Non-crash Vehicle Fires

Electrical System
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Electrical System:Ignition
Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid
Electrical System:Wiring
Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
Engine
Engine And Engine Cooling
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Other Fuel Types:Turbo/Supercharger
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights
Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights:Switch
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch
Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Unit
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights:Switch
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
Unknown Or Other

Summary
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) had already opened Recall Queries (RQ17-003 and RQ17-004) on all Kia and Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II engines for engine failures that may cause stalling and fires.The queries cover most of the petition subject Optima, Sorento, Sonata, and Santa Fe vehicles but not any of the subject Soul vehicles.On August 21, 2018, ODI opened a Defect Petition (DP18-003) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the CAS petition. ODI sent Information Request letters to Kia and Hyundai (September and October 2018) requesting information on all engine and non-engine related fires in the petition vehicles.ODI performed extensive analysis on the information obtained from Kia and Hyundai. During the DP18-003 analysis, Kia and Hyundai each initiated three additional safety recalls related to engine compartment fires on certain petitioned and non-petitioned vehicles (nearly 740,000 total vehicles: Recalls 18V-907, 18V-934, 19V-101, 19V-063, 19V-120, and 19V-204). Based on ODI?s review of the applicable materials, including responses to Information Requests sent to multiple manufacturers, Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ), and Early Warning Data, NHTSA decided to grant the petition.The CAS petition was granted on March 29, 2019. Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) have been opened to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of alleged defects relating to non-collision vehicle fires in the 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe, and 2010-2015 Kia Soul.Attached is a list of the reference numbers for the 404 VOQs cited above.
Documents (16)

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Date Opened
AUG 21, 2018
Date Closed
MAY 10, 2019
NHTSA Recall #
18V907000
  • Status:
    RECALLED
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