Kia To Recall 71,000 Sportage SUVs Over Fire Risk; Owners Advised To Park Vehicles Outside

After multiple cases of four-wheelers catching fire, Kia is recalling 71,000 cars in the US for fire risks and is advising owners to park outside and away from buildings.

Kia to recall 71,000 SUVs

The South Korean automobile manufacturer said it is recalling over 70,000 2008-2009 model year Sportage vehicles. It said the owners should park outside and away from structures until the recall repair has been performed.

Kia

The problem has to do with the hydraulic engine control unit (HECU), which is part of the anti-lock brake system (ABS). The HECU has been involved in many other fire-related recalls involving Kia vehicles.

Kia has identified eight vehicle fires and 15 localised melting/damage incidents since 2017 in the Sportage sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The company had previously recalled these vehicles in 2016 to replace the HECU and a related connector.

Reuters

Kia tells owners to park outside and away from buildings

According to a Kia filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), owners should park outside and away from structures or other vehicles until the recall is completed.

Kia and NHTSA discussed the issue during their monthly meetings in September and October.

Kia said the cause of the "post-recall fire incidents is unknown and still under investigation."

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The automaker said there were no fatalities, injuries, or crashes associated with the incidents. Kia expects to notify owners by mail of the recall in late December.

Both Kia and its parent company, Hyundai, have issued multiple recalls in recent years that include more than 3.5 million vehicles that may be at risk of catching fire for various reasons.With 33.88 percent ownership, Hyundai Motor Company is the largest shareholder in Kia Motors..

Previously, Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been recalled due to fire risks. This involved brake fluid leaks, faulty oil pans, fuel leaks, oil leaks, ABS sensor problems, HECU issues, and engine problems. Both automakers have issued several other recalls for similar HECU-related issues in vehicles, including the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, and Kia Cadenza, Optima, and Sorento.

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