Federal Investigation Launched into Hyundai and Kia Recalls

Introduction

Kia and Hyundai are facing a challenging November as they deal with legal battles and now a federal investigation. Insurance companies are pursuing a $1 billion lawsuit against the automakers for losses they claim were caused by the TikTok theft craze. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into a series of recalls involving over 6 million vehicles.

The NHTSA Investigation

The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation is examining eight recalls made by Hyundai and Kia each. These recalls are related to a faulty anti-lock braking system that poses a fire risk. The brake control unit at the center of the investigation was manufactured by South Korean company Mando and installed in 6.3 million cars and SUVs in the United States.

Recall Discrepancies

The NHTSA is particularly interested in whether Kia and Hyundai followed official reporting requirements and why there are differences in the descriptions of defects and recommended repairs across recalls when the issue is essentially the same. Both automakers have previously issued multiple recalls related to the fire risk between 2016 and 2023. The most recent recall was announced in September, with Hyundai attributing the problem to a faulty O-ring in the brake module, while Kia claimed uncertainty about the exact cause despite using the same components from Mando.

Impact on Vehicle Owners

The joint recall affected nearly 3.4 million vehicles. Owners were advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures while awaiting the recall fix. Kia has already started reaching out to affected owners, while Hyundai plans to begin contacting customers later this month.