Kia and Hyundai recall 3.37 million US vehicles due to fire risk By Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hyundai and Kia are recalling a total of 3.37 million vehicles in the United States due to the risk of engine fires, telling owners to park outside and away from the structures until they are safe. complete the repairs.

Automakers say internal brake fluid leaks can cause an electrical short that could lead to a fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said owners should follow automakers’ advice and park vehicles outside until repairs are made.

Hyundai (OTC 🙂 said it has reports of 21 fires and 21 other thermal incidents since 2017 related to the recall, while Kia has reports of at least 10 confirmed fires and melting incidents. Neither automaker has accident reports, injuries or deaths or accidents related to the recalls, NHTSA said.

Kia America’s recall covers 1.73 million Borrego, Cadenza, Forte, Sportage, K900, Optima, Soul Rio, Sorento and Rondo vehicles. The recall covers multiple model years for each vehicle from 2010 through 2017, according to a document filed with NHTSA.

The vehicles’ hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) can experience an electrical short as a result of brake fluid leaks, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving, the automaker said.

Hyundai is recalling 1.64 million Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, Accent, Azera, Veloster, Santa Fe, Equus, Veracruz, Tucson, Tucson Fuel Cell and Santa Fe Sport vehicles from model years 2011 to 2015.

The anti-lock brake system (ABS) module can leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment while parked or driving, the automaker said in the document.

Hyundai plans to notify owners to take the vehicles to a dealership to replace the ABS module fuse. Kia is still working on a fix, NHTSA said. The automakers plan to notify owners about the recall in November.