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.
In This Article...
What drawbacks exist with Kia vehicles?
Everyone can find a Kia, but the drawback of buying a Borrego, Forte, Optima, Sorento, Spectra, Sportage, or any other model you can afford is that you will almost certainly have transmission issues. Owners of Sorentos are likely to have noticed jerking when changing, especially when moving uphill at a speed of roughly 75 mph.
Kia’s transmission issues, however, go beyond jerking. A 2019 Kia Forte owner from Delaware claims that, despite having less than 5,000 miles on the odometer, the transmission has already been changed twice. Similar depressing transmission-related experiences are common among Forte owners.
What percentage of Kia Souls have burned up?
Due to problems that can cause vehicle fires, the Korean automaker Kia has started two recall operations.
The 1.6L 4-cylinder engine in about 378,000 Kia Soul cars from 2012 to 2016 may experience catalytic converter failure as a result of excessive exhaust gas temperatures. The issue has been connected to a potential connecting rod failure, which might lead to the engine block being punctured and oil spilling over hot exhaust system components.
Consumer advocacy group Center for Auto Safety requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) look into incidents of vehicle fires that were not the result of a traffic accident last year. About 120 of these occurrences were found in U.S. government data.
As part of its response, Kia says it is issuing a software update that it claims will stop the catalytic converter from overheating. The business made no mention of how this change would impact the powertrain’s performance specifications.
Which automobiles burn up the most?
According to the study, hybrid cars, which combine an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, had the most fires per 100,000 vehicles (3475), while cars with an internal combustion engine only came in second (1530 per 100,000). The fewest were fully electric automobiles, 25 per 100,000.
Do a lot of Kias suffer issues?
Yes, Kia reliability is above average, to put it succinctly. Even though Kia had a bad reputation when it initially entered the US market about 20 years ago, a lot has changed since then. Currently, the brand is rated 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing third out of 32 brands of automobiles.
RepairPal uses driver-reported information on brand average yearly repair costs, the frequency of unexpected repairs, and the seriousness of needed repairs to calculate dependability scores. Kias and other vehicles with high RepairPal reliability ratings are less likely to experience frequent mechanical problems.
Kia offers one of the greatest new car warranties in the business as a guarantee for the dependability of its vehicles. Kia significantly outperforms the industry standard of three years for bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years for the powertrain. The Kia guarantee comprises a ten-year powertrain warranty as well as a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Your Kia should last for at least ten years if you follow up with routine maintenance. If not, the majority of significant problems are probably covered by warranty.
Kia Factory Warranty
One of the best manufacturer warranties in the industry is offered by Kia. A new Kia vehicle includes:
- 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty for five years.
- Powertrain warranty of 10 years and 100,000 miles
- Warranty against perforation for 5 years and 100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance coverage for 5 years and 60,000 miles
Kia J.D. Power Awards
Kia has received numerous J.D. Power honors for a variety of automobiles. The Kia Soul, Forte, Sorento, and Sedona, for instance, each received the Highest Quality award that year. A J.D. Power Dependability award was additionally given to the 2016 Kia Soul in 2019. This prize takes into account issues with used cars that are three years old.
What models of Kia have engine fires?
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.
What models of Kia engines are exploding?
Nearly 485,000 Hyundai and Kia automobiles are being recalled, and the automakers are advising customers to park their vehicles outside since the engines can still catch fire even after the cars have been switched off.
The recalls are the latest setback for the two Korean automakers in a run of engine failure and fire issues that have dogged the businesses for the previous six years, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 to 2016 and the K900 sedan from 2016 to 2018 are among the models that are affected.
Affected Hyundai models include the 2014 and 2015 Tucson SUV, the 2016 to 2018 Santa Fe SUV, the 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe Sports, and the 2019 Santa Fe XL.
According to The AP, U.S. safety inspectors have advised owners of any of the recalled vehicles to park them outside and away from buildings while repairs are being done.
Following a stepped-up investigation into engine compartment fires by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hyundai and Kia announced the recalls.
Most car fires are caused by what?
You never want to have to deal with fuel leaks. Due to their high flammability, gas and diesel can catch fire even without an ignitor. Tony Webster on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
The most frequent reason for vehicle fires is fuel system leaks, hence they come in first on our list. A gasoline system leak is quite risky. Many of the fluids in a car have already been mentioned as being corrosive, toxic, and flammable, but gasoline is one of the most flammable.
Just a small spark can start a gasoline fire at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius) or higher. In a moving car, it does occur frequently and on purpose, but the engine controls it. Additionally, gasoline will spontaneously ignite around 495 degrees Fahrenheit (257.2 degrees Celsius).
It is simple to understand how fuel spilling onto hot metal and plastic components, as well as the spark from a thrown cigarette butt or other source, could result in a fire that spreads quickly.
Maintaining the vehicle properly and avoiding the scenarios we’ve already discussed are the greatest ways to lower the likelihood of a fuel system fire. And if you ever smell gas in your car or nearby, discover the leak right away and fix it.
Car Fire FAQ
Although a collision may cause a car to catch fire, fuel system or electrical problems, faulty wiring, or a lighted cigarette left in the vehicle that ignites the seats or carpets are more common causes of automobile fires. In some instances, a design error might also be to blame.
A fuel tank leak is one of the most frequent causes of vehicle fires in collisions. Fuel lines that were improperly placed, routed, or malfunctioning, as well as those that were simply extensively damaged in the collision, are more likely to rupture during an accident and set the automobile on fire.
On a burning car, you can use a dry powder or foam fire extinguisher. The best course of action is to leave the automobile and dial the fire department, nevertheless.
The majority of the time, the fire is initially restrained to the car’s engine compartment.
Yes, but it’s not very frequent these days. Most often, electrical or mechanical issues cause car fires. Fluid or oil leaks, frayed wires, sudden fluctuations in gasoline level or engine temperature, or any of these things could be signs that a car can catch fire.