Kia Recall 72,000 Sportage SUVs Over Engine Fire

Kia, a Korean automobile company, has recalled around 72,000 old Sportage SUVs to park outdoors following reports of vehicle engine fires. This latest warning comes after Kia recalled 70,000 of its SUV models from 2016 to 2023, and the owners of the SUVs are advised to park outside due to a faulty tow hitch that mainly poses a fire risk.

It is the second recall notice from the company by Kia for these types of Sportages, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the fires in the Sportage vehicles can begin while the engines are running or when they are turned off.

The Sportages were recalled in 2016 because of corrosion in a wiring harness near the control unit of the engine. Kia also plans to notify owners by a letter that urges the people to keep their vehicles parked outside, and away from the structures that can be developed to address a fire hazard that is near a hydraulic engine control device.

Kia reported eight total engine fire cases and fifteen cases of damage or melting since April 2017, and no injuries were reported in any of the incidents reported by the Korean automobile company.