Hyundai, Kia recall 570,000 vehicles for fire risk, tell owners to park outside
The OEM towing harness is reportedly susceptible to water intrusion
MARCH 2023 — (AP) – Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of more than 571,000 SUVs and minivans in the U.S. to park them outdoors because the tow hitch harnesses can catch fire while they are parked or being driven.
The affiliated Korean automakers are recalling the vehicles and warning people to park them away from structures until repairs are made.
Affected Hyundai vehicles include the 2019 to 2023 Santa Fe, the 2021 to 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, the 2022 and 2023 Santa Fe Plug-in hybrid and the 2022 and 2023 Santa Cruz. The only Kia affected is the Carnival minivan from 2022 and 2023. All have Hyundai or Kia tow hitch harnesses that came as original equipment or were installed by dealers.
The Korean automakers say in documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators that water can get into a circuit board on the hitches and cause a short circuit even if the ignitions are off.
Hyundai has reports of one fire and five heat damage incidents with no injuries. Kia has no reports of fires or injuries.
Dealers at first will remove the fuse and tow hitch computer module until a fix is available. Later they will install a new fuse and wire extension with an improved connector that’s waterproof. Owners will be notified starting May 16.
Last year Hyundai recalled more than 245,000 2020 through 2022 Palisade SUVs for a similar problem.
Hyundai & Kia Recalled Vehicles – Fire Risk
- Hyundai Santa Fe (2019-2023)
- Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (2021-2023)
- Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in hybrid (2022-2023)
- Hyundai Santa Cruz (2022-2023)
- Kia Carnival Minivan (2022-2023)
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V181000
Component(s): TRAILER HITCHES: Electrical Short: FIRE RISK
Potential Number of Units Affected: 567,912
Report Receipt Date: March 17, 2023
MARCH 2023 — Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. As an interim repair, dealers will inspect the tow hitch module and remove the fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Once the final repair is available, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 2023. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 244. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-633.
Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V179000
Component(s): TRAILER HITCHES: Electrical Short: FIRE RISK
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3,555
Report Receipt Date: March 17, 2023
MARCH 2023 — Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire,
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If equipped, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Kia’s number for this recall is SC265.
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