Kia and Hyundai are recalling more than half a million vehicles in the United States due to engine fire risks.
Autonews reports that the two automakers are recalling 378,000 examples of the 2012-2016 Kia Soul and 155,000 2011-2013 Tucson and 2011-2012 Sportage vehicles. Separate recall campaigns have been issued for each model.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Kia Soul with 1.6-liter engines can experience high exhaust gas temperatures which allows particles to enter the combustion chamber and create abnormal engine combustion. If this abnormal combustion continues, the piston’s connecting rods could cause the engine block to fracture and leak oil, thus increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix the issue, Kia technicians will upgrade the related ECU software and the catalytic converter will be replaced if it shows signs of damage – and the same stands for the engine.
The Tucson and Sportage are being recalled due to potential engine oil pan leakage triggered by insufficient sealing during assembly. If the car is driven for extended periods of time with the oil pan leaking, the vehicle’s engine could be damaged and the possibility of a fire risk is increased. The automakers haven’t detailed how they will fix this issue, but it will most likely involve replacing or resealing the oil pan.
Moreover, Kia and Hyundai will roll out software upgrades for 3.7 million vehicles not being recalled in an attempt to protect them from engine damage, and will also offer new extended warranties for engine issues.
