Auto giant Kia and its parent company Hyundai are warning the owners of nearly 500,000 cars and SUVs in the United States to park their respective cars outdoors and away from buildings. The instructions have been given out due to a potential defect that can cause the vehicles to catch fire even when it is not running. The company has also identified the issue that is caused due to foreign contamination where the anti-lock brake computer control module can cause a short circuit that could lead to a fire in the engine compartment.
A recall has been issued by Hyundai for the Santa Fe SUVs manufactured between 2016-2018, Santa Fe Sports SUVs manufactured between 2017-2018, Tucson SUVs manufactured between 2014-2015 and the 2019 Santa Fe XL models. On the other hand Kia is also recalling its Sportage SUVs made between 2014-2016 and its K900 sedans made between 2016-2018. Hyundai is recalling a total of 357,830 vehicles while Kia is recalling 126,747 vehicles. After the recall the dealers are expected to inspect the anti-braking control module which is a computer system that helps to control the emergency anti-lock braking system of the car.
The dealer could replace it with a new one. The recall will also include the replacement of a fuse that controls the electric supply to the anti-lock braking control unit and it will not cost anything to the owners. The new fuse that will be replaced, will help to reduce the power supply to the module. Hyundai Motors is the parent company of Kia due to which the two companies share a lot of engineering in the number of models. Not many are aware that the two companies operate as two different companies.
Kia in the documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that it is aware of the three vehicles that have caught fire and added that the owners of the cars can continue to drive the vehicle but should park away from buildings.
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