Some Kia, Hyundai SUVs should be parked outdoors over fire risk -U.S. regulator

The Kia Motors 2020 Telluride automobile is displayed through the award ceremony successful the “North American Utility Car of the Yr” in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Rebecca Prepare dinner/File Photograph

WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (Reuters) – House owners of some Hyundai (005380.KS) and Kia (000270.KS) SUVs that had been not too long ago recalled over fireplace dangers ought to park them outside and away from properties till they’re repaired, the U.S. Division of Transportation stated on Tuesday.

The South Korean automakers final week recalled 1000’s of Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride automobiles made out of 2020 to 2022, citing a threat of fireplace whereas parked or driving as a result of a trailer hitch situation, the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration’s web site confirmed.

A restore for the difficulty has not been recognized, and no associated fires, crashes or accidents have been confirmed, the division stated in a shopper alert.

Nonetheless, Kia stated in an announcement on Tuesday that six fires had been reported in mannequin 12 months 2020 Telluride automobiles, 5 of which concerned “localized melting solely.” The 2021 or 2022 fashions had no fires and had been included within the recall as a precautionary measure, it added.

Kia stated it could reimburse house owners for restore prices already incurred.

The Transportation Division didn’t reply to a request for touch upon the obvious discrepancy with Kia relating to fires.

“An adjunct tow hitch bought by means of dealerships could permit moisture into the harness module, inflicting a brief circuit,” the buyer alert stated. “In some instances, {an electrical} brief may cause a automobile fireplace whereas driving or whereas parked and turned off.”

A Hyundai spokesman later stated there have been three confirmed Palisade fireplace incidents in Canada, however none in the US. The automaker is conscious of eight associated “melting” incidents in the US and eight in Canada, the spokesman added, with no crashes or accidents.

As soon as a restore is accessible, affected automobile house owners will likely be notified to convey their SUVs to a Hyundai or Kia seller, the alert stated.

The remembers concerned 245,030 Hyundai Palisade and 36,417 Kia Telluride automobiles, the buyer alert added.

Reporting by Katharine Jackson and Rami Ayyub in Washington
Enhancing by Richard Chang and Matthew Lewis

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