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 bought my car at Mike Shaw Kia 11/09/18 for 19,074.73 and i was never told the car had open recalls for the motor/brakes. I would have never purchased it. I traded my 2010 Sportage that ran as a 1000 dollar down payment. When it’s fair bluebook value was 4500.The Carfax Report shows no open recalls. But it’s a lie. Beginning August 2013 the first recall sc099 the right front Axle shaft can fracture due to manufacture defect. March 2017 recall sc147 factory defect debris generated from the factory bearing wear which will produce knocking that may lead to vehicle stalling at anytime. Dec 2018 recall 17v-224 knock sensor detection system.
April 2019 received improvement campaign to preform software update on the ECU. 8/19 check engine light came on and vehicle stalled. Took it to Mike Shaw Kia they replaced air filter told me everything is fine no open recalls. Which is another lie . I was unaware that 3/19 Kia issued recalls 20v-750, 21v-844 engine and components failure. I was never sent anything on this. Recall 20v-519. HydraulicElectronic Control Unit leaking will cause electrical short , damage ABS, traction control, service brakes, hydraulics, stability control. 10/20 received notice HECU recall 20v519 immediately contact Kia. 10/20 took car to Mike Shaw they replaced clock spring. And preformed sc 197 replacement. After inspection told me ac and transmission needed serviced 330.00. Not my motor or brakes. I’ve owned this vehicle for less than a year at this point. Still was unaware of a motor recall or any life threatening issues. 2/21 took car to Mike Shaw Kia to get recommended services. From 10/20. They flushed my transmission? Why I don’t know because I read not to flush my transmission unless it’s being replaced (never). The new inspection they gave this time stated I needed brakes and I had no brake fluid, etc 1300.00 dollars. (They just worked on my brake system 10/20 replacing HECU. Did they not put brake fluid afterwards? Or was it leaking again? ) the inspection had no open recalls or campaigns. Another lie 2/21 had my brakes done regular oil changes. Car engine went out 11/22 no reason. 3 months at Mike Shaw Kia they replaced motor after lots of fact finding production. I rented a truck which I paid for until Kia finally agreed to fix my motor. Then Kia rented me a vehicle until my Kia was returned on 1/31/23. I picked up car 1/31/23 with open brake recall unaware of the implications that my brakes could freeze up at anytime or at any speed causing me to lose control and jeopardizing my daughters life and others. I had no choice but to take car with open recall because Kia would no longer pay for my rental even though my vehicle was still broken with life threatening conditions if I continued to drive it. Because Kia had no remedy to fix it. 3/12 car won’t start mechanic said alternator was barely hanging on because someone forgot to tighten it after they replaced my motor. Needed belt and alternator. 3/31 brake light comes on take and have it checked diagnostic codes, Anti-locking Brake System NO SOLUTION FOUND. Called Mike Shaw Kia told me there was nothing they could do about the recall until they got parts. They would call me. 2/23 had car inspected open recall sc212 HECU and fuse box. 9/23 brakes went out/ locked up. Kia USA towed it to Mike Shaw Kia they told me 75.00 to look at my car. The inspection estimate 2400.00 to fix my brakes. and I need to confirm or come get my car. I asked about the recall it doesn’t have to do with that part of my car even though it is my brakes. (And according to Nhtsa the engine recall is associated to 8 other recalls including brakes.)I will have to pay for all repairs. So Kia sold me the vehicle with open recalls and to this day it has open recalls. 3 yrs later. I risk my life and my daughters life everyday I get in that car. I know because I was driving when the motor went out and I had no control. I was pulling into a parking lot just getting off the expressway during 5 o’clock traffic when my brakes locked up no control. I know Gods looking out for me not Kia. The hecu unit has been replaced 2 times at this point. And to top it all off I still make my car payment every month on time. And my car is at the dealer with no brakes for 6 weeks now. And 20 days ago I emailed Mike Shaw Kia and the service manager said he was going to look into my situation and get back to me. He hasn’t returned my emails as of today. And now kia is denying reimbursement for actual expense I incurred when I had to tow my vehicle , and rent a car before they would get me a rental when they replaced the motor. The motor was replaced this year. The class action/ Kia said I missed the deadline of Aug 2019. For reimbursement due to engine failure on my vehicle. I still have components affected by engine failure that were not addressed. The alternator/belt was not on properly installed after engine replacement( Kia had to remove it to install new engine) oil was almost out, brakes were not working properly etc. I have tried to reason with y’all. But this is it. I’m putting my daughter in danger and I refuse to do it any longer. What do you suggest? I do-not/ consent agree with anything from Kia until I see it in writing. And you check open recalls for my vin on Hyundia/Kia no open recalls. But you check nhtsa website and there is. And nhtsa states the engine recall on my Sorento has 8 other recalls associated including brakes. So I am confused about kia denying anything they are the ones who have done the work on my Kia and they are aware of all the facts I just recited. They are well aware of all the (6)recalls, (233)manufacturer communications, (7) investigations,(777)complaints, technical bulletins, and court cases against Hyundia/Kia for concealing defects with the Kia Sorento engine and brakes. 2 major defects that has jeopardized my daughter and others. And Kia is still trying to neglect their responsibility in the defects. Kia manufactured the vehicle and is liable for its defects. I have paid my payment done all my maintenance to the T. And I have had nothing but failure with this lemon. All I want is a safe vehicle for me and my daughter to get to school and work. Is that asking too much?? I cannot afford high ticket repairs every 3 months, towing, car rentals, etc. what do y’all suggest? Well 10/31/23 I traded my Sorento back to Mike Shaw Kia so I could have transportation. I could no longer afford a rental. The Sorento still had open recall 10/31/23 when I traded. As of 11/3/23 the recall was no longer on my Sorento. So they promptly fixed my Sorento once I traded it to them. I drove months with open recall because they said they could not fix it. Putting my daughter and others in danger. And now it’s fixed. Or they are lying about fixing the recall. I don’t know but it’s no longer showing a recall. Three days!!
They owe me thousands for rental cars, towing, and repairs that they are denying. And I have all receipts. What do y’all suggest?
Samantha Shetters
Without Prejudice
UCC 1-207-2 2.
Update Kia agreed to give me towing and rental for when motor was replaced. But have not agreed on anything with the Hecu unit ABS brake failure. For rental, towing, repairs and having to trade my car for another one just to have transportation for work and school because Kia wouldn’t pay my rental car. Even though the documentation states that Kia is not allowed by law to return my vehicle without fixing the recall. And they did that twice had I known this at the time. But no one at Kia disclosed anything to me about the facts or even the recalls. My paperwork shows this early on. No open recalls. And again I went on Hyundia/Kia Manufactures website and my vehicles vin# showed no recalls on my vehicle at all. But then I went to Nhtsa website and my Kia shows 6 recalls 1 open on 10/31/23. How is this possible? And 3 days later I looked up my vehicle on Nhtsa to verify complaint and my vehicle had no recalls or open recalls. They let me drive this vehicle for months with open recalls! Endangering my daughters life, mine , and others and would not fix it. As soon as I traded it they fixed it. I believe I was put in a situation that I had no choice but to trade my car for another vehicle because I didn’t have any transportation. I couldn’t afford a rental because they denied reimbursements. I couldn’t get to work or school and pay my car insurance payment or car payment. My Sorento was almost paid for. Know I’m in debt again
On June 28, 2023, while driving on a busy highway, my car’s engine suddenly emitted sparks and black smoke, causing it to seize up and preventing me from accelerating. Fortunately, I was able to avoid an accident. I had my car towed multiple times to the dealer, where they had to replace the engine. During the repair, which took several months, I had to rent a car. In September, I was forced to buy a new car. Finally, in October, my Hyundai was ready for pick-up, but I was charged an additional $300 for a spark plug. Can you please assist me in recovering some of these expenses?On June 28, 2023, while driving on a busy highway, my car’s engine suddenly emitted sparks and black smoke, causing it to seize up and preventing me from accelerating. Fortunately, I was able to avoid an accident. I had my car towed multiple times to the dealer, where they had to replace the engine. During the repair, which took several months, I had to rent a car. In September, I was forced to buy a new car. Finally, in October, my Hyundai was ready for pick-up, but I was charged an additional $300 for a spark plug. Can you please assist me in recovering some of these expenses?On June 28, 2023, while driving on a busy highway, my car’s engine suddenly emitted sparks and black smoke, causing it to seize up and preventing me from accelerating. Fortunately, I was able to avoid an accident. I had my car towed multiple times to the dealer, where they had to replace the engine. During the repair, which took several months, I had to rent a car. In September, I was forced to buy a new car. Finally, in October, my Hyundai was ready for pick-up, but I was charged an additional $400 for a spark plug. Can you please assist me in recovering some of these expenses?
2013 Kia soul, and not able to file a claim because apparently my Vin number does not match up to the class act
My car is definitely at risk for this and I am not able to file a claim because it’s saying that my Vin number does not match up
Just recently had a 2009 kia sportage and had the HECU recall taken care of earlier this year. Now I own a 2014 kia sorento and they’re telling me they don’t have the parts to take care of the recall, something seems fishy. Add me to the list please.
my car is a total loss due to fire and Hyundai has absolutely been doing their best to avoid paying me and I can’t get a lawyer interested since I wasn’t physically injured
Kia rio 2013 justed received my recall letter I have 3 recall
I have a Kia 1999 Kia Forte that has already had a recall for transmission replacement. I am very leery of driving my car now. Please add me to the list.
I qualify. I’ve owned Kia & Hyundai
I qualify. I own a Hyundai Sonata. This is the 4th Hyundai I have owned.
I qualify i own hyundai vehicles and have only owned hyundai vehicles.