to a report that Kia gave to Maureen, the engine’s catastrophic failure, which left a hole in the engine block and caused engine oil to spill over the exhaust system, was what started the fire.
However, records indicate that the car was recalled in 2020 for an engine inspection to check for flaws that can cause a fire. In March 2021, the examination was carried out by a Kia dealer. After six months, the Soul caught fire.
2020 saw a $760 million settlement between Kia and Hyundai in a class-action lawsuit involving engine fires. As a result, Mathias and Yolanda might be eligible to receive funding to make up for their losses. Regarding the Kia Souls, litigation is still going on.
Which Kia models are being recalled?
Certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The printed circuit board’s memory chip may come into touch with the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover, breaking the electrical circuit.
Seat belts: Front
Certain 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid and 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may blow up when they deploy in the case of a collision.
Metal shards from a seat belt pretensioner explosion could be launched inside the car, hurtling toward the occupants.
Dealers will provide a complimentary cap to protect the seat belt pretensioners. Letters informing owners will likely be mailed on August 19, 2022. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. The recall number for Kia is SC241. The NHTSA recall number 22V-127 is replaced and expanded by this recall. The new remedy must be finished on vehicles that have previously undergone repairs due to the earlier recall.
A select number of 2022 Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may blow up when they deploy in the case of a collision.
The seatbelt pretensioner(s) will be free to be replaced by the dealer. On May 3, 2022, owner notification letters were sent out. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. The recall number for Kia is SC231. NHTSA recall number 22V-447 has taken the place of this recall. The new remedy must be finished on vehicles that have already undergone repairs as part of this recall.
Which Kia vehicles are subject to a 2021 recall?
Certain 2020-2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos vehicles with 2.0L Nu MPI engines are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). Engine damage could come from improper heat treatment of the piston oil rings. Tip: Not all vehicles from the same year, make, and model are subject to recalls.
What drawbacks exist with Kia vehicles?
Kia may have improved in a number of areas, such as the electronic and hybrid market, but some of their models still fall short when it comes to safety. For instance, reviews of the Kia Seltos have been mostly negative due to the lack of safety features that are commensurate with the vehicle’s pricing.
Both hill hold and brake assist are absent. At the moment, features like an electric parking brake are rather widespread. The Kia Rio, which lacks adaptive cruise control, a review camera, and even blind-spot monitoring, is the same.
Which model year Kias suffer engine issues?
Nearly 485,000 Hyundai and Kia owners in the United States are being advised to park their vehicles outside because they still risk catching fire even when the engines are off.
Do Kias have issues with the transmission?
Shifting issues are just a few of the transmission issues that many customers who buy or lease Kia vehicles from 2010 to 2019 have encountered. clutch issues. Jerking.
Do Kia Sportage issues frequently arise?
This generation’s Sportage has had very few reported issues because it is a well-built vehicle. There have been a few problems with non-engine electrics, mostly with the starting process and the sat-nav system (where installed).
The Kia Optima being recalled is from what year?
72,848 2013-2014 Kia Optima sedans with the 2.0- and 2.4-liter gasoline engines that were produced between November 15, 2012, and December 18, 2013, at Kia Georgia, are among the vehicles that have been recalled.
The issue: A damaged fuel pipe or one that doesn’t have heat-protective tape could cause a fuel leak and raise the possibility of a fire.
The solution: Kia dealerships will swap out the low-pressure fuel hose for free.
Contacting the manufacturer: Starting on April 15, 2022, Kia will mail notices to owners. Kia can be reached at 800-333-4542 by owners of the impacted vehicles.
22V093 is the NHTSA campaign number. These exact vehicles have already undergone recall 20V100 repairs. SC228 is the Kia recall number.
To see if your car is still subject to a recall, check:
You may find out whether there are any open recalls for your car on the NHTSA website.
Your vehicle does not currently have any open recalls if, after entering the 17-digit VIN of your automobile, nothing comes up on the NHTSA website. We advise checking back frequently to determine whether your car has received a recall because automakers frequently issue recalls and for many older vehicles.
Utilize our Car Recall Tracker to stay up to date on recalls that may apply to your car. To join CR, open a free account right away.
My profession is a direct result of my father purchasing a 1965 Corvette and me choosing an Audi A4 over a Chevy Tahoe. My passion for automobiles was sparked by the Corvette, and the Audi introduced me to automotive journalism, track days, and do-it-yourself vehicle repair. No matter the season, I cycle as much as I can in my spare time.