Hyundai, Kia expands ABS Recall to 3.3 Million

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have expanded their ABS system recall to 3.3 million vehicles. The recall is due to a fault in the ABS system that could result in vehicle fires while parked or while driving.

Faulty ABS module Hyundia, Kia develops internal leak and combusts

The recalled vehicle’s ABS module can leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short. An electrical short could result in significant over current in the ABS module, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving or parked.

This is issue has plagued the company globally and resulted in at least four major recall incidents within the United States. The federal agency estimates the number of vehicles within the 3.3 million recalled with the defect at approximately 1%

Hyundai, Kia will replace the ABS module to prevent the leak and fire

Affected Hyundai vehicles

2012-2015 Accent,
2012-2015 Azera,
2011-2015 Elantra,
2013-2015 Elantra Coupe,
2014-2015 Equus,
2011-2015 Genesis Coupe,
2013-2015 Santa Fe,
2013 Santa Fe Sport,
2011-2015 Sonata HEV,
2010-2013 Tucson,
2015 Tucson Fuel Cell,
2012-2015 Veloster
2010-2012 Veracruz.

Affected Kia vehicles

2014-2016 Cadenza,
2011-2013 Forte/Forte Koup,
2015-2017 K900,
2010-2015 Optima,
2011-2013 Optima Hybrid,
2011-2017 Rio,
2010 Rondo,
2011-2014 Sorento,
201-2013 Soul
2010-2013 Sportage.

Park outside until the recall is performed

In a statement about the recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, owners of these vehicles are being told, “Until these recalled vehicles have been repaired, the manufacturers say the safest place to park them is outside and away from homes and other structures. Fires can occur whether the vehicle is parked and turned off or while driving.”

To date, neither company knowof any crashes, injuries or fatalities associated with this defect. There have been 25 related vehicle fires in the United States as well as 28 thermal incidents, including visible smoke, burning and melting.

Hyundai plans to notify owners to bring their vehicles to the nearest dealership to replace the ABS module fuse. Kia is still working on a remedy.

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Rick Muscoplat