Kia, Hyundai SUVs ought to park outdoor over hearth threat: Watchdog | Automotive Business
South Korean carmakers have recalled hundreds of Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride autos over trailer hitch situation.
House owners of some Hyundai and Kia SUVs that have been just lately recalled over hearth dangers ought to park them outdoor and away from properties till they’re repaired, the USA Division of Transportation has stated.
The South Korean automakers final week recalled hundreds of Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride autos produced from 2020 to 2022, citing a threat of fireside whereas parked or driving on account of a trailer hitch situation, the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration’s web site confirmed.
A restore for the problem has not been recognized, and no associated fires, crashes or accidents have been confirmed, the division stated in a client alert.
Nonetheless, Kia stated in an announcement on Tuesday that six fires had been reported in mannequin 12 months 2020 Telluride autos, 5 of which concerned “localized melting solely”. The 2021 or 2022 fashions had no fires and have been included within the recall as a precautionary measure, it added.
Kia stated it could reimburse house owners for restore prices already incurred.
The Transportation Division didn’t reply to a request for touch upon the obvious discrepancy with Kia concerning fires.
“An adjunct tow hitch offered by way of dealerships could enable moisture into the harness module, inflicting a brief circuit,” the buyer alert stated. “In some circumstances, {an electrical} quick could cause a car hearth whereas driving or whereas parked and turned off.”
A Hyundai spokesperson later stated there have been three confirmed Palisade hearth incidents in Canada, however none within the US. The automaker is conscious of eight associated “melting” incidents within the US and eight in Canada, the spokesperson added, with no crashes or accidents.
As soon as a restore is accessible, affected car house owners shall be notified to convey their SUVs to a Hyundai or Kia seller, the alert stated.
The remembers concerned 245,030 Hyundai Palisade and 36,417 Kia Telluride autos, the buyer alert added.
