Kia Tells 72,000 Sportage Homeowners To Park Away From Houses And Vehicles Over Hearth Threat

Kia is recalling 71,704 Kia Sportages from mannequin years 2008 and 2009 due to the danger that they could catch fireplace. In line with paperwork submitted to the NHTSA, these identical autos have been the goal of a earlier recall. Whereas Kia estimates that just one p.c of the autos nonetheless have a defect, it’s telling all prospects to park exterior and away from buildings or different autos till the recall is full.

2008 and 2009 Kia Sportage SUVs that have been part of the 16V815 recall, which occurred again in 2016, might want to get their autos again right into a vendor quickly. Improper sealing of the Hydraulic Digital Management Unit (HECU) was the difficulty again then and it’s nonetheless the issue now. On the time of the unique recall, a brief circuit as a result of water ingress was regarded as the one approach a hearth might begin.

This new recall exhibits that at the least 15 autos included in that recall have since had “localized melting/harm incidents”. As well as, Kia recognized eight automobile fireplace incidents. Fortunately, no crashes, accidents, or fatalities have been related to the fireplace threat at this level.

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Kia moved fairly rapidly to name these autos again in as soon as it knew there was a difficulty. It says that it first realized of a possible drawback in mid-August of this yr after a buyer reported a automobile fireplace. Throughout its investigation, it discovered that the automobile in query was recalled underneath 16V815 and had its HECU connector cowl changed.

By September 2nd, it had discovered 15 separate reviews of thermal harm within the HECU to autos concerned within the unique recall. Over the following month it continued its investigation and even in the present day, it has but to specify what’s inflicting these post-recall incidents. For now, security is the principle focus.

That’s why the official route says “Homeowners are suggested to park exterior and away from buildings and different autos till the recall restore has been carried out. The treatment is at the moment underneath improvement.” Those that aren’t positive if their automobile is affected can name their native dealership or contact Kia’s customer support at 1-800-333-4542.