Hyundai and Kia are telling some SUV and minivan owners to park their vehicles outside due to the risk of fire.
Korean automakers are recalling more than 571,000 cars combined because the trailer hitch may catch fire due to water intrusion that can cause a short circuit. according to reports presented toward US National Highway Safety Administration. This can happen while the vehicle is parked or moving.
Since the fire can start even when the ignition is turned off, vehicles should not be parked near any structures until they are repaired.
Subject to the recall are the 2019-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, 2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid, 2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2022-2023 Kia Carnival Minivan. All vehicles can have faulty trailer hitch harnesses that were installed at the manufacturing stage or by dealerships.
Hyundai cars make up the majority of recalled cars. Only 3,555 Kia vans are affected.
Neither company has reported injuries, but Hyundai reported one fire and five incidents of heat damage. Kia has not reported any fires.
Affected owners will be notified in May. Dealers will remove problem parts and install waterproof parts later.
The recall comes a week after Ford recalled more than 1 million vehicles over a brake fluid leak problem.
Earlier this month, Kia recalled nearly 190,000 of its newer K5 sedans due to faulty airbags that can deploy incorrectly and increase the chance of injury in a crash.
Hyundai also recalled more than 26,000 of its veloster hatchbacks because the parking sensor can short circuit and start a fire, although no injuries have been reported.
with cable news services
