Hyundai and Kia are telling owners of some of their large SUVs to park them outdoors and away from buildings after a series of fires involving trailer hitch wiring.
Korean automakers are recalling more than 281,000 vehicles in the US and Canada because of the problem, but have yet to figure out how to fix it. Automakers reported 25 fires or melting incidents in the two countries caused by the problem, but no accidents or injuries.
The recalls cover more than 245,000 Hyundai Palisades and more than 36,000 Kia Telluride SUVs from the 2020 through 2022 model years.
Approximately 22,345 Hyundai vehicles will be recalled in Canada, a representative for the automaker told CBC News in an email. The company has confirmed three unique fire incidents and eight melting incidents in Canada, according to the representative.
In an email to CBC News, a Kia representative did not respond to an inquiry about how many vehicles were affected in Canada, but said the company is recalling a tow harness accessory that fits the models mentioned. They said 2,863 of those parts were sold in Canada between May 28, 2019 and August 15, 2022.
In documents released Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the companies said debris and moisture can build up on a circuit board in the hitch’s wiring. This can cause an electrical short circuit, which can cause a fire.
According to NHTSA, the problem was first documented in October 2021 when Kia Canada reported a fire incident to Kia North America’s safety office.
Hyundai said dealers will inspect the wiring and remove a fuse as an interim fix. Kia does not have an interim fix. The companies say a final fix is being developed.
Additionally, dealers of both automakers have stopped selling the affected SUVs until repairs are made.