Hyundai Motor Group, including the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands, would recall around 3.3m vehicles in the US due to the risk of fire, according to the country’s highway safety regulator.
The recall would affect 1.64m Hyundai and Genesis 2010-2015 models and 1.73m 2011-2017 Kia models. The problem relates to antilock brake systems (ABS) which can “leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short", according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Affected Hyundai vehicles are: 2012-2015 Accent, 2012-2015 Azera, 2011-2015 Elantra, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2011-2015 Genesis Coupe, 2013-2015 Santa Fe, 2013 Santa Fe Sport, 2011-2015 Sonata HEV, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, 2012-2015 Veloster and 2010-2012 Veracruz.
The Kia models are: 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2011-2013 Forte/Forte Koup, 2015-2017 K900, 2010-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2011-2017 Rio, 2010 Rondo, 2011-2014 Sorento, 2011-2013 Soul and 2010-2013 Sportage.
The NHTSA said: “Until these recalled vehicles have been repaired, the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other structures”, adding “fires can occur whether the vehicle is parked and turned off or while driving”.
Hyundai has recorded 21 vehicle fires linked to the defect in the US and a further 22 “thermal incidents”, including visible smoke, burning and melting, while Kia has recorded seven separate incidents. No crashes, injuries or fatalities are known to have occurred as a result of the defect.
NHTSA said Hyundai planned to notify owners to take their vehicles to their nearest dealership to replace the ABS module fuse while Kia was “still working on a remedy”.
