Park on the street: Hyundai, Kia recall nearly 300,000 SUVs due to tow hitch fire risk

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are telling owners of some of their large SUVs to park them outdoors and away from buildings after a series of fires linked to hitch wiring.

Korean automakers are recalling more than 281,000 vehicles in the U.S. because of the problem, but have yet to figure out how to fix it. Automakers have reported 25 fires or melting incidents in the U.S. and Canada caused by the problem, but no accidents or injuries.

Remembers covering more than 245,000 Hyundai Palisade SUVs and more than 36,000 Kia Telluride SUVs from the 2020 to 2022 model years.

In documents released Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the companies said debris and moisture can build up on the circuit board in the hitch’s wiring. This may cause a short circuit, which may cause a fire.

Hyundai said dealers will check the wiring and remove the fuse as an interim repair. Kia has no mid-term repairs. Businesses say a definitive fix is ​​being developed.

In addition, dealers of both automakers have stopped selling the affected SUVs pending repairs.