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NHTSA opens probe into 3 million Kia, Hyundai vehicles for fire risks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Monday it would open a new safety defect investigation into three million Hyundai and Kia vehicles for fires not caused by crashes. The investigation is in response to a petition seeking a probe by the Center for Auto Safety. The auto safety agency since 2007 has been investigating some Hyundai and Kia vehicles for fire risks. The South Korean automakers have recalled more than 2.3 million vehicles since 2015 to address various engine fire risks. Hyundai did not immediately comment, while Kia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NHTSA said the decision to initiate the additional safety defect probe was based on its analysis of information received from multiple manufacturers, consumer complaints and other sources. Last month, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said a group of U.S. states is investigating Hyundai and Kia for potential unfair and deceptive acts related to reports of hundreds of vehicle fires. In November, Reuters reported that federal prosecutors had launched a criminal investigation into Hyundai and Kia to determine if vehicle recalls linked to engine defects had been conducted properly. Reuters reported in January that the companies would offer software upgrades for 3.7 million vehicles not being recalled. A South Korean whistleblower in 2016 reported concerns to NHTSA, which has been probing the timeliness of three U.S. recalls and whether they covered enough vehicles. In 2015, Hyundai recalled 470,000 U.S. Sonata sedans, saying engine failure would result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. At the time, Kia did not recall its vehicles, which share the same "Theta II" engines. In March 2017, Hyundai expanded its original U.S. recall to 572,000 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles with those Theta II engines, citing the same issue involving manufacturing debris. On the same day, Kia also recalled 618,000 Optima, Sorento and Sportage vehicles, all of which use the same engine.Reporting by David Shepardson.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe production version shown in first photos

Hyundai is continuing to trickle out information about the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe crossover, this time releasing exterior and interior images that give us a good sense of the production version. It'll get its world premiere later this month before making its official bow in Geneva in March. Hyundai had previously released a darkened teaser photograph that showed the profile of the three-row crossover, its largest passenger car, then last week a pair of official renderings that showed a hulking, muscular SUV. The new exterior image shows the Santa Fe from virtually the same angle, and it reveals a few differences from the most recent renderings. For starters, the greenhouse is more generous, not as narrow as in the rendering. The massive wheels have been brought down to a less aggressive size, and the production version isn't quite so bulging down the flanks. But it keeps the Cascading grille, the upright fascia, twin headlights and the prominent crease along the profile just below the windows. The fourth-generation SUV also grows in size, with a length of 187.8 inches, width of 74.4 inches and a longer wheelbase, giving it a wide, athletic stance. Inside, Hyundai says there's more room for passengers, with enhanced visibility and a horizontal layout, with a center touchscreen atop a relatively uncluttered console. The Santa Fe will come equipped with Hyundai's new rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, which helps warn of approaching vehicles when the driver reverses out of areas with poor visibility and apply the brakes automatically when an oncoming vehicle is detected. It also gets safety exit assist technology, which Hyundai says temporarily locks the doors when it detects vehicles approaching from behind — presumably meaning in those situations where you're about to open your door in a parking space as a car pulls into the spot next to you.Related Video:

Hyundai recalls 6,071 more Velosters over shattering sunroofs

Back in December, Hyundai issued a recall affecting some 13,500 Veloster hatchbacks because their optional panoramic sunroofs could possibly shatter while the vehicle is in motion. Now, an expansion of that recall has been announced, with an additional 6,071 units of the 2012 model year hatchback figuring in to the problem.
The original recall covered cars built between November 1, 2011 and April 17, 2012, but this expansion concerns vehicles built from July 4, 2011 to October 31, 2011. Just like before, the official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bulletin states that these vehicles may be fitted with sunroofs that were inadvertently weakened during installation, and thus, can possibly break while the vehicle is in motion.
This second sunroof recall is expected to kick off next month. Dealers will inspect the sunroofs in these affected vehicles and will replace the whole assembly if necessary, free of charge. Scroll down to read the full NHTSA report.