Hyundai And Kia Warn Certain Models Can Catch Fire

Hyundai and Kia car companies have come under a lot of scrutiny lately because of the ease some of their models can be stolen, leading to 1000s of cars being stolen
in larger cities around the US. Now they are dealing with another incident leaving a black eye on the companies.

Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of more than a half million SUVs and minivans in the U.S. to park them outdoors because the tow hitch harnesses can catch fire while
they are parked or being driven.

The affiliated Korean automakers are recalling the vehicles and warning people to park them away from structures until repairs are made.

Affected Hyundai vehicles include the 2019 to 2023 Santa Fe, the 2021 to 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid, the 2022 and 2023 Santa Fe Plug-in hybrid and the 2022 and 2023 Santa Cruz. The only Kia affected is the Carnival minivan from 2022 and 2023. All have Hyundai or Kia tow hitch harnesses that came as original equipment or were installed by dealers.

The Korean automakers say in documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators that water can get into a circuit board on the hitches and cause a short circuit even if the ignitions are off.

Hyundai has reports of one fire and five heat damage incidents with no injuries. Kia has no reports of fires or injuries.

The City of Milwaukee is suing the car makers over the surge in car thefts. Last week, the city filed a federal lawsuit accusing the companies of having a design flaw in their cars, making them easy to steal. The two brands make up more than half of all stolen vehicles in the city.