Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America are facing growing pressure to recall over 2.9 million vehicles, after hundreds of consumers complained that their cars and SUVs had burst into flames for no apparent reason.
220 Reports of Unexplained Kia and Hyundai Fires Since 2010
Since 2010, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received more than 220 reports of non-collision fires involving several Kia and Hyundai models, including:
- 2011-2014 Kia Sorento
- 2011-2014 Kia Optima
- 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata
- 2011-2014 Hyundai Santa Fe
- 2010-2015 Kia Soul
An additional 200 reports involved melted wires and smoke.
A Kia Soul fire has been implicated in the death of an Ohio man, while in other instances, occupants barely escaped a burning vehicle with their lives.
85% Spike in Hyundai, Kia Fire Reports Since June 2018
The Center for Auto Safety first requested that the NHTSA investigate unexplained Hyundai and Kia fires in June.
The group has since learned of 103 additional incidents, representing an increase of 85%.
‘Since our call for an investigation into these Kia and Hyundai non-collision fires, we have seen reports of almost one fire every single day across these five models,” Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said in a statement released on October 12th. “The number and severity of these complaints, when people are simply driving their cars on the highway, is frightening. It is long past time for Kia and Hyundai to act. Car fires put everyone on the road in significant danger.”
The Center is now demanding that Kia and Hyundai recall the affected vehicles, determine why they are catching fire, and implement a fix.
Some Kia and Hyundai Vehicles Caught Fire Following Recall-Related Engine Repairs
The NHTSA is investigating the mystery fires in conjunction with a previously-announced probe of Kia and Hyundai engine failures.
For the time being, Kia and Hyundai are addressing the non-collision vehicle fires on a case-by-case base.
In at least a dozen instances, vehicles were repaired as part of earlier recalls for engine debris, only to catch fire at a later date.
About 80% of the engines involved in these unexplained fires were manufactured at a Hyundai plant in Alabama.
Around 40% of the vehicles can be traced to a single Kia factory in Georgia.
Were You or a Loved One Injured in Connection with an Unexplained Kia or Hyundai Fire? Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to Contact Our Undefeated Automobile Recall Lawyers for a Free Consultation.
Our Undefeated Automobile Recall Lawyers continue to investigate the unexplained Kia and Hyundai fires and will post additional updates as more information becomes available.
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