Hyundai and Kia are facing yet another major recall, and this time it involves nearly 3.4 million vehicles in the United States. The two automakers are advising owners to park their cars outside due to the risk of engine compartment fires. The recall covers multiple car and SUV models from the 2010 through 2019 model years, including popular models such as Hyundai’s Santa Fe SUV and Kia’s Sorento SUV.
According to documents posted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the cause of these fires is believed to be a faulty anti-lock brake control module. The module can leak brake fluid, causing an electrical short that can ignite a fire while the vehicle is parked or in motion. As a precautionary measure, Hyundai and Kia are advising owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures until repairs can be made.
Both automakers have reported incidents of fires and other thermal incidents, such as smoke, burning, and melting of parts. Hyundai reported 21 fires and 22 ‘thermal incidents’ in its vehicles, while Kia reported 10 fires and melting incidents. Thankfully, there have been no reports of injuries or crashes related to these issues.
In a statement, Hyundai explained that the root cause of the problem is an O-ring in the anti-lock brake motor shaft that loses sealing strength over time due to the presence of moisture, dirt, and dissolved metals in the brake fluid. To address the issue, Hyundai will be replacing the anti-lock brake fuse at no cost to owners. The company also emphasized that owners can continue to drive their vehicles until repairs are made.
Kia, on the other hand, is citing an electrical short in the area of the brake control unit as the cause of the fires. The company was unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the short circuit, and there have been no reports of crashes or injuries related to this issue. Like Hyundai, Kia will also be sending notification letters to owners starting November 14.
The recalls highlight a persistent problem for Hyundai and Kia. Since 2015, the two automakers have been plagued by engine and fire risks, and they have recalled over 9.2 million vehicles to address these issues. In 2018, the Center for Auto Safety successfully petitioned U.S. regulators to seek recalls after receiving complaints from owners about fires, injuries, and even one death. This latest recall involving 3.4 million vehicles is yet another blow for the automakers, and it remains to be seen if it will have any impact on their reputation and sales.
In the meantime, the two companies are urging affected owners to park their vehicles outside until repairs are completed. Dealers will replace the anti-lock brake fuse, but it is concerning that the underlying issue of brake fluid leaks and potential fire hazards is not being addressed. Safety advocates and experts are questioning why this is not being addressed and why it will take two months for letters to be sent to owners informing them of the risk. NHTSA also issued a statement warning owners to park these vehicles outdoors until repairs are made. It remains to be seen if the repairs will be sufficient to prevent any further incidents, and NHTSA says it will monitor the effectiveness of the repairs and open an investigation if needed. In the meantime, owners are advised to exercise caution and follow instructions from the automakers to ensure their safety.
