NHTSA investigation overview:
- Who: The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 16 recalls of 6.4 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles due to fire hazard, Reuters reported.
- Why: The NHTSA will look into the companies’ compliance with reporting requirements and timeliness in reporting the recalls while fixing the issues that led to the Hyundai/Kia recalls.
- Where: The Hyundai recalls and Kia recalls were effective across the United States.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that it will examine the 16 recalls of 6.4 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles in recent years due to fire hazards to determine whether the companies appropriately handled the recalls, according to Reuters.
The NHTSA examination will look into whether the companies followed NHTSA’s required timelines and reporting requirements related to the recalls as well as how the companies handled resolving the issues that led to the recalls.
NHTSA said that it wanted to “understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls,” according to Reuters.
Hyundai told media outlets in a statement that it was “fully cooperating with NHTSA” and “puts the safety of our customers and employees as the top priority in everything we do.”
Kia told Reuters and others in a statement that it “will work closely and in cooperation with NHTSA” during the NHTSA investigation.
September recalls came after 21 vehicle fires and 22 “thermal incidents,” companies reported
The companies announced in September that they would recall more than 3 million vehicles combined over concerns they contain a defect that could cause them to experience a fire in their engine compartment.
After that recall, the companies asked consumers to park the cars outside and away from home and structures until the recall issue was resolved. The fires could occur both when the car was on and when it was turned off and not driving, the Hyundai and Kia recall notice said.
The vehicles’ anti-lock brake system modules could leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short that led to an engine compartment fire, the Kia and Hyundai recalls said.
At the time of the recall notice, there had already been 21 related vehicle fires in the United States and 22 thermal incidents that included visible smoke, burning and melting.
Have you been impacted by the Hyundai and Kia recalls? Let us know in the comments.
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25 thoughts onNHTSA opens investigation into Hyundai, Kia recalls over fire risks
I have a 2012 Kia optima
I have a Kia Sorento and was notified by Kia last September to park the vehicle outside in the event it catches fire. Exposure to bad weather, sap from the trees etc is damaging the finish of the car. I called a dealership and was told by someone in the service department that all the vehicle will require us replacement of a couple of fuses. 7 months later and they still won’t fix the car, and I’m still having to park it out in the street. Not to mention having to drive a car every day that apparently may spontaneously catch fire. Not real happy to say the least.
2015-2016 Hyundai Genesis all are hazardous
I have the same issue with a chemical like smell. I took it in on a recall and they stated they had to order a part but kept my car all day. Shouldn’t you have a part for a recall if you have a customer to bring the car in? The manager stated he had no ETA on the part but will call me to bring it back in. that was 5 months ago, it took me 3 months just to get the appointment. I’m still paying for this crap and have nothing but problems. I park out on the street just in case. They need to pick all these cars up. Why pay for something hazardous? It should be a return policy!!!
I got a notice for my Kia Niro 2018. Still paying the car off. But worry all the time that the vehicle will catch on fire. Need a class action lawyer. Why should I continue to pay for a vehicle that can put my life in jeopardy.
My 2010 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid caught fire on the hyway and burnt down. Hyundai is not taking any action. I will wait for them to admit.
Please include me. I was advised not to park my vehicle for months outside away from building. Still no remedy
My 2016 kia has 2 engine rebuilds and going in the third due to this bull. And now starting to smell real bad chemical burning smell periodically that no one will look at
My 2016 kia optima caught fire in 2021 please add me
They say the didn’t owe me anything and to call my insurance but I paid my car off with a lawsuit I had won I was happy when I purchased my car because it was the car I thought I wanted until it became a headache and caught fire. It’s the same thing when a friend of mine got her Koa stolen they’re still trying to say she has to pay them when they know darn well they got an insurance write off for it they just not trying to inform her they want to be double paid and this is disgusting when companies do this and then they wonder why we don’t trust them. I want my money I paid for my car because I was out of a car until this year when I purchased my bmw x1 never again will I even purchase anything from them ever all there cars suck and so does there attitudes towards how that company handles its customers. That is unacceptable behavior
Common oil consumption/ burning excessive oil complaints for owners. – Have had to replace transmission, engine, fuel injector. Owned vehicle for 15 months. LOOKING For a class action lawyer!
Same here
Same issues here. Taken exceptional care of the vehicle and have records to prove it. Need to get representation
My 2014 Kia Optima caught on fire without any warning! Then Kia turns around and tells me they don’t’ owe me anything after I paid over $30k and the car was paid off!!