Kia Motors and affiliate Hyundai Motor stated on Thursday they are recalling about 534,000 additional U.S. vehicles at danger of engine fires.
Kia stated it is recalling 378,000 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles due to engine damage and fire risks, where as Hyundai and Kia are recalling 155,000 2011-2013 Tucson vehicles and 2011-2012 Sportage vehicles due to potential oil pan leaks in a separate callback.
In the previous month, the companies stated they would recall 168,000 vehicles for fire risks.
The automakers have now recalled over 2.3 million vehicles since 2015 to look into various engine fire risks in a range of recalls.
In November 2018, Reuters reported that federal prosecutors had started a criminal investigation into Hyundai and Kia to discover if vehicle recalls associated to engine defects were carried out appropriately. The companies have refused to discuss the investigation.
Kia stated one new recall Thursday was prompted by high exhaust gas temperatures that could harm the catalytic converter and possibly other parts. Dealers will upgrade software to avoid overheating of the catalytic converter.
On Wednesday, the Center for Auto Safety, that has petitioned NHTSA to demand the recall of extra vehicles, informed Congress that Kia and Hyundai must recall more vehicles at risk of fires following reports of 300 fires that were not the result of a collision.
