U.S. safety regulators step up probe into Hyundai, Kia engine fires

The Countrywide Freeway Website traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stepped up its probe into motor fires that have plagued some Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors Corp autos for extra than six yrs.

The U.S. auto basic safety agency reported it had opened an “engineering examination” covering about three million autos to consider, among the other factors, the efficacy of remembers initiated by the two automakers. The agency added that it was knowledgeable of 161 fires taking place likely because of to motor failures.

An engineering examination is the up coming phase in a method that could lead to a recall, despite the fact that at times NHTSA closes such probes without the need of demanding any motion.

The agency had opened an investigation in 2019 covering the 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento and the 2010-2015 Kia Soul, along with the 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe to investigate cases of non-crash fires.

Hyundai reported on Monday it proceeds to thoroughly cooperate with NHTSA in regards to non-collision motor fires. Kia did not respond to a request for remark.

The two South Korean organizations had agreed to a file $210 million civil penalty final 12 months soon after regulators reported they unsuccessful to recall 1.six million autos for motor challenges in a well timed manner.