Kia Sportage SUVs Recalled Again for Fire Risk; Owners Told to Park Vehicles Outside
This is the latest in a series of fires involving Kia and Hyundai vehicles
Kia is recalling over 71,000 Sportage SUVs from the 2008 and 2009 model years because they may catch fire while driving or parked. The automaker says owners should park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Currently, there is no fix for the problem; owners will be notified when a repair is available.
The problem has to do with the hydraulic engine control unit (HECU), which is part of the antilock brake system (ABS). The HECU has been involved in many other fire-related recalls involving Kia vehicles.
Kia previously recalled these vehicles in 2016 to replace the HECU and a related connector. Since then, the automaker tells the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is aware of eight vehicle fires and 15 incidents of what Kia calls “localized melting” related to this recall. There have been no injuries or crashes.
What to Do If Your Car Catches Fire
If any vehicle you are driving catches fire, here’s what to do, according to experts CR has consulted with.
- First, pull over and shut off the engine. This stops the flow of fuel.
- Get yourself and your passengers out of the car as quickly as possible. Make sure to stay a significant distance away—100 to 150 feet or more—and never go back into the vehicle to retrieve personal property.
- Call 911 or have another motorist make the call to get emergency services on their way as soon as possible.
- Attempt to put out the fire only if you have clear access to the source, have a suitable fire extinguisher, know how to use it correctly, and can maintain a safe distance from the car. Use only an extinguisher approved for Class B or Class C fires; a label on the extinguisher will identify which kind of fire it’s suitable for.
- Never open the hood or trunk if you suspect there’s a fire there; the additional air flowing in could cause the fire to enlarge.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Never stand on an active roadway. If you’re parked by the side of the road, stay far behind the vehicle to avoid being hit if another car strikes your vehicle.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: Kia Sportage SUVs manufactured between Aug. 9, 2007, and May 13, 2009, that were previously recalled in 2016 under NHTSA campaign 16V815.
The problem: An as-yet-undetermined issue with the HECU may cause an engine compartment fire when the vehicle is parked or driving.
The fix: Kia has not yet developed a fix for this problem. In the meantime, owners should park outside and away from structures.
How to contact the manufacturer: Kia will begin contacting owners by mail on Dec. 22, 2022. The automaker will contact owners again when a fix is available. Owners may also contact Kia at 800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V800. Kia’s own number for this recall is SC253.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
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