Park Your Hyundai And Kia Outside: 571K Vehicles Recalled Over Potential Fire Risk
Several Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been recalled due to a potential fire risk hazard. Here's what you need to know.
The Korean Automobile makers, Kia and Hyundai, have announced a massive recall for over 571,000 vehicles. This recall over a potential fire risk hazard is not one that you want to look past. The companies have advised that you park your vehicle outside due to the fire hazard involved in this recall. This isn't the first time that we have seen recalls from these companies due to fire hazards. In fact, last year Kia and Hyundai had a very similar recall. That round of recalls from Hyundai and Kia stems from contamination in the antilock brake control module that can cause an electrical short. Then in 2021, Kia issued a recall urging drivers to park their vehicles outside due to the electrical circuit within the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience "a short circuit condition that results in excessive current, thereby increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire."
Now, in March of 2023. there is a new fire risk recall where the companies urging owners to park their vehicles outside and away from homes and other structures. Here's what you need to know about.
Hyundai and Kia Recall
According to the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration:
<p>Until the free recall repair is completed, owners should continue to park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or buildings, even if the vehicle is turned off.</p><p>An electrical short could potentially start a fire in the tow hitch harness module. Owners should contact their Hyundai or Kia dealership to schedule a <strong>FREE</strong> repair.</p>
Affected Hyundai vehicles include:
- 2019 to 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
- 2021 to 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
- 2022 and 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in hybrid
- 2022 and 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
- 2022 and 2023 Kia Carnival minivan
All have Hyundai or Kia tow hitch harnesses that came as original equipment or were installed by dealers. NPR reports that Hyundai has reports of one fire and five heat damage incidents with no injuries. Kia has no reports of fires or injuries. NPR goes on to say:
Dealers at first will remove the fuse and tow hitch computer module until a fix is available. Later they will install a new fuse and wire extension with an improved connector that's waterproof. Owners will be notified starting May 16.