Kia & Hyundai in Hot Water
Manufacturing Defect Raises Questions About the Carmakers
By Connor Markey, Co-Editor-in-Chief
In September, auto manufacturers Kia and Hyundai issued a recall for over 3.3 million vehicles after it was discovered that a manufacturing defect could cause certain vehicles to spontaneously combust.
Hyundai’s recall lists the cause as a flaw in the anti-lock braking system (ABS), which could cause brake fluid to leak and create an electrical short. Kia’s recall did not mention the leaking of brake fluid, instead attributing the defect to the vehicle’s Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, a
component of the ABS.
Kia and Hyundai have advised owners of affected models to park their vehicles outside in order to minimize the risk of a potential fire until the part can be replaced. Both recalls state that dealers will replace the affected part “free of charge.”
“The only issue I’ve had before was we got the brakes replaced one time, so it says the anti-lock brakes don’t work, but they seem to work fine,” said Michael McGrady, a resident assistant at Lynn University and a Kia owner. “I called the dealership when I found out about this recall like a week and a half ago, and the earliest appointment they had for me was the 23rd of this month, so I’m still waiting to go in and get it serviced.”
As of this writing, there have yet to be any fatalities associated with this defect, although neither company has operated without incident. Hyundai has reported 21 engine compartment fires and 22 thermal incidents associated with the defect, while Kia has reported one engine compartment fire and nine other related incidents.
