Kia issues second recall for older Sportage SUVs over fire risk

Kia issues second recall for older Sportage SUVs over fire risk

November 4, 2022 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – November 4, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is once again recalling 71,704 2008 and 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUVs due to the risk of these vehicles catching fire while driving or parked.

These cars were previously repaired for the same problem in 2016 but caught fire several times since, prompting the manufacturer to issue another recall. This is the latest chapter in the Kia and Hyundai fire-related saga.

Recall summary

The vehicles in question may experience an “engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU)”, which is part of the anti-lock brake system, or ABS module.

The exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation. However, in at least one case, the vehicle that caught fire had “corroded wiring near connector and foreign substances/corrosion on printed circuit board (PCB),” which is a “medium” used to host the car’s “electronic components.”

Background of the recall

The same vehicles were repaired in 2016 due an electrical short within HECU caused by corrosion from an “improperly sealed” HECU cover. Dealers addressed the problem by inspecting the modules and replacing them if any traces of corrosion were present. 

But it appears that the repair may not have been sufficient, given that the current recall comes on the heels of 8 fires and 15 “melting” incidents that occurred in cars post-repair.

Recall risks

Risks with vehicle fires are well documented here and in previous similar recalls, such as this Hyundai fire issue from August 2022. 

Warning signs

If the HECU module overheats or catches fire, the ABS warning light on the dashboard may illuminate. Apart from that, the driver or occupants may notice the smell of burning or observe smoke.

Safety tips

Kia advises owners to park outdoors and away from buildings or other vehicles until the problem has been resolved. For tips on what to do in the even of fire, please visit the following article about yet another Kia fire recall.

Other Kia Sportage recalls

These fire issues are not the only problem that has been troubling the Korean manufacturer lately. Just a few days ago, they had to recall a batch of brand-new Kia Sportages that might catch fire. 

Vehicle fires are a problem that Kia and its sister company, Hyundai, have been tackling for some time now. These issues have been recapped in this article. 

The repair

At this time, the manufacturer is working on a solution for this Kia fire risk issue. Once available, the final repair will be free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will receive notification about the current issue on or around December 22, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 70,000 SUVs are being recalled over this Kia engine fire risk. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicKia issues second recall for older Sportage SUVs over fire risk
Can your Kia or Hyundai vehicle catch on fire?

Can your Kia or Hyundai vehicle catch on fire?

October 12, 2022 Bojan Popic ,

Washington, D.C. – October 13, 2022 – The year of the Tiger is proving to be truly “fiery” for both Hyundai (OTCMKTS: HYMTF) and Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF). 

Both manufacturers are subject to an ongoing U.S government investigation that may affect as many as 3 million vehicles due to potential engine failures. In addition, over 1 million of additional makes are subject to unrelated recalls that may also result in a fire. 

Fires greatly increase the possibility of the car occupants – and potentially surrounding motorists  – getting seriously injured. Worse yet, they can occur even when the vehicle is parked or turned off, also upping the risk of property damage.

Read on to see if your vehicle is affected.

The investigation  

In January, the U.S government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) opened the investigation over potential “inadequate remedies” that both manufacturers implemented for five fire-related recalls that took place as far back as 2017.

In addition to evaluating whether the remedies resolved the risk of fire, the regulator is also looking into whether vehicles that were not part of these recalls will need to be recalled again.

Some of the vehicles involved include:

  • 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  • 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2017 Hyundai Tucson
  • 2013 – 2014 Santa Fe Sport
  • 2011 – 2014 Hyundai Sonata
  • 2011 – 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  • 2016 – 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  • 2015 – 2016 Hyundai Veloster
  • 2012 – 2015 Kia Forte

ABS module fires

In  February,  nearly half a million Hyundai and Kia SUVs had to be recalled due to defective ABS modules, which would overheat and burst into flames.

These recalls include the following vehicles: 

  • 2016 – 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe 
  • 2017 – 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
  • 2014 – 2015 Hyundai Tucson 
  • 2016 – 2018 Kia K900
  • 2014 – 2016 Kia Sportage
  • 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL

Fuel-leaking sedans 

Back in 2020, Hyundai and Kia recalled Sonata and Optima sedans over a fuel leak that could cause a fire. However, it appeared the remedy implemented on this occasion was not sufficient, forcing the manufacturers to recall these vehicles once more in February.

Over 73,000 2013 – 2014 Kia Optima sedans and 215,171 2013 – 2014 Hyundai Sonata sedans were affected.

Hybrids with overheating wiring 

In July 2022, Hyundai had to recall some of its Ioniq hybrids over a risk of a vehicle fire caused by overheating relays underneath the passenger seat. In total, more than 10,000 cars were affected by this Hyundai fire recall.  

The following vehicles were affected:

  • 2017 – 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
  • 2017 – 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid

Tow harness fire

In August, Hyundai and Kia had an issue with their SUVs potentially bursting into flames because of overheating tow hitch wiring. This caused more than 250,000 cars to be recalled. 

But the number of affected vehicles proved to be higher, resulting in an additional recall earlier in October.  The following vehicles were affected in the second round:

  • 2016 – 2022 Kia Sorento
  • 2021 – 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
  • 2022 – 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
  • 2017 – 2022 Kia Sportage

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

Up to date, Hyundai and Kia fire recalls have affected roughly 4.4 million cars during 2022. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if yours is affected by any of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can do the same to carry out a Kia recall check. 

Bojan PopicCan your Kia or Hyundai vehicle catch on fire?
Kia recalls K900 and Sportage cars over fire risk

Kia recalls K900 and Sportage cars over fire risk

February 13, 2022 Bojan Popic

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.

Bojan PopicKia recalls K900 and Sportage cars over fire risk
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