TRENTON, NJ – If you own a Kia or Hyundai, you might want to park your car inside your garage to avoid it from being stolen. You also might not want to park it in your garage or near your house, because the vehicles were just recalled because of a serious fire risk.
New Jersey police departments have been giving out steering wheel locks for the vehicles this year after it was made known how easy they are to steal, but now, there’s more bad news for owners of both brands. They have been recalled and the companies advise you to park your car away from your house until you get it fixed.
Hyundai and Kia have announced a recall of 3.37 million vehicles in the U.S. for potential engine fires, advising owners to park away from buildings until repairs are made. The carmakers say brake fluid leaks could cause electrical shorts that may lead to fires.
Hyundai disclosed reports of 21 fires and 21 thermal incidents since 2017 tied to the recall. Kia recorded at least 10 confirmed fires and melting incidents. The vehicles involved are 1.73 million Kia Borrego, Cadenza, Forte, Sportage, K900, Optima, Soul Rio, Sorento, and Rondo from model years 2010 through 2017. According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short due to brake fluid leaks, resulting in a fire.
Hyundai is recalling 1.64 million Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, Accent, Azera, Veloster, Santa Fe, Equus, Veracruz, Tucson, Tucson Fuel Cell, and Santa Fe Sport vehicles, covering model years from 2011 through 2015. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally, causing an electrical short and potentially a fire.
Dealers will replace the HECU and ABS fuses, if needed. Vehicle owners will be notified of the recalls in November.