Irvine, CA – February 13, 2022 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 126,747 cars that may catch fire, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. This recall is just of the many Kia and its shareholder Hyundai had to do because of fire-related issues that have been plaguing both manufacturers.
SUVs and sedans that are affected by this recall include:
- 2016 – 2018 Kia K900
- 2014 – 2016 Kia Sportage
Recall summary
The anti-lock brake system, or ABS, is a safety system that adjusts the braking force to each wheel, preventing them from locking up while braking hard or on slippery surfaces. On affected vehicles, the ABS module may overheat and cause a fire inside the engine bay. The exact reason for overheating is still unknown, although it is suspected to be caused by an “internal electrical short“.
The component in question is the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) – which is part of the ABS module – with part numbers 58920-3T380 and 58920-3W810 for K900 and Sportage, respectively.
Recall risks
For more on the risks of this recall, please visit this article about a similar Kia recall.
Safety tips
Kia advises owners to park their vehicles outside, away from other vehicles and structures. This will prevent additional property damage in the event of a fire when the vehicle is stationary.
Warning signs
The driver may be alerted to the electrical short by the check engine or ABS warning light. Other warning signs include a burning smell and smoke coming from underneath the hood.
Other Kia Sportage recalls
In March 2021, 2018-2021 Sportage cars were part of a recall due to the same issue, as reported.
Additionally, over 50 model-years are currently subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation to see if the remedies that have been issued for existing recalls are enough to fix the problem. The regulators are also looking into complaints about vehicles not part of these recalls catching fire to see if they need to be recalled as well.
The repair
To fix the issue, dealers will replace the fuse with an uprated one, which will prevent the HECU from short circuiting and overheating. Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent on March 31, 2022.
Is your vehicle part of this recall?
This recall caused by Kia engine fires is affecting more than 120,000 vehicles. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.