Kia Recalls Nearly 400,000 Vehicles Over Fire Risk

Automaker Kia has announced the recall of nearly 400,000 vehicles due to the risk of fire.

NYTimes.com reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) announced the recall of approximately 380,000 vehicles including Sportage SUVs and Cadenza model years 2017 to 2021. The vehicles were manufactured with so-called “smart cruise control.” According to the recall, “The electrical circuit in the hydraulic electronic control unit may short-circuit,” which “could cause a fire in the engine compartment.”

KMA voluntarily recalling certain MY ‘17-‘19 Cadenzas, MY ‘17-‘21 Sportages due to a potential engine compartment fire issue. Owner notifications will be sent starting 4/30/2021. Owners with ?s can contact us @ 1-800-433-4KIA ^TS

— Kia Motors America (@Kia)
March 12, 2021

Indicators that a vehicle is experiencing unsafe driving conditions include a burning or melting odor or smoke coming from the engine compartment.

Owners of vehicles affected by the defect can take their vehicles to a Kia dealer to have the automobiles repaired. The NYTimes.com reports that the fix includes replacing fuses in the electrical junction box and updating software for the hydraulic electronic control unit.

The NHTSA recommends that “[u]ntil these recalled vehicles have been repaired…the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other structures.”

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