Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 3.4 million vehicles in the United States and telling owners to park them outdoors because of the risk of engine compartment fires.
The recall covers a number of sedan and SUV models from 2010 to 2019, including Hyundai Santa Fe SUV and Kia Sorrento SUV.
Documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Wednesday said the antilock brake control module could leak fluid and cause an electrical short circuit, which could cause a fire when the vehicle is stopped or driven.
The automaker advises owners to park their cars outside and away from buildings until repairs are completed.
Dealers will replace anti-lock brake fuses free of charge for vehicle owners. Kia said in the filing that it will start sending notification letters to vehicle owners on November 14. Hyundai’s date is November 21st.
Hyundai reported 21 fires in affected vehicles in the United States, as well as 22 “thermal incidents,” including smoke, burning and melting parts, the document said. Kia reported 10 fires and meltdowns.
Hyundai said in a statement that owners can continue to drive their vehicles and that there have been no reports of collisions or injuries. The automaker said it was conducting the recall to ensure customer safety.
The company says that due to the presence of moisture, dirt and dissolved metals in brake fluid, the O-rings in anti-lock brake motor shafts can lose their sealing strength over time, causing leaks. The statement said the new fuse limits the operating current of the brake module.
Kia said in a statement that an engine room fire may have occurred in the area of the brake control unit due to an electrical short circuit that caused excessive current. The exact cause of the short circuit was not known and there were no crashes or injuries, the statement said.
Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, questioned why the companies didn’t address the leaks and why they waited so long to send letters to owners.
Brooks said the remedy is to replace one fuse with another, but brake fluid can still leak, potentially causing safety issues.
“Why not fix this problem?” he asked. “What you’re not doing here is fixing the O-rings and leaks that are causing the problem. You’re fighting a symptom or part of the problem without actually solving the underlying design problem.”
Brooks also questioned why NHTSA only allowed these companies to replace the fuses and why vehicle owners didn’t immediately receive interim letters warning them of serious problems. “You might think you should now notify those property owners that they shouldn’t park their cars in their garages or their houses could catch fire,” he said.
Statements from both companies did not say why the fluid leak was not repaired or why it took about two months to notify owners by letter. Spokespersons for both companies said they would investigate the issues.
NHTSA said that under federal motor vehicle safety laws, automakers have the option of remedial measures to fix defects. The agency said it will monitor the effectiveness of the fixes and launch an investigation if necessary.
In addition, the agency said automakers have 60 days to notify owners of recalled vehicles by letter, but mail can usually be done earlier.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also issued a statement Wednesday warning owners to park their vehicles outside until repairs are completed.
Affected Kia models include the 2010 to 2019 Borrego, 2014 to 2016 Cadenza, 2010 to 2013 Forte, Forte Koup and Sportage, 2015 to 2018 K900, and 2011 to 2015 Optima , 2011 to 2013 Optima Hybrid and Soul, 2012 to 2017 Rio, 2011 to 2014 Sorento and 2010 to 2011 Rondo.
Hyundai models included in the recall include 2011 to 2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe and Sonata Hybrid, 2012 to 2015 Accent, Azera and Veloster, 2013 to 2015 Elantra Coupe and Santa Fe, 20144 2015 Elantra 2010 to 2015 Vintage Equus. 2012 Veracruz, 2010 to 2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell and 2013 Santa Fe Sport.
Owners can go to www.nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter the 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is affected.
Hyundai and Kia have been plagued by fire problems since 2015. The Center for Auto Safety successfully petitioned U.S. regulators in 2018 to seek recalls, and said on its website that automakers have recalled more than 9.2 million vehicles for fire and engine problems, not counting the recalls announced Wednesday. More than two dozen of those recalls involve more than 20 models from the 2006 to 2021 model years.
Additionally, NHTSA is investigating Automakers produced 3 million vehicles From 2011 to 2016 model years. NHTSA said it has received 161 complaints of engine fires, some of which occurred in recalled vehicles.
In June 2018, NHTSA said it had received complaints from vehicle owners involving more than 3,100 fires, 103 injuries and one death.Hyundai and Kia are Fined by NHTSA in 2020 Vehicles prone to engine failure cannot be recalled because they are traveling too slowly.
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