Hyundai, Kia Vehicles Recalled Due to Fire Risk

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Kia, Hyundai Engine Fire Recall Overview: 

• Who: Kia and Hyundai are recalling 484,577 vehicles due to risk of engine fires.
• Why: The auto manufacturers said the vehicles can catch fire even when the engine is off so drivers should park them outside and away from structures.
• Where: The problem affects certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles sold nationwide.

Kia and Hyunadai are asking nearly half a million customers to park their vehicles outside and away from structures as they can spontaneously catch fire even when off.

In a safety notice posted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website Feb. 8, the automakers recommended that owners of select model year 2014-2016 Kia Sportage, 2016-2018 Kia K900 and 2016-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles do not park their cars near anything that could catch fire.

“Kia and Hyundai have identified an increasing risk of an engine compartment fire,” the notice said. “Although the cause remains unknown, the manufacturers believe an electrical component in the anti-lock brake system may experience an internal electrical short circuit that could increase the risk of fire both while the vehicle is being driven or parked.”

As a result, Hyundai is recalling 357,830 of certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. 

Kia is recalling 126,747 of certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles.

Kia and Hyundai will notify owners by mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia or Hyundai dealer for a free repair. Dealers will install a fuse designed to mitigate the risk of fire, the recall said.

Hyundai, Kia Investigated By NHTSA Due To Engine Failure Reports

The news comes as Hyundai and Kia vehicles are being investigated by the NHTSA following reports of engine failures leading to fires that have persisted for more than six years. 

The NHTSA probe, launched in December 2021, is looking into more than 3 million vehicles with model years between 2011 and 2016.

Eight additional recalls have since been initiated due to engine issues, according to the NHTSA. A total of 161 complaints have been forwarded to the NHTSA over engine fire issues, including in vehicles that had previously been recalled. 

Many of the recalls have reportedly been due to a manufacturing defect that has prevented oil from properly making its way into the engine block, causing the issue which led to expensive repairs.

In 2020, drivers reached an approximately $890 million Hyundai-Kia Engine settlement agreement to bring an end to claims that the companies sold defective engines that could unexpectedly catch fire.

The consolidated consumer vehicle defect class action lawsuits alleged that for almost ten years, both Hyundai and Kia knowingly sold vehicles equipped with defective engines. 

According to the lawsuits, the manufacturers equipped certain vehicles with Theta II 2.0-liter or 2.3-liter gasoline direct injection engines, which plaintiffs alleged could seize, fail or even catch fire.

What do you think about the ongoing issues with Hyundai and Kia? Join a Vehicle Safety Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation (links to paid attorney advertising).  

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