Kia Sportage is recalled in the U.S. due to potential fire risk. Kia America is recalling 71,704 Sportage compact SUVs, U.S. road traffic documents show. The recall document, labeled 22V-800, was filed on October 24, 2022. The total number of vehicles involved was 71,704.
The recalled models are the 2008-2009 Sportage. The production date is August 9, 2007 – May 13, 2009. Documents show the engine compartment could catch fire when the vehicle was driven or parked. The fire may have originated in the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) area. The cars involved were asked to park outside, away from other vehicles or structures, until the automaker implemented fixes. until a recall fix has been performed. Kia will reimburse owners for repairs already incurred under Kia’s general reimbursement plan.
The exact cause of the incident and fire is still under investigation.
On August 18, 2022, the Kia North American Safety Office received a questionnaire from vehicle owners. The questionnaire number is 11479730, involving the 2008 Sportage. The questionnaire alleges that when the vehicle had stopped, the ABS warning light came on and the vehicle caught fire. The car was previously recalled and had the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) connector cover replaced. The recall number at the time was 16V815.
Subsequently, a Kia investigation found potential thermal damage in the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) area. The 15 Sportages involved were also recalled for the same reason.
Further investigation found the same problem in eight vehicle fires and 15 localized meltdown/damage incidents identified by Kia. So far, there have been no reports of deaths, injuries or crashes.
On October 17, 2022, Kia decided to recall the 2008-2009 model year, previously recalled sports vehicles under 16V815.
This batch of vehicles was previously recalled in 2016 under the recall number 16V-815.
The recall was due to improper sealing of the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) harness cover and possible corrosion of the harness connector pins in the hydraulic electronic control unit assembly. Moisture from road salt contamination may enter the circuit board of the control unit, which may cause an electrical short circuit. A short circuit could cause an engine compartment fire. However, this condition does not affect braking performance.
The Sportage is a key model for Kia in the United States, but it sold 89,739 units in the United States from January to September 2022, with an average monthly sales of nearly 10,000 units. Everyone’s favorite Kia model.
