Half a million Kia and Hyundai cars at risk of fire | Digital Trends Spanish

Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America issued a recalled and a “park outside” order targeting owners of nearly half a million cars and SUVs produced by those companies and sold in the United States. The advisory recommends parking outside and away from buildings due to a potential defect that could potentially cause vehicles to spontaneously catch fire, even when not running.

The Hyundai models affected by the recall are the units of the Santa Fe SUV from 2016 to 2018, Santa Fe Sport from 2017 to 2018, Santa Fe XL from 2019 and Tucson from 2014 to 2015. For their part, the Kia models affected are the 2016 to 2018 K900 sedan and the 2014 to 2016 Sportage SUV. Hyundai is recalling 357,830 vehicles while Kia is recalling 126,747.

Manufacturers identified an increasing risk of fire in the engine compartment. Although the cause is unknown, it is believed that an electrical component in the anti-lock brake system may experience an internal electrical short that could increase the risk of fire while the vehicle is running or parked.

Dealers of both brands will inspect the vehicle’s anti-lock brake computerized control module, and can replace it with a new one if they determine it needs to be. Dealers will also replace a fuse that controls electrical power to the anti-lock brake control unit at no cost to owners. The new fuse will reduce the amount of power going into the module.

Both Hyundai and Kia are managed by the South Korea-based Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai Motor Group is the parent company of Hyundai, it has a majority stake in Kia that gives it control of that company: they share technology, platforms and engines.

In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationKia said it is aware of three vehicles that have caught fire from the defect, but also said vehicle owners can continue to drive safely but should park away from any buildings.

Kia’s recall notice can be viewed hereand Hyundai’s (also in English) can be found here.

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