Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia are recalling almost 485,000 cars because of a potential fire hazard.
The affected cars can catch fire even if the engines have been turned off, The Associated Press reported.
Because of the risk, owners are being told to keep their vehicles outside and away from structures until they are repaired.
The fires can be caused by an issue with the anti-lock brake control module which could cause an electrical short.
The list of recalled cars includes certain makes and models including:
- Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 to 2016
- Kia K900 sedans from 2016 through 2018
- Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from 2016 through 2018
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sports from 2017 and 2018
- Hyundai Santa Fe XL from 2019
- Hyundai Tucson SUVs from 2014 and 2015
So far there have been 11 reports of fires but no one was hurt.
Car dealerships will replace a fuse in the cars that are recalled. Hyundai dealers will also look at control modules and replace them as needed, the AP reported.
Owners of the recalled Kias will get letters in the mail starting March 31 while Hyundai vehicles will get notifications starting April 5.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had started an investigation into engine compartment fires linked to the automakers.
The NHTSA had received 161 complaints of engine fires as of December during its investigation of more than 3 million vehicles from the 2011 through 2016 model years, the AP reported.
The first recall due to an engine failure and fire was in September 2015.
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