Hyundai and sister company Kia are warning owners of 571,000 cars to park them OUTSIDE over fears the towbar could catch fire, recalling Santa Fe, Santa Cruz and Carnival models
- Car owners are being asked to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings because of the fire warning
- Last year, Hyundai recalled more than 245,000 2020-2022 Palisade SUVs over a similar issue
- Owners will be notified beginning May 16, and dealers will remove the hitch fuse and computer module until a fix is available
Hyundai and Kia are recalling more than 568,000 cars over fears a tow hitch wiring harness could catch fire.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned that the fire could be caused by a short circuit.
Car owners are urged to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings until remedial action is complete.
The recall includes the 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid and Santa Cruz models.
Kia America Inc will also recall 3,555 units of its Carnival model made between 2022 and 2023 because of a similar defect.
The recall includes the 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid and Santa Cruz models
has recalled more than 245,000 Palisade SUVs from 2020-2022 over a similar issue. Pictured: Hyundai North America boss Jose Munoz
All have Hyundai or Kia towbar wiring harnesses that came as original equipment or were dealer-installed – with fires a possibility even with the ignitions off.
The NHTSA said, “Water accumulation on the circuit board (PCB) of the hitch wiring harness module can cause an electrical short that could result in a fire.”
Owners will be notified beginning May 16, and dealers will remove the hitch fuse and computer module until a fix is available.
Later they will install a new fuse and cord extension with an improved connector that is waterproof.
The mid-size Santa Fe SUV — both regular and hybrid — goes up to $47,370, while the Santa Cruz Truck is $40,570.
A 2023 Kia Carnival SUV is a family favorite, starting at $33,100.
It comes after Korean automakers announced they would provide free software fixes for 8.3 million vehicles in a bid to stop a TikTok video-inspired theft.
Last year, Hyundai recalled more than 245,000 2020-2022 Palisade SUVs over a similar issue.
Kia America Inc will also recall 3,555 units of its Carnival model made between 2022 and 2023 because of a similar defect
Owners will be notified beginning May 16, and dealers will remove the hitch fuse and computer module until a fix is available
All have Hyundai or Kia towbar wiring harnesses that came as original equipment or were dealer-installed – with fires a possibility even with the ignitions off
They also issued a ban on sales; Order affected inventory from distributors and processing centers in accordance with federal guidelines
Kia said in a statement that there have been six “localized” fires involving the Tellurides.
A Hyundai spokesman confirmed three fires and 16 meltdown incidents in the United States and Canada between January 2020 and July 2022, but no accidents or injuries related to the issue.