Goodbye Kia – recalls 380,000 faulty cars due to a serious defect that could cause them to catch fire – here’s the list of affected models

KIA is not going through its best moment and once again it is forced to occupy the front pages of newspapers, and it is that they have been involved again in a massive recall, this time, 380,000 users are affected by a factory defect that could put their lives at risk, so, if you have a KIA, this information interests you.

What is the Recall about?

As we said, 380,000 KIA vehicles have been discovered to have a fault in the electronic brake control unit that could cause the engine to catch fire.

In fact, KIA has shared some safety instructions for these vehicles in which it advises parking the vehicle outdoors because the engine can catch fire at any time… how scary!

Which vehicles are affected by this recall?

First of all, they are recalling Kia Sportage SUVs manufactured between 2017 and 2021, and also Kia Cadenza sedans manufactured between 2017 and 2019. 380,000 units of vehicles in total that will have to go to the dealership to repair this defect.

Are there any warning signs?

Yes, if you own a Sportage or Cadenza, you will need to pay attention to the following symptoms in your car:

1. Warning lights on the dashboard (such as tire pressure and anti-lock brakes)
2. Burning smell (obviously if you smell burning, please do not start your vehicle)
3. Smoke in the engine area
4. Abnormal performance of the brake system.

If you see any of these signs, please stop immediately, evacuate the vehicle, and call emergency services and your repair shop so they can tow the vehicle as safely as possible.

What has KIA done to solve this problem?

First of all, it has notified its users that their vehicles are at risk, and they have informed them that they will replace (free of charge, of course) all the fuses in the electrical connection box to solve this error and minimize the risk of fire. In addition, they will review other possible faults so that no more problems occur

When will the repairs begin?

It is estimated that from April 30th the first notifications will begin to arrive for customers to go to the dealership, they must first schedule an appointment with KIA and they will be in charge of the rest.

Is it safe to continue driving?

Ideally, you should stop driving these vehicles unless absolutely necessary until they are repaired. If you absolutely must use them, it is best to perform visual inspections and pay close attention to the temperature of the vehicle. As soon as you see any signs of overheating or smoke, get out of the vehicle and call emergency services.

What do I do if I have one of these vehicles?

1. Do not park the vehicle near your home or near structures that can burn, better in the open air on the street.
2. Check if your vehicle is included in this recall with your VIN on the official KIA website
3. Contact your dealer to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
4. Check with your insurer to see if you could access some type of coverage in case of incidents.

KIA has assured that it is cooperating with the authorities to resolve this problem, but both KIA and Hyundai have been involved in several lawsuits by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for problems with the safety of their vehicles, and this is just one more example of how this is not being KIA’s decade. Even though, they are trying their best to not lose the trust of their users, let’s give them a vote of confidence, and above all, be careful with your KIA!!!