Florida Senator Bill Nelson is calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate car fires involving Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Nelson is the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. He sent a letter to NHTSA Deputy Director Heidi King noting more than 120 complaints about the car fires.
“We have to find out what is causing these fires and what can be done to prevent them,” Nelson told King. “Owners need to know if their vehicles are safe. As a result, NHTSA must quickly identify and adequately address any serious safety issues.”
The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) has also called on the NHTSA to investigate. According to CAS, the car fires have injured at least six people, and there have been many consumer complaints. The Center says four car models are involved. They are the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV and Sonata sedan, and the Kia Sorento SUV Optima sedan. The model years are 2011 to 2014. Drivers reported that the car fires started without any accidents or collisions. Consumers also complained about smoke and burning smells. Some people reported finding melted wires under the hood. The CAS suggested that the problem may arise from the wiring harness rubbing against fender edges. The center is calling on Hyundai and Kia to recall the vehicles for repair.
Florida Car Fires
Orlando.com reports that there have been 23 cases of Kia and Hyundai car fires in Florida since 2014. None of the fires involved car accidents or collisions. A Brandon woman reported that her Kia Sorrento burst into flames while it was sitting in her driveway. A woman in Tampa reported a similar incident with her 2007 Kia Sedona. In the most dramatic recent Florida car fire, an Ocala woman was driving along I-4 when another driver warned her of flames coming from the 2012 Kia Sorrento she was driving. (Responding to the report, Kia said they had recalled that make and model.)
Car fires, accidents, and collisions can cause injury and death. If you need help recovering losses caused by negligence, contact the Orlando car accident attorneys at Martinez Manglardi. Our Florida personal injury attorneys have been helping accident injury victims for more than 30 years. We have offices throughout Central Florida. Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation.
