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Kia Sportage and Cadenza brake control unit fire risk

NHTSA campaign 21V137000 · Reported 2021-03-04 · Kia Motors America

critical How serious is it? About this label

Serious — an engine compartment fire can cause injury, so as a precaution park outdoors away from buildings until the free repair is complete.

⚠ Park outside, away from buildings — fire risk. See all such recalls.

What's wrong, in plain English

The control unit for the anti-lock brakes has an electrical circuit that can short out. If it does, it can start a fire in the engine compartment. Kia says park outside and away from buildings as a precaution until the repair is done. Dealers replace certain fuses in the electrical box under the hood, and cars with an electronic parking brake also get updated software for the brake control unit. All of the work is free.

What you should do

1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is affected.
2. Park outside and away from structures as a precaution.
3. Contact your Kia dealer or Kia at 1-800-333-4542 (recall SC206) for the free fuse replacement and, if applicable, the software update.

Affected vehicles (6)

2018 Kia Cadenza
2018 Kia Sportage
2019 Kia Cadenza
2019 Kia Sportage
2020 Kia Sportage
2021 Kia Sportage

Who to contact

Kia — official Kia recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-333-4542

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Kia brake recalls: engine fire risk and loss of braking power · all 4 Kia recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Safety risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.