Hyundai recalls cars for problem that can cause engine fires

The Hyundai logo on a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV on display at the 2019 Pittsburgh International Auto Show in Pittsburgh is seen in this Feb. 14, 2019, file photo. Hyundai is recalling nearly 430,000 small cars because water could get into the anti-brake lock computer, causing an electrical short and possibly an engine fire. The latest recall covers certain Elantra models manufactured between 2006 and 2011, and Elantra Touring vehicles produced from 2007 to 2011. AP

Hyundai is recalling nearly 430,000 cars because of the possibility of water getting into the anti-brake lock computer, causing an electrical short and possibly an engine fire.

The recall is another in a series of problems that the South Korean automaker and its affiliate company Kia have had with engine fires over the past few years. Past problems have triggered an investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The latest recall covers certain Elantra models manufactured between 2006 and 2011, and Elantra Touring vehicles produced from 2007 to 2011.

Hyndai said the electrical short could cause a fire even when the cars are turned off, but added Friday that the rate was so low that it was not necessary to park the cars outside.

The company said in documents filed with the U.S. government that it has received three reports of fires but no related injuries.

Dealers will install a relay in the cars' main electrical junction box to prevent short circuits while the car is turned off. The recall is to start April 3.

Last April, the NHTSA opened two new investigations into fires involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles after getting complaints of more than 3,100 fires and 103 injuries.

The agency granted a petition seeking the investigations by the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, a consumer advocacy group.

The investigations, one into Hyundai and the other for Kia, cover non-crash fires in almost 3 million vehicles from the affiliated automakers. The probes cover the 2011 through 2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe, the 2011 through 2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and the 2010 through 2015 Kia Soul. The complaints came from consumers and from data provided by both automakers.

The NHTSA had previously said it would incorporate the non-crash fires into a 2017 investigation that examined recalls of Hyundai and Kia vehicles for engine failures. It opened the new probes ``based on the agency's analysis of information received from multiple manufacturers, consumer complaints and other sources.``

Engine failure and fire problems with Hyundais and Kias have affected more than 6 million vehicles since 2015, according to NHTSA documents. So far, Hyundai and Kia have recalled about 2.4 million vehicles to fix problems that could cause fires or engine failures.

In addition, the automakers are doing a ``product improvement campaign`` covering another 3.7 million vehicles to install software that will alert drivers of possible engine failures and send the cars into a reduced-speed ``limp`` mode if problems are detected.

The latest recall ``is not related to the previous Hyundai recalls for engine issues,'' Hyundai spokesman Michael Stewart said in an email Friday. (AP)