3.4 Million Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Recalled Due to Fire Risks

What: Hyundai models from 2010 through 2015 and Kia models from 2010 through 2019. Read on for a complete list of vehicles. 

Who: Hyundai Motor America and Kia America.

Why: Hyundai vehicles with the Anti-Lock Brake System module installed may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. Kia vehicles equipped with a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

When: Hyundai and Kia issued their recall on September 25, 2023.

Where: Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold in the United States and Canada are affected by this recall. 

How Customers Can Identify the Recalled Products: Vehicle owners can enter their car's 17-digit vehicle identification number(VIN) into the NHTSA’s website or contact their local Hyundai or Kia dealership to verify if the recall has affected their vehicle. 

On September 27, 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a press release explaining that Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have issued “park outside” recalls for more than 3.4 million vehicles due to the risk of fire. According to Hyundai, in multiple vehicle models from 2010 through 2015, the Anti-Lock Brake System module installed may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. 

In a similar case, Kia vehicles with model years from 2010 through 2019 equipped with a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. As mentioned, due to the safety risks behind the vehicles, auto companies are urging customers to park their vehicles in a safe place, outside and away from homes and other structures, as both companies report that fires can occur whether the vehicle is parked and turned off or while driving. 

This isn’t the first time the South Korean vehicle company has had issues with fires. According to the Center for Auto Safety, the company has had issues with vehicle fires since 2015. On its website, the company successfully petitioned U.S. regulators to seek recalls in 2018, and since then, Hyundai has recalled more than 9.2 million vehicles for fires and engine problems. According to their reports, more than two dozen of the automaker's recalls involved over 20 vehicles from the 2006 through 2021 model years. 

Currently, the NHTSA is investigating 3 million vehicles made by the Hyundai Motor Group from 2011 through 2016  after it received 161 complaints of engine fires, some of which occurred in vehicles that had already been recalled. In 2028, the NHTSA reported receiving more than 3,100 fire complaints and reports of  103 injuries and one death. The vehicle company’s subsidiaries, Hyundai and Kia, were fined by NHTSA in 2020 for moving too slowly to recall the vehicles susceptible to engine failures. 

Which Vehicles Are Affected by the Recall?

Currently, there are 1,642,551 Hyundai models potentially affected, and 1,730,192 Kia vehicles are also potentially affected by the recall. The affected Kia vehicle models include the following:

• 2010-2019 Borrego
• 2014-2016 Cadenza
• 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup and Sportage
• 2015-2018 K900
• 2011-2015 Optima
• 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid and Soul
• 2012-2017 Rio
• 2011-2014 Sorento
• 2010-2011 Rondo

Kia has been made aware of one engine compartment fire, three fires in the unit, and six instances of melting components. Currently, the vehicle company does not know of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities associated with the defect affecting the vehicles. Kia plans to send out Owner notification letters by November 14, 2023. The letters will instruct owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. 

Kia dealers will also replace the HECU fuse for affected customers free of charge. For more information, owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284, and the NHTSA number for this recall is 23V652000. The Affected Hyundai vehicles include the following:

• 2011-2015 Elantra
• 2011-2015 Genesis Coupe
• 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid
• 2012-2015 Accent, 
• 2012-2015 Azera
• 2012-2015 Veloster
• 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe
• 2013-2015 Santa Fe 
• 2014-2015 Equus
• 2010-2012 Veracruz
• 2010-2013 Tucson
• 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell
• 2013 Santa Fe Sport

To date, Hyundai is unaware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities associated with this defect. However, there have been 21 related vehicle fires in the United States and 22 thermal incidents, including visible smoke, burning, and melting. Hyundai plans to send notification letters to vehicle owners by November 21, 2023, which inform owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Hyundai dealers will replace the ABS fuse for customers free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251, and NHTSA's number for this recall is 23V651000. 

For more information about the recall, Hyundai and Kia customers can head to the NHTSA’s website and enter their car's 17-digit VIN to verify if their vehicle has been affected. Customers can locate their VIN on the lower left of their car's windshield for their 17-character vehicle identification number. Your car's VIN can also be found on your car's registration card and on your insurance card. For more information, or if you believe you have been injured due to a defective vehicle,  customers can contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney.