Kia Tells 72,000 Sportage House owners To Park Away From Properties And Automobiles Over Fireplace Threat

Kia is recalling 71,704 Kia Sportages from mannequin years 2008 and 2009 due to the chance that they may catch hearth. In response to paperwork submitted to the NHTSA, these similar automobiles have been the goal of a earlier recall. Whereas Kia estimates that just one % of the automobiles nonetheless have a defect, it’s telling all prospects to park exterior and away from constructions or different automobiles till the recall is full.

2008 and 2009 Kia Sportage SUVs that have been part of the 16V815 recall, which befell again in 2016, might want to get their automobiles again right into a vendor quickly. Improper sealing of the Hydraulic Digital Management Unit (HECU) was the difficulty again then and it’s nonetheless the issue now. On the time of the unique recall, a brief circuit resulting from water ingress was considered the one means a fireplace might begin.

This new recall exhibits that at the very least 15 automobiles included in that recall have since had “localized melting/harm incidents”. As well as, Kia recognized eight car hearth incidents. Fortunately, no crashes, accidents, or fatalities have been related to the hearth danger at this level.

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Kia moved fairly shortly to name these automobiles again in as soon as it knew there was a difficulty. It says that it first realized of a possible downside in mid-August of this yr after a buyer reported a car hearth. Throughout its investigation, it discovered that the car in query was recalled below 16V815 and had its HECU connector cowl changed.

By September 2nd, it had discovered 15 separate experiences of thermal harm within the HECU to automobiles concerned within the unique recall. Over the subsequent month it continued its investigation and even as we speak, it has but to specify what’s inflicting these post-recall incidents. For now, security is the primary focus.

That’s why the official path says “House owners are suggested to park exterior and away from constructions and different automobiles till the recall restore has been carried out. The treatment is presently below improvement.” Those that aren’t positive if their car is affected can name their native dealership or contact Kia’s customer support at 1-800-333-4542.