Hyundia, Kia issue recalls over
engine fire concerns

By: Tom Krishere
associated Press

DETROIT - For the second time this month, [09/2020] Hyundia told some SUV owners to park outdoors because an electrical short in a computer could cause vehicle to catch fire.
..... The Korean automaker is recalling about 180,000 Tucson SUVs in the U.S. from 2019 through 2021 to fix the problem. The company said corrosion can cause a short circuit in defective anti-lock break circuit boards that can cause a fire even if engines are off.
.... Hyundia said on Friday [09/11/2020] that it knows of a dozen engine fires caused by the problem but no injuries.
.... In addition, Hyundia said if the anti-lock break warning light comes on, the SUVs should not be driven and owners should disconnect the positive cable on the battery. They should contact a dealer who will provide a longer vehicle if needed.
..... Kia, which is affiliated with Hyundia, is recalling more than 9,000 Stinger sports cars with 3.3-liter turbocharged engines for a similar problems. Documents posted by U.S. safety regulators said fires can occur in the area of the anti-lock break control computer.
..... Kia said in a statement Friday [09/11/2020] it has six fire reports with no injuries. The company has no reports of fires after engines are turned off, but it's still recommending they be parked outdoors until repairs are made, "out of an abundance of caution," the statement said. The cause of the fires isn't known yet.
..... The recalls are the latest in a series of engine fire problems that have hampered the two automakers and have touched off investigations by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
..... Hyundai will notify owners of the recall by mail starting around October 30. [2020] Owners can key in their 17-digit vehicle identification number at www.hyundaiusa.com/recalls to see if their Tucons is affected.
..... The automaker said it's investigating if the same problem is happening in other countries.
..... On September 3, [2020] U.S. safety regulators announced that Hyundia and Kia would recall more than 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to fix a brake fluid leak that could cause engine fires.
..... Those recalls are not related to the Tucson recall. They cover more than 440,000 Kia Optima midsize sedans from 2013 through 2015 and Kia Sorento SUVs from 2014 and 2015. Also covered are 203,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from 2013 to 2015.
..... A day later, Hyundai said it recommended the vehicles be parked outdoors until the problem is repaired. Kia said Friday [09/11/2020] that the Sorentos should be parked outdoors.
..... In February, [2020] Hyundai recalled nearly 430,000 small cares for a similar problem. the company said water can get into the anti lock break computer, cause an electrical short and possibly an engine fire.
... That recall covered certain 2006 through 2011 Elantra and 2007 through 2011 Elantra Touring vehicles.

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