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Kia, Hyundai Engine Fire Investigation Overview:
- Who: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching a probe into Kia and Hyundai.
- Why: The NHTSA probe is due to reports of engine failures leading to fires in certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
- Where: The probe affects Kia and Hyundai vehicles sold nationwide.
Hyundai and Kia vehicles are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following reports of engine failures leading to fires that have persisted for more than six years.
The NHTSA probe is looking into more than 3 million vehicles with model years between 2011 and 2016. A recall was issued in September 2015 following reports of the engine and fire issues.
Eight additional recalls have since been initiated due to engine issues, according to the NHTSA, Newsweek reports.
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 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, Newsweek reports.
Probe Will Evaluate Whether Automakers Recalled As Many Vehicles As They Should Have
The NHTSA has since been looking into whether the two automakers recalled as many vehicles as they should have from the start.
The probe will also focus on the effectiveness of the proposed remedies and long-term solutions to the engine issues, according to the NHTSA. Three individuals have reported injuries related to burns and their eyes; however, no one has needed medical treatment due to the issue.
In November of last year, the NHTSA ordered Kia and Hyundai to pay $137 million in fines and safety upgrades after the agency determined it had not moved fast enough to recall vehicles with engine issues, Newsweek reports. The fine was the result of a prior probe into a prior recall of Kia and Hyundai vehicles which affected multiple models from the year 2011.
Kia was also ordered to pay $27 million in fines and invest $16 million in vehicle safety measures with another $27 million deferred, according to the NHTSA.
Hyundai is also currently in the midst of recalling 2,679 of its Ioniq electric vehicles, after reports of potential unintended acceleration occurring, InsideEVS reports.
The recall includes certain Ioniq EV vehicles with model years between 2017 and 2019 and built between January 2016 and June 2019.
The issue can be traced to unstable ground wiring, which can cause the vehicle to enter a “fail-safe” mode that is supposed to reduce power and acceleration; however, in certain conditions, this causes the vehicle to accelerate without the gas pedal being pressed, Hyundai says.
Hyundai has said its dealers will repair the issue for free by updating an affected vehicles’ Electric Power Control Unit software and repairing its ground wiring.
The vehicle’s braking and steering are both functional while the vehicle is in fail-safe mode; however, the company has said it is not aware of any accidents related to the issue, reports InsideEvs.
Hyundai reached a settlement agreement with drivers in 2019 to resolve claims it sold certain vehicles with defective sunroofs that were prone to shattering.
Do you own a Hyundai or Kia vehicle that has experienced engine issues? Let us know in the comments!
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14 thoughts onNHTSA Investigating Kia, Hyundai After More Reports Of Vehicle Engine Fires
I own a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. Purchased new. At 105,000, miles with regular oil changes, and other regular maintenance, it began loosing acceleration, sputtering and nearly cutting off & not pulling hills well. The transmission is not slipping, gears are changing good. Placed on diagnostic tool and no codes showed up. I ended up purchasing another vehicle because I needed RELIABLE transportation to and from work. It sat for 6 months save for an occasional spin around the block. Had a mechanic look at it for me, he drove it around the block. No oil smell or leakage of oil but checked it and it was smoking when dip stick was removed. It had burned out all the oil and was about to shut off to keep from locking up. I have not had a fire, but I would like more information and for this issue to be resolved. If that means a new engine due to faulty work/parts on manufacturers part, then someone point me in the right direction.
My 2013 Kia Forte 2.0 has the worst tap I’ve ever heard from a vehicle that is considered normal to them! I can’t afford a new engine and I want in on the class action lawsuit against them! It’s a ticking time bomb and my dash keeps getting hot and guess what it’s not covered under there recall for fires either!