Which Kia Cars Are Catching On Fire

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.

What year are Kias catching fire in?

An ongoing recall campaign for Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia vehicles includes almost 483,000 additional cars and SUVs.

shares of the news story

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 by the automakerswhich collaborate on parts, designs, and suppliersto leave their automobiles unattended and outside until a recall repair is finished.

What models of Kia have been 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.

Which Kia models have issues with the engines?

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.

Which automobile catches fire 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.

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.

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 Sportage is being recalled for what year?

Certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles are being recalled by Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai). An electrical short brought on by a broken Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could ignite an engine compartment fire. Affected units total 357,830. View the notice of recall here.

Certain 20202021 Accent vehicles are being recalled by Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai). The front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may blow up when they deploy in the case of a collision. There are 354 impacted units. View the notice of recall here.

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.

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.

What are some typical Kia issues?

bulletins for numerous vehicles that have had engine issues. among the most

Owners and tenants frequently report the following Kia engine issues:

  • power loss or stalling
  • A knocking noise
  • Seizing
  • Overheating
  • Leaks
  • Non-collision flames
  • Unpredictable engine failure [1]

Has Kia solved the issue with their engines?

In a deal to address the engine issues, the government declared in November 2020 that Hyundai and Kia would pay $137 million in fines and for safety enhancements. The announcement put an end to a three-year government investigation on the companies’ actions regarding model recalls dating back to 2011 model year.