South Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia are recalling 3.3 million vehicles in the US due to the risk of sudden ignition, regulators said, AFP reported.
“Until these vehicles are repaired … the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other buildings,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement.
“Fires can occur whether the vehicle is parked and turned off or while driving.” The affected vehicles include 1.64 million Hyundai and Genesis models from 2010 to 2015, and 1.73 million Kia, ranging from 2010 to 2017.
The problem stems from the vehicles’ anti-lock braking systems (ABS), “which can leak brake fluid internally and cause a short circuit,” NHTSA said. “Hyundai plans to notify owners to bring their vehicles to the nearest dealer to have the ABS module fuse replaced,” the agency said. “Kia is still working on a solution.”
Neither company is aware of “any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to this defect.” Hyundai has reported 21 vehicle fires in the U.S., as well as “22 thermal incidents,” including visible smoke, burning and melting. Kia has registered one fire in the engine compartment, “three fires in the unit and six cases of component melting”, reports BGNES.
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