Kia and Hyundai recall cars that may catch fire

Kia and Hyundai recall cars that may catch fire 

April 16, 2026 Bojan Popic ,

Irvine, CA – April 16, 2026 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF)  and its sister company Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) are recalling 238,792 cars that may burst into flames because of a fuel leak. The defect ups the chances of a crash and injury or property damage.  

The following vehicles are affected:

  • 2022 – 2026 Kia Carnival
  • 2021 – 2025 Genesis G80
  • 2023 – 2026 Genesis G90
  • 2022 – 2026 Genesis GV70
  • 2021 – 2025 Genesis GV80

Hyundai owns 33.8% of Kia.

Recall summary

The fuel in a car is transferred from the gas tank to the engine through a series of pipes and hoses. In the affected vehicles, the retaining bolts on one of the pipes inside the engine were not tightened sufficiently and may come loose over time, causing a fuel leak. 

Recall risks

Leaking gas that sprays onto hot engine components may ignite and set the vehicle on fire, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. 

In addition, the flames could spread to surrounding objects and cause property damage.  

Warning signs

A fuel leak may generate a strong gas smell or trigger a check engine light on the dashboard. 

Safety tips

You can learn what to do if the vehicle catches fire in this article.

Background of the recall

Leading up to the recall, Hyundai and Kia received 387 reports alleging fuel odor or leak. No fires, crashes or injuries have been reported.

Other Kia recalls

In March 2026, 40,000 Kia sedans and SUVs were recalled because their seat belt buckles would not latch correctly.

In December 2025, Kia and Hyundai recalled 335,000 vehicles that could have caught fire due to a fuel leak. 

The repair

The dealers will replace the fuel pipes if they are leaking. Otherwise, they will tighten the pipe’s retaining bolts. This repair will be free of charge. 

Notifications to the owners will be mailed by June 2, 2026. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia and Hyundai fuel leak recall is affecting more than 240,000 cars. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can use the same tool to do a Hyundai recall check.

Bojan PopicKia and Hyundai recall cars that may catch fire 
Kia recalls cars with faulty seat belt buckles

Kia recalls cars with faulty seat belt buckles

March 24, 2026 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – March 24, 2025 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 39,536 sedans and SUVs whose seat belt buckles cannot be latched correctly. The defect ups the risk of an injury in a crash.

The following cars are affected:

  • 2027 Kia Telluride
  • 2026 Kia K4

Recall summary

The “rear center seatbelt anchor buckle” of the K4 cars and the “third-row center seatbelt anchor buckle” of the Telluride vehicles may not latch correctly due a supplier error.

Recall risks

Seat belts that do not buckle may fail to provide adequate protection to the passenger during a crash.

Other Kia recalls

In December 2025, Kia and its sister company Hyundai recalled 335,000 vehicles that could have caught fire because of a fuel tank leak. 

The companies were previously subject to a US government investigation after they recalled millions of cars over the years due to the risk of fire. The investigation was closed in February 2024.

The repair

Dealers will replace the buckle assembly free of charge. 

Notifications to the owners should be mailed by May 5, 2026.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia seat belt buckle recall affects almost 40,000 cars. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicKia recalls cars with faulty seat belt buckles
Hyundai and Kia recall cars that may catch fire

Hyundai and Kia recall cars that may catch fire

December 1, 2025 Bojan Popic ,

Fountain Valley, CA – December 1, 2025 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) and Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) are recalling 85,043 2020-2023 Hyundai Sonata and 250,547 2021-2024 K-5 vehicles whose fuel tanks may develop a leak. This defect ups the chances of a vehicle fire and injury. 

Hyundai owns a significant stake in Kia and they share some parts, engine components and engineering platforms.

Recall summary

A fuel tank has a purge check valve that regulates the pressure inside it. In the affected vehicles, the valve may get stuck and cause a pressure increase that could result in the tank touching the “hot exhaust pipe components.” Over time, this can lead to “localized melting” of the tank and a fuel leak.

Recall risks

Leaking fuel may cause a vehicle fire, significantly augmenting the risk of injury.  

Safety tips 

You can learn what to do if the vehicle catches fire in this article.

Warning signs 

The driver may hear a “pop” sound from the back of the vehicle or notice a “fuel odor.” In addition, the car may be difficult to start, run rough or have a check engine light come on the dashboard.  

Background of the recall  

Hyundai and Kia tried to tackle the problem by issuing a service bulletin to their dealers in January 2025. The document instructed dealers to replace the check valve when its failure triggered a check engine warning light.

Other Hyundai recalls

In October 2025, more than 30,000 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EVs were recalled because their charging port door panels could have detached while driving. 

In March 2025, Hyundai recalled approximately 32,000 Genesis vehicles due to inoperable instrument clusters. 

The repair

The dealers will replace the fuel tank and the purge check valve and will update the corresponding software. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Notifications to the owners will be mailed by January 16, 2026. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Hyundai fuel leak recall affects more than 85,000 vehicles and 250,000 Kia vehicles. To do a Hyundai recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can use the same tool to check for Kia fire recalls.

Bojan PopicHyundai and Kia recall cars that may catch fire
Kia recalls Sorento SUVs over fire risk

Kia recalls Sorento SUVs over fire risk

October 16, 2025 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – October 16, 2025 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 39,536 2021-2023 Kia Sorento SUVs that may catch fire. This defect increases the chances of a crash and injury.

Recall summary

The blower motor is an electronic component that powers the vehicle’s HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. Due to a “supplier quality issue,” the blower’s harness in the affected cars may overheat when the A/C is in operation, causing the vehicle to catch fire. 

Recall risks

A vehicle fire may seriously injure occupants. The flames could also spread to surrounding objects and cause property damage.

Warning signs 

The occupants may notice smoke emanating from the vent, perceive a “burning smell” or realize that the A/C or heat are no longer working.

Safety tips

For additional tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please read this article. 

Other Kia recalls

This defect is the latest in the ongoing series of fire-related recalls involving Kia and its sister company, Hyundai. The most recent such recall happened in March 2025 and affected over 137,000 Kia Seltos and Soul cars. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the blower motor resistor and the wiring connector free of charge. 

Notifications to the owners should be mailed on December 31, 2025.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia HVAC fire recall affects almost 40,000 SUVs. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicKia recalls Sorento SUVs over fire risk
Kia recalls Telluride SUVs whose door trims may detach

Kia recalls Telluride SUVs whose door trims may detach

August 26, 2025 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – August 26, 2025 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 201,149 2023- 2025 Kia Telluride SUVs whose door trim may fall off while driving. This creates a road hazard,  upping the chances of a crash and injury.

Recall summary

The decorative plastic trim fitted to the bottom of the front and rear doors may not be fitted correctly and could fly off while driving.  

Recall risks

If the fly-away trim lands on the road, other motorists might crash while trying to avoid it. 

Warning signs

The driver may notice the door trim is loose or hear rattling noises while driving. 

Other Kia recalls

In May 2025, Kia recalled nearly 140,000 cars with defective engines that could have stalled or even caught fire.

In February 2025, more than 80,000 hybrid and electric Kia SUVs were recalled over malfunctioning airbags and seat belts.  

On a separate note, Kia is currently being investigated by the U.S. government’s auto safety regulator over allegedly faulty windshield wipers. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the door trims on all four doors free of charge.  

The owners should receive their notifications on September 26, 2025.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia door trim recall affects more than 201,000 SUVs. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Bojan PopicKia recalls Telluride SUVs whose door trims may detach
US government investigates Kia over faulty windshield wipers

US government investigates Kia over faulty windshield wipers

June 6, 2025 Aleksandra Snesareva

Washington, D.C. – June 6, 2025 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is investigating Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) over allegations that windshield wipers on their 2024-2025 Kia EV9 electric SUVs may stop working in adverse weather conditions.

The investigation could lead to a recall of about 26,862 vehicles.

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on April 29, 2025 following five complaints of wipers failing when a “relatively small amount of snow and/or ice” would accumulate on the windshield.

The investigation aims to uncover how widespread this problem may be and the impact it may have on road safety. 

Risks

Inoperable wipers reduce the driver’s visibility, especially when driving in rain or snow, which ups the chances of a crash and injury. 

Had to use “fingernails” to get snow out

According to driver reports, wipers would stop working at the drop of a hat due to a “large gap” between the windshield and the hood. One of the complainants had to use his or her fingernails and a “garden spade” to dig the snow out before getting on the road, only to have to stop a couple more times to do “the same thing again.”

While either situation could have turned “extremely dangerous,” luckily no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of this defect. 

Other Kia recalls

In March 2025, Kia recalled Seltos and Soul models over the risk of fire.

In February 2025, hybrid and electric Kia crossovers were recalled because their airbags and seat belts would stop working.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This investigation could lead to a Kia windshield wiper recall, potentially affecting approximately 27,000 electric SUVs. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. 

Aleksandra SnesarevaUS government investigates Kia over faulty windshield wipers
Kia recalls Seltos and Soul cars that may stall, catch fire

Kia recalls Seltos and Soul cars that may stall, catch fire

March 18, 2025 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – March 18, 2025 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 137,256 cars that may stall or catch fire. This defect ups the risk of a crash and injury.  

This recall is the latest in the long string of Kia fire-related recalls and comes on the back of hundreds of stalls and four fires.

The list of the recalled models includes: 

  • 2021 – 2023 Kia Seltos
  • 2021 – 2023 Kia Soul

Recall summary  

An engine piston ring is part of the engine whose function is to keep the engine cool and make sure there is enough oil to keep it running.

Due to a supplier error, the affected vehicles’ piston rings can damage the engine block, causing increased oil consumption. 

If the oil level drops below a certain threshold, this may result in the engine seizure. The oil can also leak out and drip onto hot exhaust components, causing the car to catch fire.

Recall risks

Both possible scenarios – loss of motive power and vehicle fire – increase the risk of a crash and injury. For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please read this article.

Warning signs  

Besides increased oil consumption, the driver may notice odd engine noises and an illuminated oil pressure warning light if the oil level drops low. 

Background of the recall

The recall comes on the heels of over 800 allegations of stalls and four fires. No crashes or injuries have been reported.

Kia fires

As reported, Kia and its sister company Hyundai have recalled millions of vehicles due to fire-related issues. They were also subject to an U.S. government investigation to assess the adequacy of these recalls. The investigation was closed last month as the government found that the recall remedies were adequate and Kia committed to re-notifying drivers whose cars still have not been repaired.

Other Kia recalls

In February 2025, Kia recalled over 80,000 Niro EVs and hybrids over malfunctioning seat belts and airbags.

In January 2025, nearly 75,000 Kia Sorrento SUVs were recalled because their headlights and tail lights would stop working.

The repair

Dealers will either replace the engine or install engine-monitoring software to warn the driver about “potential damage.”

Both measures will be implemented free of charge.

The owners should receive letters with more information by April 4, 2025. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 140,000 cars are affected by this Kia engine stall recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls Seltos and Soul cars that may stall, catch fire
Kia recalls crossovers with malfunctioning airbags, seat belts

Kia recalls crossovers with malfunctioning airbags, seat belts

February 4, 2025 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – February 4, 2025 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 80,255 electric and hybrid crossovers whose airbags and seat belts may not work as intended. This augments the risk of an injury in a crash.

The following models are affected: 

  • 2023 – 2025 Kia Niro EV
  • 2023 – 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid 
  • 2023 – 2025 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

Recall summary  

Seat belt pretensioners tighten around the occupant’s torso to prevent him from getting ejected from the car in the event of a crash. Both these and airbags are activated by a dedicated control module. 

In the affected crossovers, the wiring that connects all components may get damaged due to improper routing and the movement of the passenger’s seat.

As a result, the airbags and seat belt pretensioners may fail to deploy in a crash or may deploy when not needed.

Recall risks

Inoperable airbags and seat belt pretensioners reduce the level of protection in a crash, upping the risk of injury. 

Similarly, an accidental airbag deployment may hurt the car occupants, especially small children.

Warning signs  

The driver may notice an illuminated airbag warning light on the dashboard.  

Other Kia recalls

Last month, Kia recalled close to 75,000 Sorento SUVs over a issue that could cause their headlights and tail lights to stop working, as reported.

On a separate note, in October 2024 over 12,000 Kia EV9 electric SUVs were recalled due to the risk of crash while self-parking, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will reroute or replace the wiring under the passenger seat free of charge.   

The owners should receive letters with more information by March 14, 2025. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Over 80,000 crossover SUVs are affected by this Kia airbag deployment recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls crossovers with malfunctioning airbags, seat belts
Kia recalls new Sorento SUVs over reduced visibility

Kia recalls new Sorento SUVs over reduced visibility  

January 28, 2025 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – January 28, 2025 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 74,469 SUVs whose headlights and tail lights may stop working. This defect ups the risk of a crash and injury. 

The following models are affected: 

  • 2024 – 2025 Kia Sorento
  • 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
  • 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid 

Recall summary  

The headlights and tail lights in the affected SUVs may unexpectedly shut off due to a software error within a computer called the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC), which controls their operation. 

Recall risks

Inoperable headlights and tail lights limit the driver’s field of view and make the vehicle less visible, especially in low-visibility conditions. This increases the chances of a crash and injury.   

Other Kia recalls

This is not the first time Kia vehicles have suffered from inoperable headlights, with certain Telluride SUVs being recalled over a similar issue in April 2024. 

Earlier this month, Kia recalled their electric EV9 SUVs whose third-row seats were not properly secured, as reported.   

The repair

Dealers will update the BDC software free of charge.  

The owners should receive letters with more information by February 21, 2025. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia inoperable headlight recall affects almost 75,000 SUVs. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls new Sorento SUVs over reduced visibility  
Kia recalls electric SUVs over insufficiently secured seats

Kia recalls electric SUVs over insufficiently secured seats

January 8, 2025 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – January 8, 2025 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 22,883 2024-2025 Kia EV9 electric SUVs whose seats may fail to restrain occupants during a crash.

Recall summary  

Due to a manufacturing oversight, the bolts holding the second and third-row seats in place are missing.

Recall risks

Insufficiently secured seats may not provide adequate occupant protection in a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.    

Warning signs

A loose seat might rattle. 

Other Kia recalls

In October 2024, over 12,000 EV9 SUVs were recalled because they could crash while self-parking, as reported.

On a separate note,  more than 460,00 Kia Telluride SUVs were recalled in June 2024 over electrical issues that may have led to a vehicle fire, as reported.   

The repair

Dealers will install the missing bolts free of charge.  

The owners should receive letters with more information on January 24, 2025. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 23,000 electric SUVs are affected by this Kia missing bolt recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls electric SUVs over insufficiently secured seats

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