Recall Reveals Hyundai SUVs Pose a Potentially Deadly Fire Risk to Owners

Hyundais and Kias are among the most popular vehicles on the roads of America. However, the South Korean automaker made the wrong kind of headlines this month when it revealed thousands of Hyundai SUVs pose a potentially deadly fire risk to owners. These issues seem to be due to an electrical malfunction in the vehicle. The carmaker recommends owners park their vehicles outside to avoid fires in garages and other enclosed spaces.

Recall Stats for Hyundai SUVs

This month, the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group announced the recall of 150,000 Santa Fe SUVs. On Sept. 12, it expanded its recall to 180,000 Hyundai Tucson models from 2019 and 2021.

The mass recall follows reports of at least a dozen fires in the cars. No injuries have been reported. The company blames corrosion for causing a short circuit in defective anti-lock brake circuit boards that can result in the SUVs to catch fire even when they are turned off. The residue from the ABS module’s soldering process may build up on the component, causing electrical shorts. Fires are more likely in hot, humid conditions. Car owners should look out for smoke coming from the engine compartment, and a melting or burning smell. The ABS light illuminates on the dashboard when a short occurs.

The company has also recalled 9,000 Kia Stingers for a similar issue. It reports six fires in the 2019 version of that model. Although the fires were reported in moving cars, Kia is encouraging owners to park the cars outside even when the engine is turned off.

The Associated Press highlighted another fire issue in Hyundai Kia Automotive Group cars. On Sept. 3, U.S. safety regulators announced the company will recall more than 600,000 cars in the United States and Canada to repair a brake fluid leak that may cause engine fires.

Other Hyundai Recalls

The issues are separate from the recall of Tuscons. The recall covers over 440,000 Kia Optimas, midsize sedans model from 2013 through 2015, along with 2014 and 2015 Kia Sorento SUVs. Also covered are 203,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from 2013 to 2015.

We are concerned to learn such a large number of Hyundai SUVs pose a potentially deadly fire risk to owners. The South Korean carmaker has detailed issues with its ABS module at least three times over the last three years, reports Roadshow.

In 2018, Hyundai recalled almost 88,000 Azera and Sonata cars after discovering water could cause an electrical short. Concerns that the ABS module could cause an electrical short and a blaze, resulted in the recall of 229,000 Kia and Sedona, and Sorento vehicles earlier in 2020.

Hyundai said the ABS modules involved in the earlier recalls are from different suppliers and the potential defects are not the same. Hyundai plans to start its new recall campaign on Oct. 30. Once technicians look at the SUVs, they will replace the ABS modules, the company says.

How a Defective Products Attorney Could Help

Our Virginia-based personal injury lawyers help many people who suffer injuries caused by dangerous and defective products. Cars are the second most expensive purchase most of us make after our homes. They are often the most dangerous. Although many injuries on the road are caused by other drivers, an automaker may be held liable for injuries caused by a defect. Car fires are terrifying and can cause serious injuries and loss of life.

In recent years, those injured due to defective cars have brought lawsuits against manufacturers including Toyota, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler, a manufacturer that recalled over 1.3 million cars in 2017 over fire risk and faulty airbag deployment.

Separately, the Japanese company Takata has been at the center of the largest mass automobile recall in history over airbags that can explode without warning, maiming drivers and passengers alike.

The Takata recall applies to more than 60 million vehicles, states the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). Exploding airbags have killed at least 16 people and injured hundreds more in the United States.

Every year faulty car parts such as brakes or tires kill and hurt people in the United States. If you or a family member suffered an injury due to a problem on a car, truck, or motorcycle, you may have grounds to sue a manufacturer of a car or a part or repair facility that performed improper maintenance. Talk to our Virginia defective car attorneys as soon as possible.