Safety: US Regulators intensify probe of 161 reports of Hyundai, Kia engine fires

*The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shifts its formal investigation into high gear as the regulatory agency continues to examine a rash of about 161 reports of engine fires without a crash plaguing Hyundai and Kia vehicle models

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following the receipt of 161 reports of engine fires over the last six years, the United States (US) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has shifted its investigation into high gear as the regulatory agency continues to examine a rash of engine fires plaguing Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

ConsumerConnect gathered the NHTSA, having received 161 reports of engine fires over the last six years, began a formal investigation 2019.

The investigation covered the 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento and the 2010-2015 Kia Soul, along with the 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe, agency report said.

However, some affected vehicle owners in the reported fires disclosed that they did not involve a crash.

The safety regulators have begun an engineering analysis of about three million vehicles, many of which have been subject to recalls.

Part of the analysis will determine just how effective the recalls have been, NHTSA officials said.

What consumers say

Meanwhile, Jennifer, of Eagle, Idaho, in the US, has related how her 2020 Hyundai Elantra was subject to an engine recall but when she took it to a Hyundai dealer, she was told the recall remedy wouldn’t work, and that she needed a new engine.

Jennifer wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review: “I am in disbelief that this car is under a year old and needs a brand new engine.

“That is literally the most insane thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Likewise, Marlene, of Rayne, La., reported that her 2014 Kia Forte caught fire while it was parked and she was out of town.

“The car was locked and both keys were with me. The car set itself on fire,” Marlene wrote in a her review.

Both Hyundai and Kia have also issued statements, assuring authorities of their plan to fully cooperate during the agency’s investigations.

The two companies paid $210 million in civil penalties in 2020 after the NHTSA said they were late in recalling 1.6 million vehicles for engine defects, report noted.

ConsumerConnect had reported that the automakers began a series of recalls in September 2015, to address different engine problems.

NHTSA documents also indicated that the global automakers have issued eight more recalls since then to address various engine issues.

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