If you are like me and happen to own a Hyundai or Kia, then you must follow up on this to remain safe
Kia Motors and parent automaker Hyundai are recalling more than a half million vehicles in the U.S. because of issues that could cause an engine fire.
The largest recall affects almost 380,000 Kia Soul vehicles, all with 1.6-liter engines, built between 2012 and 2016. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), high exhaust-gas temperatures have the potential to damage the vehicle’s catalytic converter, which could lead to piston-related failure. The issue could result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash, the NHTSA said, but could also cause a fire if a broken connecting rod punctured the engine block and caused engine oil to leak.
Kia plans to contact owners of affected Soul cars, and dealers will make the necessary repairs free of charge. Kia’s number for this recall is SC176.
In addition, around 32,000 Kia Sportage SUVs made between 2011 and 2012, as well as 123,000 Hyundai Tucson vehicles made between 2011 and 2013, are being recalled over a potential engine oil pan leak, which, if not addressed, may result in engine damage or even fire. The NHTSA said the remedy for the issue is still “under development,” but adds that Kia and Hyundai will notify owners from April 10, 2019. Kia’s number for this recall is SC174. Concerned Tucson owners can enter their vehicle’s ID number on Hyundai’s recall page to find out more.
Another recall affects around 95,000 Kia Sedona minivans manufactured between 2015 and 2018. Over time, the wiring beneath the front passenger seat’s Occupant Detection System (ODS) could break. A broken ODS wiring harness will fail to prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to a child (in a child seat) in the front passenger seat, the NHTSA said. Again, owners will be notified by Kia, and a fix will be issued by a dealer free of charge. Kia’s number for this recall is SC175.
