An investigation into a prior round of recalls involving over 6 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles has been launched by the NHTSA. Eight recalls by Hyundai and an equal number by its sister company Kia are under investigation by the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. The recalls are all connected to a malfunctioning anti-lock braking system that presented a fire risk. Mando, a South Korean component manufacturer, manufactured the brake control unit at the center of the investigation, which was installed in 6.3 million cars and SUVs in the United States.
The NHTSA is interested in knowing if Kia and Hyundai complied with official reporting requirements and why some defect descriptions and suggested repairs varied between recalls, even though the automakers had already recalled vehicles to address the issue.
Between 2016 and 2023, the two automakers conducted several recalls due to the fire risk; the most recent recall was only made public in September of last year. In that instance, Kia stated it was unsure of the precise cause of the issue, while Hyundai stated that a malfunctioning O-ring in the brake module may allow brake fluid to leak, possibly leading to a short circuit and an engine bay fire.
The nearly 3.4 million vehicles included in the joint recall were advised to be parked outside and away from any structures while a recall to address a potential fire hazard was implemented. While Hyundai is scheduled to start contacting its customers on November 21, Kia started contacting affected owners on November 14.