Hyundai Motor and Kia have issued a recall for more than 91,000 newer vehicles in the United States due to fire risks. Owners of the affected vehicles have been advised to park their cars outside and away from structures until necessary repairs are completed. The recall includes various models, such as Hyundai’s 2023-2024 Palisade, Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles, along with Kia’s 2023-2024 Seltos and 2023 Soul and Sportage vehicles. Approximately 52,000 Hyundai vehicles and nearly 40,000 Kia vehicles are covered under this recall.

The fire risk is associated with electronic controllers for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly, which may contain damaged electrical components leading to pump overheating. In response to this issue, both automakers will begin notifying owners in late September, and authorized dealers will conduct inspections and replace the electric oil pump controller as necessary.

While there have been no reported accidents or injuries thus far, both Kia and Hyundai have received reports of thermal events related to the suspect part. The automakers have already informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the problematic component was removed from production in March, indicating a swift response to the discovery of the issue.

To address safety concerns, Hyundai has issued instructions to dealers to offer rental vehicles to customers who do not feel comfortable operating their cars until the recall fix becomes available. Furthermore, owners who encounter a burning or melting odor are being advised to have their vehicle towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer rather than attempting to drive it.

In addition to the fire risk, there is also a possibility that heat damage could lead to a short circuit, potentially affecting other onboard vehicle controllers, as reported by Hyundai.

The investigation leading to the recall was triggered by a report received by Hyundai in December, concerning heat damage on the wire harness/connector of the electric oil pump in a 2023 Hyundai Palisade. Similarly, Kia received a report in June regarding melting in a 2023 Soul.

With the safety of their customers in mind, both automakers are taking prompt action to rectify any potential issues with the affected vehicles. The recall serves as a proactive measure to prevent any further incidents and maintain the trust of their customer base.

Tags:  Hyundai recall Kia recall Park outside recall Swift action recall U.S. vehicle recall Vehicle fire risks