If you’re a Kia or Hyundai driver, listen up! Kia and Hyundai vehicle owners are being warned to urgently contact their car company due to a very dangerous defect.
According to Product Safety Australia, Kia has recalled TWO of their models:
Kia QL Sportage
Model Years 2016-2021
56, 203 affected vehicles
Kia CK Stinger
Model Years 2017-2019
1, 648 affected vehicles
Kia recall – What’s the problem?
According to Product Safety Australia,
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off. If moisture enters the HECU, an electrical short circuit can occur.
If an electrical short circuit occurs, this could result in an engine compartment fire when the key is switched off and the vehicle is parked. A vehicle fire could increase the risk injury or death to vehicle occupants or bystanders and/or damage to property.
In other words?
The car can burst into flames even if the vehicle is switched off. Eek!
Now what?
Around 57,000 people own an affected car across Australia. If you do have a Kia car, you can contact your car dealership for more information.
However, Kia will also be contacting all known owners of affected vehicles by direct mail.
You can also check the impacted VIN numbers through Product Safety Australia.
Affected cars will need to be inspected and possibly repaired (free of charge). However, in the meantime, Kia is requesting that car owners park the vehicle away from their homes or indoor structures, especially away from anything flammable.
Hyundai also issue an urgent recall!
Drivers of Hyundai Genesis vehicles are being urged to park their cars in an open space due to a manufacturing error, fearing vehicles could potentially catch on fire.
Models being recalled:
Hyundai Genesis (DH)
Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Module
Model Years 2015-2017
Dates for sale: 1 October 2014 – 30 June 2017
What’s the problem?
According to Product Safety Australia,
Due to a manufacturing error, an electronic control circuit board in the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) module may short circuit when the components are exposed to moisture.
Which in other words means there is a risk of fire – even when the vehicle isn’t running (as the circuit is constantly powered), which potentially could cause a serious accident and damage to property. Having said that, the short circuit does NOT affect the functioning of the brake system.
What to do:
If you think your car is one of the Hyundai Genesis vehicles being recalled, don’t park your car in a garage or shed, park it out in the open or on the street.
Owners will be contacted by Hyundai Motor Company Australia and asked to contact an authorised Hyundai dealer to arrange a suitable time to have the vehicle repaired, free of charge.
Additional car recalls
In November 2000 Toyota also released a large recall due to fuel pump failure. You can find the models and makes here.
Another vehicle recall to be aware of is the ongoing Takata airbag recall which has impacted over 4 million cars in Australia so far. There are new additions to the recalled cars list – have a read to see if your vehicle is impacted.
Never miss a product recall again
At Mum Central, we try to alert our readers when a product fails to comply with safety standards. Please have a read through our product safety recalls for other products that have recently been recalled including bikes, cots, bassinets and prams.
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