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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America have agreed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall almost 600,000 vehicles which might have a brake-fluid leak which could cause a fire.
The recall covers 283,803 2013-15 model year Kia Optima sedans, 156,567 2014-15 Kia Sorento SUVs and 151,205 2013-15 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs manufactured at the Kia facility in Georgia.
According to the NHTSA safety recall reports (20V-519 covering the Kia vehicles, 20V-520 covering Hyundai), “The subject vehicles are equipped with Anti-lock Brake System (“ABS”) modules that could leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short over time. An electrical short in the ABS module could increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.”
Related post:
Hyundai Recall Due to Possible Fire Caused by Faulty ABS Module
The recall report went on to describe some of the symptoms of the issue:
- Smoke from the engine compartment
- Burning/melting odor
- Illumination of the MIL and/or ABS light
Notification will go, via first-class mail, to Kia owners beginning Oct. 12 while Hyundai owners will begin receiving notification Oct. 23.
All owners will asked to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai/Kia dealer for inspection of the ABS module and, if necessary, replacement with a new one. The remedy procedure will be performed at no charge.