Duluth Area Kia + Hyundai Owners! Recall Issued Due to Fire Risk

Heads up Duluth area Kia and Hyundai owners! Tuesday, the Korean manufacturers of those vehicles issued a recall that impacts nearly 485,000 vehicles. This isn't just associated with driving the vehicles.

In fact, they are advising owners of the vehicles involved in the recall to park outside and away from structures as they can catch fire, even if the engines have been turned off. Owners are advised to follow these recommendations until repairs can be made.

The issue involves contamination in the antilock brake control module that can cause an electrical short. This increases the risk of fire while the vehicles are being driven or even when parked.

The following vehicles are included in this recall:

Kia

Certain Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 through 2016, and the 2016 through 2018 K900 sedan.

Hyundai

Certain 2016 through 2018 Santa Fe SUVs, 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe Sports, the 2019 Santa Fe XL and 2014 and 2015 Tucson SUVs.

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To repair the issue, dealers will need to replace a fuse. Hyundai is expected to mail notification letters to owners starting April 5, and Kia is expected to send them March 31.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is advising owners to visit www.nhtsa.gov and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their automobile is being recalled.

Before repairs are made, there could be warning signs that drivers could see or smell, according to Kia. The antilock brake warning light could come on, and they could smell something burning or melting, or see smoke coming from the engine compartment.

Getty Images

According to ABC News, this recall comes after U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stepped up a series of investigations into engine compartment fires that have plagued the Korean automakers since they issued their first related recall in September, 2015.

Regarding this recall, to date they have 11 reports of fires in the United States, but no injuries have been reported.

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

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Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

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