Hyundai and Kia recall 3.3M vehicles over fire risk, tell drivers to ‘park outside’

Hyundai and Kia have issued recalls on more than 3.3 million vehicles because they may catch fire, adding that owners should “park outside.” The Korean automakers say the problem lies within the anti-lock brake system.

According to a consumer alert from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 1.64 million Hyundai vehicles are listed and 1.73 million Kia vehicles.

Hyundai vehicles:

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

Kia vehicles:

• 2014-2016 Cadenza.
• 2011-2013 Forte/Forte Koup.
• 2015-2017 K900.
• 2010-2015 Optima.
• 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid.
• 2011-2017 Rio.
• 2010 Rondo.
• 2011-2014 Sorento.
• 2011-2013 Soul.
• 2010-2013 Sportage.

The consumer alert, issued on Wednesday, Sept. 27, urges anyone who owns an affected vehicle to park outside away from structures until their vehicle can be repaired. The vehicle’s anti-lock brake module could leak fluid, causing an electrical shortage, which could lead to fires in the engine compartment whether the vehicle is parked or in drive.

Kia and Hyundai plan to send affected vehicle owners notification letters starting in mid-November. Dealers will replace the anti-lock brake fuse free of charge.

So far, Hyundai has not reported any fatalities or crashes but has reported 21 related vehicle fires in the U.S., and 22 instances of visible smoke, burning, and melting. Kia has reported no deaths, crashes, or injuries related to the defect but “knows of one engine compartment fire, three fires in the unit, and six instances of melting components,” according to the consumer alert.

The anti-lock brake system recall comes a little more than a month after Hyundai and Kia recalled nearly 92,000 vehicles over the increased risk of fires that could be caused by electrical components in oil pumps.