Kia Recall 2024: 100,000+ Kia Cars Recalled Over Dangerous Defect

If you drive a Kia, you may be one of the 100,000 Australians impacted by the latest 2024 Kia recall.

Kia Australia has recalled a total of 104,101 vehicles across numerous model lines due to an electrical issue that could ignite a fire, even if the vehicle is switched off.

Models Impacted by Kia Recall 2024

The most popular Kia models involved in the Kia recall include Kia Cerato, Kia Sorento and Kia Rio with model dates ranging from 2009 to 2018.

The recalls affect the following Kia vehicles:

2009 Sportage (KM series) – 2620 examples
2009-13 Sportage (SL series) – 12,685 examples
2009-12 Carens (UN series) – 1163 examples
2009-13 Cerato (TD series) – 18,832 examples
2010-13 Soul (AM series) – 1070 examples
2010-14 Sorento (XM series) – 12,990 examples
2010-15 Optima (TF series) – 7086 examples
2011-16 Rio (UB series) – 40,325 examples
2012-18 Rondo (RP series) – 1472 examples
2013-14 Sportage (SLe series) – 5858 examples

What’s the issue?

The problem is an electrical one. Basically, there is a risk of an electrical short circuit, even when the car is switched off. This can cause an engine compartment fire with the biggest risks coming if the car is parked in enclosed spaces, such as a garage, or near any flammable structures.

Here is what the recall said:

“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,” the recall notices state.

“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.”

Kia owners are being urged not to park their cars in their garages and to get their vehicle checked to see if it is part of the recall.

What if my vehicle is affected by the Kia recall?

If your vehicle is part of the recall, Kia will organise to have a new fuse fitted into your car. You should also be receiving a letter from Kia in the mail in the upcoming weeks. The new fuse fitting should take about 30 minutes to do.

In the meantime, should Kia owners continue to drive their vehicles?

According to Kia, “there have been no instances of the fault occurring in Kia vehicles in Australia that we are aware of, and very few instances in foreign markets. You can continue to drive your vehicle as normal, unless you have warning lights already on display in which case you should have the vehicle inspected immediately.”

Kia does, however, state that cars “should not be parked near any flammable structures or in an enclosed area, i.e. not in a garage.”

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