Hyundai and Kia recall 280,000 SUVs due to fire concerns

More than 280,000 SUVs from Hyundai and Kia are being recalled due to fire concerns, and their owners are being advised to store the cars outdoors and away from structures.

More than 245,000 Hyundai Palisade and 36,000 Kia Telluride SUVs with model years 2020 through 2022 are included in the recall.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a press release published on Tuesday that after securing an additional tow hitch, which is available at dealerships, debris and moisture may collect in the cars’ harness modules.

While the automobiles are in motion or stopped, the debris and moisture might lead to an electrical short and perhaps even a fire.

Although there were no accidents or injuries, the Korean automakers reported 25 flames or melting events in the United States and Canada.

Owners of the recalled Hyundai SUVs may take them to a dealership, where a technician will check the wiring and perhaps remove a fuse as a temporary fix, said the NHTSA.

There isn’t a temporary fix for Kia. Both businesses claim that a definitive fix is being created.

The NHTSA said that when a fix is ready, all owners of cars that could have impacted trailer hitch wire harnesses will get postal notifications instructing them to take their cars to a Hyundai or Kia dealer.

Additionally, until fixes are completed, dealerships are not selling the impacted SUVs.

After GM stated it was recalling hundreds of thousands of cars due to a third-row seat belt issue, the recall was disclosed a few days later.