Hyundai and Kia Recall 3.4 Million Cars Over Fire Risks

Some 3.4 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles are at risk of going up in flames, the automakers told federal regulators as part of a massive new recall.

Brake fluid leaks could cause fires in the recalled vehicles, parent company Hyundai said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Owners of recalled cars are advised to park outside until they get their vehicles fixed, a precaution to prevent possible fires from quickly spreading.

“The vehicle’s anti-lock brake system module could leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short,” NHTSA said in a news release. “An electrical short could result in significant overcurrent in the ABS module, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving or parked.”

The recall covers a range of Hyundai models from 2010 through 2015, including the Accent, Elantra and Tucson. Kis models from 2010 through 2019, including the Cadenza, Optima and Sorento, are also covered.

Hyundai and Kia are aware of more than 20 engine compartment fires, they told NHTSA. The companies said they were not aware of any crashes or injuries caused by the defect. They also said owners could continue to drive the vehicles while awaiting a fix.

Another 600,000 Hyundai and Kia vehicles are being recalled for the same problem in Canada, according to a New York Times report.

The companies plan to notify owners of recalled vehicles via mail by Nov. 23. They will ask owners to bring vehicles to authorized local dealers for inspection and repair.

Lemon Law Rights for California Hyundai and Kia Owners

The new recall is the latest in a string of safety issues for the Korean car manufacturers. That includes previous fire risks.

Over the summer, the companies called back some 92,000 vehicles, including Hyundai Palisade sport utility vehicles, and Tucson, Sonata, Elantra and Kona models. They said damaged printed circuit boards could cause fires in the cars.

Just five months earlier, Hyundai and Kia recalled some 571,000 vehicles over separate fire risks.

Hyundai in September called back roughly 40,000 Elantra hybrid sedans over a software error that it said could cause the cars to accelerate after the brake pedal is released.

Fortunately, car owners and lessors in California have some important rights and protections when it comes to defective vehicles. You do not need to wait around for a recall to get a defective car fixed.

The California lemon law requires automakers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while the cars are under warranty. It also forces those companies to buy back cars that they cannot or simply refuse to properly fix. That includes covering the purchase price, financing fees and other related expenses.

Our Lemon Lawyers Can Help You

At Bickel Sannipoli, our California lemon law attorneys have assisted hundreds of clients across the state stuck with defective or malfunctioning vehicles. 

We are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.