Kia is recalling a total of 463,500 Optima and Sorento vehicles – more than 23,000 of which are in Canada – over a brake fluid leak issue which continues to pose a dangerous fire risk.
The automaker is calling on drivers to turn their vehicles over to their local dealerships, where the vehicles’ hydraulic electronic control units (HECUs) will be inspected for any brake fluid leaks and replaced if necessary. Dealers will also install new multi-fuses in the vehicles to further prevent any fire risk.
Owners of the affected vehicles have also been advised to park the automobiles outside, and away from anything flammable.
The recall is a follow-up to the one Kia made in September 2020, wherein the automaker recalled 2013-2015 Optimas and 2014-2015 Sorentos. Vehicles from those model years have a problem with brake fluid potentially leaking inside the HECUs, which can result in short circuits and electrical fires.
At the time, Kia dealers were told to inspect the control units for leaking brake fluid and replace the electronic control units, as needed. However, a dealer found an Optima suffered isolated melting which happened after the original recall repairs.
Kia had considered repairs to protect the HECU from overcurrent conditions between November 2020 and March 2021. In that time, the company said that it had developed a new multi-fuse with lower amperage, and that the fuse had been put through testing to confirm its effectiveness.
CarComplaints.com reported that the short circuit risk had already caused six Optima and two Sorento fire-related complaints. Kia said that it was not aware of any crashes, injuries, or death resulting from the leaking brake fluid.
Notification letters will be sent to vehicle owners on Jul 02, 2021. All previously recalled Kia vehicles will need to revisit dealers.
