Hyundai warns owners to park outside homes over fire risk, recalls 180,000 SUVs

  • Hyundai says it knows of a dozen engine fires caused by the problem but no injuries.
Representational file photo: The logo of Hyundai Motors is seen on a steering wheel of the all-new Sonata.
Representational file photo: The logo of Hyundai Motors is seen on a steering wheel of the all-new Sonata.
View Personalised Offers on
Notify me

For the second time this month, Hyundai is telling some SUV owners to park outdoors because an electrical short in a computer could cause vehicles to catch fire.

The Korean automaker is recalling about 180,000 Tucson SUVs in the U.S. from 2019 through 2021 to fix the problem. The company says corrosion can cause a short circuit in defective anti-lock brake circuit boards that can cause a fire even if engines are off.

Also check these Vehicles

Find more Cars
Hyundai Tucson 2025 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon1999 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 30 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Hyundai I20 (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1197 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 7.04 - 11.21 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Hyundai Creta (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1497 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 11 - 20.30 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Hyundai Exter (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1197 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 6.13 - 10.43 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Hyundai Nexo (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon1499.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 65 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Hyundai Alcazar (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1493 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 14.99 - 21.55 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers

Hyundai says it knows of a dozen engine fires caused by the problem but no injuries.

In addition, Hyundai says if the anti-lock brake warning light comes on, the vehicles should not be driven and owners should disconnect the positive cable on the battery.

Also Read : Hyundai, SK Innovation tie up to create EV battery industry ecosystem

They should contact a dealer who will provide a loaner vehicle if needed. Hyundai will notify owners of the recall by mail starting around Oct. 30. In the meantime, owners can key in their 17-digit vehicle identification number at the company's US website to see if their Tucson is affected.

On Sept. 3, U.S. safety regulators announced that Hyundai and affiliated automaker Kia would recall over 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to fix a brake fluid leak that could cause engine fires.

Those recalls are not related to the Tuscon recall. They cover more than 440,000 Kia Optima midsize sedans from 2013 through 2015 and Kia Sorento SUVs from 2014 and 2015. Also covered are 203,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from 2013 to 2015.

Also Read : Hyundai to launch Grand i10 Nios Corporate Edition soon: Sources

A day later, Hyundai said it recommends the vehicles be parked outdoors until the problem is repaired. Kia did not answer questions about its recall.

The recalls are the latest in a series of engine fire problems that have plagued the two automakers and have touched off investigations by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In February, Hyundai recalled nearly 430,000 small cars for a similar problem. The company said water can get into the antilock brake computer, cause an electrical short and possibly an engine fire. That recall covered certain 2006 through 2011 Elantra and 2007 through 2011 Elantra Touring vehicles.

The company said the electrical short could cause a fire even when the cars are turned off.

The fourth generation Kia Sorento pictured.
The fourth generation Kia Sorento pictured.

In April of 2019, NHTSA opened two new investigations into fires involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles after getting complaints of more than 3,100 fires and 103 injuries.

The agency granted a petition seeking the investigations by the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, a consumer advocacy group.

The investigations, one for Hyundai and the other for Kia, cover non-crash fires in almost 3 million vehicles from the affiliated automakers.

NHTSA had previously said it would incorporate the noncrash fires into a 2017 investigation that examined recalls of Hyundai and Kia vehicles for engine failures.

It opened the new probes “based on the agency's analysis of information received from multiple manufacturers, consumer complaints and other sources." Engine failure and fire problems with Hyundais and Kias have affected more than 6 million vehicles since 2015, according to NHTSA documents.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date: 12 Sep 2020, 19:38 PM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.