In a recent announcement, Hyundai Motor and Kia revealed that they are recalling almost 92,000 vehicles in the US due to a fire risk. The recall is a result of an issue with an electrical component in the transmission oil pump, which has the potential to overheat and cause a fire. As a precautionary measure, the companies have advised owners of the affected vehicles to park them outside and away from buildings until they are inspected.
This is not the first time that Hyundai and Kia vehicles have faced fire-related issues. In recent years, both car manufacturers have been subject to several recalls due to similar concerns. In the latest recall, Kia reported six incidents of “thermal incidents,” although no crashes or injuries have been reported. Similarly, Hyundai has received four reports of the issue but has not recorded any crashes, injuries, or deaths associated with it.
Aside from the fire risk, heat damage can also trigger a short circuit in other vehicle controllers, according to Hyundai. As a result, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
The root cause of the problem lies in the electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly. The controller may contain damaged electrical components, which can lead to the pump overheating. To address this, vehicle owners will be contacted in late September, and dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller if necessary. It is worth mentioning that the suspect component was taken out of production in March.
This is not the first time that Hyundai and Kia have faced recalls due to fire-related issues. In March, the NHTSA revealed that the car manufacturers had issued recalls for over 570,000 vehicles due to a potential electrical problem that could ignite fires when towing a trailer. Furthermore, in July, Hyundai announced a recall of more than 13,500 vehicles in Australia due to a potential engine fault that could lead to fires.
Although Hyundai and Kia operate as separate businesses, they are part of the Hyundai Motor Group and share many components. It is concerning to note that both carmakers have also experienced a significant increase in vehicle thefts. Earlier this year, they offered car owners steering wheel locks and a software upgrade in response to TikTok videos that demonstrated how easily their cars could be stolen.
In conclusion, the recall of nearly 92,000 Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the US due to a fire risk highlights the importance of addressing potential safety concerns promptly. Vehicle owners should follow the advice of the car manufacturers and the NHTSA by parking their vehicles outside and away from buildings until the necessary repairs are completed. It is crucial for Hyundai and Kia to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of their customers and regain their trust by resolving these recurring issues effectively.
