Hyundai Motor and Kia to Recall 3.3 Million Vehicles in the U.S.

Engine Parts Fire Risk

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia announced on the 27th (local time) that they will recall approximately 1.6 million and 1.7 million vehicles respectively in the United States due to the risk of engine component fires, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

According to major foreign media, the Kia recall targets vehicles including the 2010?2019 Borrego (domestic name Mohave), 2014?2016 Cadenza (Korean name K7), 2010?2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015?2018 K900 (Korean name K9), 2011?2015 Optima, 2011?2013 Optima Hybrid and Soul, 2012?2017 Rio, 2011?2014 Sorento, and 2010?2011 Rondo.

Kia explained that the vehicle’s Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may cause a short circuit, which can lead to engine component fires while parked or driving.

Hyundai Motor Company building in Yangjae-dong, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Hyundai’s recall targets include certain 2011?2015 Elantra (Korean name Avante), Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012?2015 Accent, Azera (Korean name Grandeur), Veloster, 2013?2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014?2015 Equus, 2010?2012 Veracruz, 2010?2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport models.

Hyundai explained that the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid and cause a short circuit, which could result in engine component fires while parked or driving.

NHTSA stated that Kia and Hyundai will each replace the HECU and ABS fuses in the affected models.