Millions Of Hyundai And Kia Vehicles With Defect Remain On The Road

In September, Hyundai and Kia recalled 3.4 million vehicles in the US due to a serious defect with an ominous warning: these vehicles posed a fire risk and should be parked outdoors away from buildings, according to Tom Krisher's report for the Associated Press (AP).

The issues affect some of the companies' top-selling models from 2010 to 2017, including Hyundai's Santa Fe and Elantra and Kia's Sportage and Forte. I Photo: Greg Hubler Hyundai

Six months later, the majority of these vehicles remain unrepaired and on the road, posing a potential danger to their owners, families, and others. Hyundai and Kia have acknowledged that most of the affected vehicles may not be repaired until June or later, approximately nine months after the recalls were announced.

The two automakers reported that the defect had caused 56 vehicle fires and other thermal incidents, though no injuries or deaths have been reported.

Delays in the recall process were attributed in part to the large number of vehicles involved, among the largest recalls ever conducted by the companies. The fires were caused by brake fluid leaking onto the circuit boards of antilock braking systems, resulting in an electrical short and ignition of the fluid.

The companies have struggled to obtain sufficient parts, particularly fuses, needed to rectify the issue, affecting some of their top-selling models from 2010 to 2017, including Hyundai's Santa Fe and Elantra and Kia's Sportage and Forte.

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