Owners of some Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride SUVs should park their vehicles outside and away from structures until they can be repaired because of a fire risk associated with accessory trailer hitches that triggered manufacturer recalls in recent days.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration issued the consumer alert for the fire risk Tuesday for owners of certain 2020 to 2022 model year Palisade and Telluride vehicles. The recall covers more than 245,000 Palisade models and more than 36,000 Tellurides.
In addition, NHTSA said a "stop sale" has been issued for affected unsold vehicles on dealer lots or in transit to dealerships.
Kia assembles its popular Telluride SUV at its factory in West Point, about 80 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta.
The issue involves accessory tow hitches sold via dealers that may allow moisture to work its way into a module and cause a short circuit. The alert said, "in some cases, an electrical short can cause a vehicle fire while driving or while parked and turned off."
In a statement, Hyundai said approximately 40,480 accessory tow hitches are likely affected, though the recall includes all Palisades from model years 2020 to 2022 that were sold in the U.S. Three incidents of fires have been confirmed in Canada, but no crashes or injuries, Hyundai said.
No confirmed injuries, crashes or fires related to the problem have been reported in the U.S., the alert said. Hyundai said eight melting incidents have been reported in the U.S. and another eight in Canada have been reported.
"Owners can continue driving these vehicles; however, Hyundai recommends parking their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed," the company said. "All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer for inspection of tow hitch harness module condition and remedy, if necessary."
Hyundai, as an interim repair, will inspect the hitch and remove the affected fuse if necessary, the alert said. So far, an interim repair has not been announced for affected Kia Tellurides.
"The recall repair is under development," the alert said. "When a repair is available, all owners of vehicles potentially equipped with affected trailer hitch wiring harnesses will be notified by mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai or Kia dealer."
An email to a Kia representative was not immediately answered.
NHTSA said motorists can visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and search their 17-digit vehicle identification number for any active recalls.
