Fire Risk: Hyundai and Kia Recall More Than Three Million Vehicles

by Chris Teague

Published: September 28th, 2023

fire risk hyundai and kia recall more than three million vehicles

Though EV fires receive a tremendous amount of attention in the news, they are far less common proportionally than gas vehicle fires. Sure, we’ve seen a few massive recalls for EV fires in recent years, including a massive campaign involving every Chevy Bolt and Bolt EUV made between 2017 and 2023, but gas vehicles are still more likely to catch fire. Hyundai and Kia are the latest manufacturers to issue a fire-related recall, this time for millions of gas vehicles with faulty hydraulic electronic control units (HECU) and antilock brake modules.

The affected Kia vehicles’ HECUs can experience an electrical short as they age, which causes excess electrical current, increasing the fire risk. The automaker said the exact cause of the short is unknown but noted that fires could occur when the vehicle is parked or in use. In total, the recall wrapped up more than three million vehicles from both automakers, with around 1.7 million Kias and 1.6 million Hyundais.

Kia’s recalling several models, including:

· 2010-2019 Borrego

· 2014-2016 Cadenza

· 2010-2013 Forte (includes Koup)

· 2010-2013 Sportage

· 2015-2018 K900

· 2011-2015 Optima (2011-2013 Optima Hybrid)

· 2011-2013 Soul

· 2012-2017 Rio

· 2010-2011 Rondo

· 2011-2014 Sorento

While fire-related, Hyundai’s recall is due to issues with the antilock brake system module. Similar to Kia’s HECU problems, the ABS in some Hyundai models can experience an electrical overcurrent, increasing the fire risk. Recall documentation states that the O-ring material in the ABS can be damaged over time, allowing brake fluid to leak onto electrical components.

The list of Hyundai models involved in the recall includes:

· 2012-2015 Accent

· 2012-2015 Azera

· 2011-2015 Elantra

· 2011-2015 Genesis Coupe (prior to Genesis becoming a separate brand)

· 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid

· 2012-2015 Veloster

· 2010-2012 Veracruz

· 2013 Santa Fe Sport

· 2014-2015 Equus

· 2013-2015 Santa Fe

· 2010-2013 Tucson

Hyundai said it is aware of 21 fires and 22 “thermal incidents” (sounds a lot like a fire) related to the problem. Both automakers noted that owners can continue driving their vehicles but advised that they must be parked outside and away from structures. Kia dealers will replace the HECU unit if required, and Hyundai stores will replace ABS fuses if there is a problem.

[Image: Hyundai]

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#Hyundai #Kia #Recalls #NHTSA

Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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3 of 27 comments

The Oracle on Oct 01, 2023

Good news is that based on the model years many of these have already been junked or experienced terminal engine failure.

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Laura on Oct 01, 2023

I just buy a Hyndai Elantra SEL, and My car started to have issues with the AC dont work the air sometimes is really hot and later cold and also I heard a noice in the engine so I went to the dealer for the first service and explain what was hapenning to the AC they told me that the car was getting hot because the vent is not working I didnt know that the car was getting hot because it doesnt show nothing no sign no beep nothing I was surprise and also I notice that it needed engine oil, I think that something is wrong with this car because is a model 23 and I just got it on April only 5 months use. is this normal ? Also my daughter bought the same model and she went for a trip and the car also got hot and it didnt show up in the system she called them and they said to take the car to the dealer for a check up I think that if the cars are new they shouldnt be having this problems.

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- 28-Cars-Later on Oct 01, 2023
  
  Something similar happened to the compressor of a friend's Toyota @ 110K, the diagnosis was the electronics or a sensor in the compressor itself. She had it replaced at my guy's shop and fortunately it took R134a so the whole process was only around $850.
  
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