Until it is investigated independently..
the block is same and the issue is with block on USDM .. Now recent recall in US also involves fire and the issue of brake fluid .
I know the local engine is different [ fuel injection system only] but when we investigate the fire issue and that too similar, we need to cross reference.
Unfortunately we dont have local independent agency .
USDM , NHTSA has record of 3100 [ Hyundai and Kia combined] fires BUT recall is for almost 5 million vehicles.
I think, PKDM fires may not be related but we cant also throw it under the carpet. These incidents should remain on record for future reference. Reason being , USDM recall also involves vehicles from 2011 although recall started 9 years later after Federal regulators investigation.
In case of Sportage fire , dealer did an investigation that too just visual inspection and made a report in 3 hours. That report has too many flaws in it if you look at the vehicle involved in the fire event. Also report is from dealer and was shared by KIA Pakistan, being it neutral has question mark. They just blamed the "after market accessory" BUT never named that accessory publicly. they should have named it so in future no other incident happens.. but NO..
So, as I said, we need an independent agency who investigate.
As an additional info, both Hyundai and KIA share engines and other components and mostly manufactured at the same location , that is the reason the same problem is affecting models from both brands. It is for further information that the engines in North American KIA and Hyundai are primarily made in USA and the issue is exclusive to North American market only. The engines made at South Korea were not reported with the same problem.
As a reminder back in February 2019, South Korean prosecutors raided Hyundai and KIA main offices and other facilities in an investigation which alleged that both companies concealed defects in some of their vehicles. in 2017 a similar raid was also conducted by South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport agency after many civic groups requested for probe into Hyundai and KIA over coverup of defects in 12 different models. That investigation resulted in recall of around 238,000 vehicles in South Korea.
