Hyundai, Kia Expand Trailer Wiring Recall to Prevent Possible Fires
More Hyundai and Kia vehicles will have to be recalled because of a potentially faulty trailer wiring harness that could result in a short circuit and cause the control module to overheat.
The recall was first announced last August and originally affected 292,000 Palisade and Telluride SUVs (MY2020-2022) in North America, including some 6,800 in Canada. A month later, 70,000 Sorento (MY2016-2022) and Sportage (MY2017-2022) SUVs were added to the list, including just under 3,000 Sorentos on this side of the border.
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This week, the recall expanded to cover an additional 570,000 Hyundais and Kia. Affected models include the 2019-2023 Santa Fe (including hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants), 2022-2023 Santa Cruz and 2022-2023 Carnival. The number of units being recalled in Canada amounts to 2,750.
Once again, the two companies advise owners to park their vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed. The wiring harness has constant power, so even when vehicles are shut off, the risk of a short circuit remains.
Hyundai is aware of six incidents potentially related to the issue, though only one resulted in a fire. No known incidents with the Carnival have been reported.
It’s also important to point out that the recall only affects four-pin trailer wiring harness kits. These kits may have been ordered at the time of a vehicle purchase, or purchased separately from a dealer as an aftermarket accessory.
Dealers can inspect the vehicles and remove the "TRAILER" fuse in the under-hood fuse box out of precaution. Eventually, they will install new wiring along with a new fuse. Hyundai and Kia will contact owners when these parts become available.