Kia has announced it is recalling 27,030 Niro hybrids in the United States for a fire hazard in which a relay can short, "overheat the rear seat," and potentially ignite. The 2017 and 2018 models are both included. Dealers will replace the main relay or the entire power assembly, depending on the damage, starting in late November. According to filings with NHTSA, Kia reported at least three warranty claims for "burn or heat damage" plus another customer complaint of the rear seat lighting on fire. Kia says no accidents or injuries have been reported.
Separately, numerous owner complaints reviewed by the Center for Auto Safety and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida) indicate that some Hyundai and Kia models may pose a fire risk. The Ralph Nader–backed nonprofit has said it has reviewed "at least" 161 complaints of fires that allegedly started without a collision and quotes owners as reporting "melted wires in the engine bay, smoke, and burning odors." The group filed a formal petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this summer, requesting an investigation regarding the 2011–2014 Kia Optima and Sorento and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe models, many of which were recalled in 2015 and 2017 for engine seizures. NHTSA has not formally opened an investigation into these vehicles for fires but is investigating the original recalls, which covered more than 1.6 million cars, as part of an audit. As of June, Sen. Nelson reported at least 23 "spontaneous fires in Florida" involving Hyundai and Kia models since 2014, including one in May that involved a 2012 Sorento that caught fire on the highway. The Center for Auto Safety also reports that NHTSA's database shows 23 reports of non-collision-related fires in 2010–2015 Kia Soul models and calls the figure "concerning.
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