New Recall - February 2021

[stoopid]

I'm honestly in no hurry, the number of vehicles having issues is fairly small and possibly limited to a batch of components(?). I'd likely wait for it to be completed, so no need to sit around the lounge in a mask for hours. Figure they're more motivated to get you in/out if you wait. And maybe in 6 months the line for getting these done will be shorter and techs even better at doing them.

I'm glad they're doing the recall across all models, likely in an 'abundance of caution'. They may have waited to apply the recall to all model years in order to avoid a huge slam at the service departments, and to target the immediate need to the models/year they suspect are at highest risk of catching fire.

 

[rpoffen]

From what I know, the recall is really to fix a design issue. The HECU should draw no more than 20A or so, so it was wired to the fuse box with a wire size appropriate for a 25A max circuit (if it overloaded), however, the fuses for that circuit are 40A. This means that if the HECU failed in such a way to draw upwards of 40A, the fuse will not blow, but the wiring will overheat. The recall wires the HECU to an empty fuse location and installs 25A fuses in that location.
I guess the failure of the HECU in that condition is fairly rare, but if it did happen, a fire could result. After the recall, if the HECU fails, it will blow the 25A fuses and keep it from overheating the wiring.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Silly question but... how do we know if the recall was performed correctly?

Seeing how incompetent my local dealership is... I am growing pretty paranoid now...

lmfao

 

[rpoffen]

The parts kit comes with stickers to place over the fuse locations. If they did all the instructions then the inside of the cover should look like this

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Going to check later this weekend before I have to drive again... thanks btw!!

 

[OriginalRobby]

I had mine done today, I got lucky I was assigned the most meticulous and fussiest mechanic, according to the service manager (and I also know him, he has worked on my car before and I like his attention to detail and just overall a good guy). So far I must say I am impressed, it's like as if he did not even get in my car, there was no trace of him working on my car, except the layout of the fuse box stickers were put on and I know something was done because my C temp unit went to F. I was surprised I have not lost my settings??? Anyone know why?

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I had mine done today, I got lucky I was assigned the most meticulous and fussiest mechanic, according to the service manager (and I also know him, he has worked on my car before and I like his attention to detail and just overall a good guy). So far I must say I am impressed, it's like as if he did not even get in my car, there was no trace of him working on my car, except the layout of the fuse box stickers were put on and I know something was done because my C temp unit went to F. I was surprised I have not lost my settings??? Anyone know why?

I didn't lose my settings either except for the auto-light / auto-high beam / auto-daytime running lights... but my radio and Bluetooth was the same as before...

 

[stoopid]

There's probably a lot of settings saved to non-volatile memory in the head unit.

 

[stoopid]

Haven't seen this answered - do they have to put the car up on the lift for the recall? I assume they don't based only on where the part is, but figure it was worth asking.

 

[OriginalRobby]

Haven't seen this answered - do they have to put the car up on the lift for the recall? I assume they don't based only on where the part is, but figure it was worth asking.

I don't believe so, it's only near the fuse box under the hood, they don't even have to lean on the car, it's easy to access

 

[ChaneRZ]

I didn’t lose any settings also. They drove my car for a test drive though. Caught them on my dash cam lol.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I didn’t lose any settings also. They drove my car for a test drive though. Caught them on my dash cam lol.

Hopefully it wasn't Ferris Bueller style?

 

[ChaneRZ]

Haha. They just did side streets at 25-35 mph.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Haha. They just did side streets at 25-35 mph.

Good thing you have a dashcam!

 

[stoopid]

Looks like they're adding 300,000+ more vehicles to this recall.

Curiously, this new article posted "Dealers will replace fuses in the electrical junction box to fix the problem." Is that all that's actually needed, or misinformation? [edit, see next post -- it's a bit more involved than just a fuse install]

Kia tells owners of nearly 380,000 vehicles to park outside due to engine fire risk

 

[stoopid]

From what I know, the recall is really to fix a design issue. The HECU should draw no more than 20A or so, so it was wired to the fuse box with a wire size appropriate for a 25A max circuit (if it overloaded), however, the fuses for that circuit are 40A. This means that if the HECU failed in such a way to draw upwards of 40A, the fuse will not blow, but the wiring will overheat. The recall wires the HECU to an empty fuse location and installs 25A fuses in that location.
I guess the failure of the HECU in that condition is fairly rare, but if it did happen, a fire could result. After the recall, if the HECU fails, it will blow the 25A fuses and keep it from overheating the wiring.

Good explanation.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Looks like they're adding 300,000+ more vehicles to this recall.

Curiously, this new article posted "Dealers will replace fuses in the electrical junction box to fix the problem." Is that all that's actually needed, or misinformation? [edit, see next post -- it's a bit more involved than just a fuse install]

Kia tells owners of nearly 380,000 vehicles to park outside due to engine fire risk

my gf showed me this article the other day and told me she was worried about my Kia Stinger lmfao... I reassured her that I already got the proper recall done and we're all good.

 

[stoopid]

my gf showed me this article the other day and told me she was worried about my Kia Stinger lmfao... I reassured her that I already got the proper recall done and we're all good.

I'm still waiting, maybe will get the first oil change and recall in one visit. Hopefully that's before April 30, after that the dealers are going to be slammed.

I wonder what set of circumstances cause the unit to fail, and potentially blow the fuse? I would imagine a short of some type, like an intrusion of water. Normal operation shouldn't do it though.

Another PSA to never spray wash your engine! lol

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I'm still waiting, maybe will get the first oil change and recall in one visit. Hopefully that's before April 30, after that the dealers are going to be slammed.

I wonder what set of circumstances cause the unit to fail, and potentially blow the fuse? I would imagine a short of some type, like an intrusion of water. Normal operation shouldn't do it though.

Another PSA to never spray wash your engine! lol

Hmmm... maybe have them include the oil change for free with the recall work?

Yeah idk... I never wash or spray the inside of my engine... I do wipe it off though...

 

[stoopid]

Hmmm... maybe have them include the oil change for free with the recall work?

Yeah idk... I never wash or spray the inside of my engine... I do wipe it off though...

First year's maintenance is on them, supposedly. [haven't confirmed if this is Kia or dealer specific]

I've never ever ever ever cleaned an engine, other than places that *might* need it (or if an animal made a nest), like electrical connections or around the plugs before taking them out. Top of the engine block if the car is really old would be helpful, just to allow it to dissipate heat better. Done by hand, yeah it's fine. With any sprayed fluid - heck no. People are lazy though, and will find the answer they want online to spray away.