The latest engine fire recall affects 294,756 Kia vehicles and 128,948 Hyundai vehicles.
Affected engines include the 2.0L inline-four, the 2.4L inline-four and the 1.6L inline-four.
Dealers will inspect the engines, make the necessary repairs and even replace them as needed.
A Hyundai and Kia engine fire recall has just been announced in the United States, and more than 420,000 cars and SUVs are affected by this safety hazard.
According to the NHTSA, the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2011 to 2013 as well as 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, along with the 2015 and 2016 Hyundai Veloster will require fixing, for a total of 128,948 units. Meanwhile, the 2012-2015 Kia Forte and Forte Koup, the 2011-2013 Kia Optima Hybrid, the 2012 and 2013 Kia Sorento, the 2014 and 2015 Kia Soul as well as the 2012 Kia Sportage are also involved in this recall, for a total of 294,756 units. In total, 423,704 vehicles will need to head back to U.S. dealerships.
The engine fire recall affects various Hyundai and Kia powertrains, including the 2.0L Nu GDI inline-four, the 2.4L Theta II MPI inline-four, in both hybrid and non-hybrid configurations, as well as the 1.6L Gamma GDI inline-four.
The risk of a fire in the engine compartment, while driving, has been found in these cars and crossovers. Hyundai and Kia will notify affected owners, and dealers will inspect for fuel and/or oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any necessary repairs. This engine fire recall could even lead to a whole replacement free of charge.
Hyundai and Kia are also working on a Knock Sensor Detection System software update, which dealer will be soon able to use and perform on customers’ vehicles for free. The recall is should begin on January 22th, 2021 for affected Hyundai vehicles, and on January 27th for Kia vehicles.
Owners of these models may contact Hyundai’s customer service hotline at 1-855-371-9460, or Kia’s customer service at 1-800-333-4542. They can also get in touch with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA’s recall campaign number is 20V-750.
This isn’t the first time an engine fire recall has been issued by the two Korean brands. In December 2018, about 220,000 vehicles were recalled in the U.S. for a high-pressure fuel pipe that may leak and cause a fire. Back in February, a low-pressure fuel hose that may crack and leak was the subject of a recall that affected nearly 350,000 vehicles, and in August, about 590,000 vehicles were targeted for a possible brake fluid leak, which in turn could cause an electrical short and trigger a fire.
Last week, the NHTSA announced a $210-million-dollar fine to Hyundai and Kia for failing to issue recalls in a timely fashion.
