DEARBORN — Following a string of fires involving the wiring for the trailer hitch, Hyundai and Kia are advising owners of certain of their large SUVs to park them outside and away from structures.
Because of the issue, Korean automakers are recalling more than 281,000 vehicles in the U.S., but they haven’t yet discovered a solution. The fault was blamed for 25 flames or melting accidents in the US and Canada, but no crashes or injuries were reported, according to the automakers.
Over 36,000 Kia Telluride and over 245,000 Hyundai Palisade SUVs from the 2020 through 2022 model years are included in the recalls.
The firms claimed that a circuit board in the tow hitch wire can become clogged with debris and moisture in documents published on Tuesday by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This might result in an electrical short, which might start a fire.
Dealers will examine the wiring and take out a fuse as a temporary fix, according to Hyundai. There isn’t a temporary fix for Kia. A final repair, according to the firms, is in the works.
Additionally, until repairs are completed, dealers from both automakers have stopped selling the impacted SUVs.
In This Article...
Hyundai and Kia urge owners to park their vehicles outside because 500,000 of them in the US are at risk of spontaneously igniting.
- In nearly 500,000 of their vehicles, the engines may catch fire on their own, Hyundai and Kia warned.
- Their anti-lock brake systems’ electrical component, which is susceptible to short circuiting, causes the problem.
- Both automakers urged owners to park outside and away from structures in the interim.
After discovering a potential fire danger in the engines of numerous models, the automakers Hyundai and Kia recalled roughly 500,000 vehicles in the US and advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, both businesses informed authorities that an electrical component in their anti-lock brake systems could short circuit and ignite a fire in the engine compartment even if the cars aren’t driving.
As a result, Hyundai is recalling 357,830 vehicles while Kia is recalling 126,747.
Kia announced a recall on its 2014-2016 Kia Sportage SUVs and 2016-2018 Kia K900 sedans on February 2. Hyundai has issued recalls for the 2014-2015 Tucson, 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, and 2019 Santa Fe XL SUVs.
“Owners will get a letter from Kia or Hyundai instructing them to take their cars to a Kia or Hyundai dealer for a free repair. Dealers will put in a fuse to lessen the chance of a fire, “claimed the NHTSA. Hyundai said it would mail its letters by April 5, while Kia anticipates doing so by March 31.
The two South Korean-based automakers, Hyundai Motor Group and Kia, share some manufacturing facilities but run separate operations in the US. Hyundai Motor Group holds a majority interest in Kia.
Owners can call the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 and enter their 17-digit car identification number to see if their vehicle is currently being recalled or visit the recall website of the NHTSA.
Hyundai and Kia advise parking recalled vehicles outside because they pose a fire risk.
An ongoing recall campaign for Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia vehicles includes almost 483,000 additional cars and SUVs.
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Both Hyundai and Kia, two manufacturers with the same corporate company, have announced fresh recalls for combustible vehicles. The 2016-2018 Kia K900 car, the 2014-2015 Hyundai Tucson, the 2017-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL, and the 2014-2016 Kia Sportage SUVs are among the models that have been recalled. Owners of these vehicles are advised to park them outside and away from buildings until a recall fix is finished by the manufacturers, which collaborate on parts, designs, and suppliers.
According to papers Kia gave to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these vehicles all utilize the same defective Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), a component of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) (NHTSA). A significant automotive supplier, Mando, makes the component. The origin of the fires has not been identified by either automaker.
According to Kia and Hyundai, drivers may also notice some warning indicators of a problem. These consist of:
- The dashboard’s lit ABS warning light
- an aroma of melting or burning
- Smoke emanating from the engine room
Important Hyundai and Kia Recalls for Fire Risk – Consumer Alert
Due to recent recalls for the risk of fire, Hyundai Motor America and Kia America advise owners of specific Model Years 2020–2022, Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, to park their cars outside and away from residences and other structures until their vehicles have been fixed.
In compliance with federal laws, a “stop sale” is also being implemented for the impacted unsold vehicles at dealers and vehicle processing facilities as of today’s filing.
In the United States, there have been no confirmed fires, accidents, or injuries caused by this ailment.
Hyundai dealers will check the tow hitch module and pull the fuse as needed as a temporary fix. For Kia automobiles, there is no such thing as an interim repair.
The recall fix is in the planning stages. All owners of cars that might have affected trailer hitch wiring harnesses will receive postal notifications when a fix is ready, along with directions to take their cars to a Hyundai or Kia dealer.
Hyundai and Kia recall overview:
- Who: Due to a fire danger, Hyundai and Kia are advising owners of Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride automobiles to park their vehicles outside.
- Why: The autos could catch fire if they short circuit while being driven or parked.
- Where: Vehicles all around the United States are subject to the warning.
Additional 281,000 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride vehicles are being recalled by Hyundai and Kia owing to a fire risk. Owners of these vehicles are advised to park them outside and away from buildings as they have the potential to catch fire on their own.
The announcement follows a similar recall of almost 500,000 automobiles by the same businesses in February.
Hyundai Motor America and Kia America advised owners of specific Model Years 2020–2022, Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride vehicles to begin parking their cars outside and away from residences and other structures until their vehicles have been repaired due to recent recalls for the risk of fire on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website on August 23.
In compliance with federal laws, a “stop sale” was also issued with this month’s statement for any unsold autos at dealers and vehicle processing facilities.
According to the notice, the problem involves an aftermarket tow hitch sold by dealerships that can permit moisture into the harness module, leading to a short circuit.
In some instances, an electrical short can start a fire in a moving or stopped car.
According to the NHTSA, there have been no confirmed fires, collisions, or injuries caused by this condition throughout the country.
What Hyundai vehicles are being recalled?
The recall affects 36,417 Model Year 2020-2022 Kia Telluride vehicles and 245,030 Model Year 2020-2022 Hyundai Palisade vehicles (NHTSA ID: 22V-633) (NHTSA ID: 22V-626). Dealership-sold accessories tow hitches could permit moisture into the harness module, leading to a short circuit.
How secure are Hyundai vehicles?
Hyundai produces a number of vehicles that have received the Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ accolades, from compact to crossover and beyond. winners of the IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick Plus awards are: Hyundai Accent, 2019–2020 (Top Safety Pick) Hyundai Elantra (Top Safety Pick+) for 2019–2020
What Hyundai model(s) are being stolen?
Certain types and models of Kia and Hyundai cars from 2010 to 2021 that start the car with a mechanical key rather than a key fob or push button are being targeted by thieves.
What is the 2021 Hyundai recall?
Certain models of the 2020–2021 Santa Fe, 2021 Sonata, and Elantra are being recalled by Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai). The windshield may have been improperly glued to the car during construction, which would have allowed it to separate in a collision. Tip: Not all vehicles from the same year, make, and model are subject to recalls.
Which Hyundai vehicles have issues with their engines?
An ECU reflash recall involving knock sensors in Kia and Hyundai automobiles was issued in 2019. Ten recalls have been conducted to address problems that led to non-crash fires and stalling in the past six years, and other Kia and Hyundai models have been the focus of inquiries, lawsuits, and investigations.
Hyundai recalled the 2013–2014 Santa Fe Sport and the 2011–2014 Sonata in 2015 and 2017 to address engine component flaws. Also recalled for the same reasons were the 2012–2014 Sorento, 2011–2014 Kia Optima, and 2011–2013 Sportage. To fix engine issues, over a million Kia and Hyundai cars have been recalled. The 2.4 liter and 2.0 liter turbocharged engines are among these. The risk was higher for older vehicles, and the 2.0-liter engines reported the highest frequency of non-crash fires.
Due to a failing anti-lock braking system that could result in an electrical shock and ultimately an engine compartment fire in 2019, Hyundai recalled select 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sports, 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Tucson, and 2019 Santa Fe XL vehicles. The 2014–2016 and 2016–2018 K900 Sportage models were recalled by Kia Motors America the same year owing to problems with the hydraulic electronic control unit that could result in an engine fire from an electrical short.
The recalled Hyundai SUVs are which ones?
More than 280,000 SUVs from Hyundai and Kia are being recalled due to fire concerns, and their owners are being advised to park the cars outside and away from structures.
More than 245,000 Hyundai Palisade and 36,000 Kia Telluride SUVs with model years 2020 through 2022 are included in the recall.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated in a press release published on Tuesday that after securing an additional tow hitch, which is available at dealerships, debris and moisture can collect in the cars’ harness modules. While the cars are in motion or parked, the debris and moisture could lead to an electrical short and possibly even a fire.
Although there were no accidents or injuries, the Korean automakers reported 25 flames or melting events in the United States and Canada.
Owners of the recalled Hyundai SUVs can take them to a dealership, where a technician will check the wiring and perhaps remove a fuse as a temporary fix, said the NHTSA. There isn’t a temporary fix for Kia. Both businesses claim that a definitive repair is being created.
The NHTSA stated that when a fix is ready, all owners of cars that might have affected trailer hitch wiring harnesses will receive postal notifications instructing them to take their cars to a Hyundai or Kia dealer.
Additionally, until repairs are completed, dealerships are not selling the impacted SUVs.
After GM stated it was recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles due to a third-row seat belt issue, the recall was disclosed a few days later.
Why do thieves target Kia and Hyundai vehicles?
According to LAPD Chief Michel Moore, an alarming TikTok challenge has caused an 85% rise in car theft in the city of Los Angeles compared to previous year.
(KABC) Los Angeles According to LAPD Chief Michel Moore, an alarming new TikTok challenge has caused an 85% spike in car theft in the city of Los Angeles compared to previous year.
Moore spoke about the pattern during the police commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, stating that more than 1,600 Kia and Hyundai automobiles have been stolen so far this year.
The “Kia Boyz” social media challenge incites people to break into and steal Hyundai and Kia cars.
According to reports, those automobiles are being targeted because of a flaw that makes it simple to hot-wire them. The affected models were sold from 2010 to 2021.
At the meeting on Tuesday, Moore added, “We’re asking that you buy a steering wheel lock for the community, the challenge of owning one of these automobiles.” “An alarm system can also be set up. When someone tries to smash your glass and get into your car, the steering wheel lock will provide both a visual and physical deterrent.”
After someone broke into his 2012 Hyundai Tucson, a Lakewood man spoke with Eyewitness News earlier this month.
According to what I can tell, this was inspired by a TikTok challenge, which highlights the importance that social media, particularly among young people, can have.
A spokesman for Hyundai at the time stated in a statement:
“The spike in local auto thefts worries Hyundai Motor America. Our major goal has always been and will continue to be the safety and well-being of our clients and the neighborhood. All new Hyundai vehicles come standard with engine immobilizers, and these vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.”
A steel key used to start a vehicle is being targeted, according to James Bell, a representative for Kia.
“A subset of trim level car thefts have increased, and Kia America is aware of this. An immobilizer is installed on all 2022 models and trims either at the start of the year or as a running change. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are met or exceeded by all Kia cars offered for sale in the US.”