Hyundai and Kia, the South Korean automakers, have issued recalls for nearly 92,000 vehicles due to a defect in the oil pump that could potentially cause fires, according to regulatory filings.
The recall involves an electronic controller for an oil pump assembly, known as the “Idle Stop & Go” system, which may contain damaged components from a supplier.
The oil pump in a car is a critical component that circulates engine oil under pressure to the rotating bearings, the sliding pistons, and the camshaft of the engine. This lubrication prevents friction and subsequent wear and tear, allowing the engine to run smoothly and efficiently.
The Hyundai recall covers Palisade vehicles from the 2023 and 2024 model years, Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles from the 2023 model year, and Seltos vehicles from the 2023 and 2024 model year. Kia’s recall, on the other hand, covers Soul and Sportage vehicles from the 2023 model year.
Kia reported six instances of melting components caused by overheating, while Hyundai confirmed four “thermal incidents.” However, neither company was aware of any injuries resulting from the issue.
The estimated number of vehicles that could be affected by the defect is 91,773. Of these, 52,008 are Kia vehicles and the remaining 39,765 are Hyundai vehicles.