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 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
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.
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 models of Hyundai are being recalled?
Palisade 2020-2021 Hyundai Recall Certain 2020–2021 Palisade vehicles are being recalled by Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai). The wipers could stop working because the windshield wiper motor could stop working. Failure of the windshield wipers can impair visibility and raise the possibility of a collision. The treatment is still being created.
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 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 engines are in need of repair?
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.
Which Hyundai SUVs are subject to recall?
Owners must leave their vehicles outside and away from buildings until they can receive a free repair.
More vehicles from Kia and Hyundai are being recalled owing to a fire danger, and owners of all 2020–2022 Hyundai Palisade SUVs and some 2020–2022 Kia Telluride SUVs are being advised to park outdoors and away from buildings. The two recalls include more than 281,000 automobiles.
This time, the issue is with defective wire harnesses for trailer hitches, which have already caused at least 25 instances of fires and/or melting, some of which occurred when the cars were switched off. The recalled hitches were either factory-installed or bought from Kia and Hyundai dealers.
Both automakers claim that a patch is being developed for the issue but that it isn’t yet ready.
Debris accumulating on a printed circuit board within the trailer hitch can result in a short circuit and a fire, which is the problem. Even though some vehicles encountered more serious fires, melting is the main complaint sent to the OEMs.
In records submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Hyundai stated that in addition to eight melting occurrences in Canada and eight more in the United States, it is aware of three associated fires in Canada but none in the United States. Six fires were mentioned by Kia, five of which only resulted in “localized melting.” According to NHTSA paperwork, no accidents or injuries related to either recall have been reported.
With a 33.88 percent stake, Hyundai Motor Company is Kia Motors’ largest stakeholder. Both automakers use the same suppliers, parts, and designs. Both Hyundai and Kia have issued numerous fire-related recalls in recent years, affecting more than 3.7 million vehicles. They included leaks of brake fluid, fuel, and oil as well as concerns with the ABS sensor, hydraulic brake components, and engines.
Following an investigation by NHTSA, which found that Hyundai and Kia had delayed earlier fire-related recalls, the automakers were hit with civil fines totaling $210 million in 2020.
What are Hyundai’s most frequent issues?
Since the engine is the heart of the car, having a malfunctioning one can be irritating and, frequently, scary. Engine issues with Hyundai automobiles are frequently reported. These issues can range from ticking or strange noises to stalling, cutting out, or seizing. The 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonata appear to have been most affected by these problems. Both the Sonata and Elantra have a history of internal electrics problems, which can lead to improper engine operation. To get you back on the road, any engine problems should be fixed right away.
How many times has Hyundai been recalled?
recalls for Hyundai Based on factors like model year, manufacture date, and VIN range, they are typically restricted to a particular subset of automobiles. Owners and lessees are given free recall repairs, but the most are one-time deals. The Sonata has seen 56 recalls, more than any other Hyundai vehicle.