Hundreds of thousands of Kia Sportage and Cadenza owners are at risk of their car setting ablaze, according to a Mar. 9 statement from the NHTSA. Owners of select 2017 to 2019 Cadenzas and owners of 2017 to 2021 Sportages, not equipped with Smart Cruise Control, are the ones at risk, the NHTSA says. The recall affects 379,931 cars. Until these recalled vehicles have been properly repaired, the NHTSA says owners “should park their cars outside and away from homes” in case a fire does spark. And for another potential fire risk that may be lurking in your home, check out If You’re Using This to Stay Warm, You Need to Stop Immediately. The fire risk stems from a potential electrical short-circuit under the hood. “The electrical circuit in the hydraulic electronic control unit in these vehicles may short circuit,” explains the NHTSA.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Not every car will demonstrate signs that this could become an issue. However, some red flags that your car may be at risk include illumination of warning lights, “burning/melting odor,” and “smoke from engine compartment,” according to the NHTSA’s report. And for more up-to-date safety tips delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. If your vehicle is affected by the recall, you’re entitled to a free repair at your nearest dealership and you should go as soon as possible, the NHTSA says. To see if your Kia is affected by the recall, you can visit the NHTSA’s website and type in your Vehicle Identification Number to check the status. The Associated Press estimates that 6 million vehicles from Kia and Hyundai, which are owned by Hyundai Motor Group, have been recalled for fire risk or engine failure since 2015. In 2019, the NHTSA began an investigation into Kia and Hyundai engine and fire hazards, which led to the recall of multiple vehicles, and both companies being fined $137 million for moving too slowly on recalling certain cars. Kia denied the allegations, but paid up in an effort to avoid a legal fight, the AP reports. And to see if another constant in your life could be putting you at risk, check out If You’re Using This OTC Medication, Stop Now, FDA Says.
