Fire risk Kia: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Kia models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentKia Sportage IVShort circuit in the ABS/ESP unit with fire riskYes: Germany's KBA and the US NHTSA have recorded several campaigns (2021 and 2025) over a short circuit in the ABS/ESP unit that can cause a fire in the engine bay, even with the car parked and switched off.
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentKia Sportage IVFaulty connector in the electric auxiliary heater with fire riskYes: in August 2022 the KBA recorded a campaign over a faulty connector in the electric auxiliary heater of some Sportage QL cars, with a fire risk.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Clutch hydraulic actuator (HCA): leak or moisture with risk of short circuit and fireYes, this is the most documented hybrid system fault: the hydraulic actuator that engages the combustion engine with the hybrid assembly has had two recalls (2018 for a leak on the Niro and 2025 for moisture in its electronic board on the Niro, Ceed and XCeed PHEV), with a risk of short circuit and fire.
In Ceed III, Niro I and XCeed
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai-Kia eléctrico (Ioniq, Kona, e-Niro, Soul EV)Traction battery: fire risk from defective cells or insufficient supervisionHyundai and Kia have recalled their electric cars because of the battery: Ioniq (2019-2022), Kona (2018-2023), e-Niro (2020-2022) and Soul EV (2014-2018). The supervision software may fail to detect cell instability or short circuits in time, creating a fire risk.
In Niro I and Soul II
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Carens IIIInternal brake fluid leak in the ABS/ESC hydraulic unit with fire riskA February 2025 Safety Gate alert includes Carens built between September 2009 and December 2012. An internal brake fluid leak can cause a short circuit in the ABS/ESC electrical circuit and overheat the fuse box, with a risk of an engine fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Main relay of the power relay assembly (overheating and fire risk)Yes, on the first units: Hyundai and Kia recalled 2016–2018 Ioniq and Niro hybrids and plug-in hybrids because the main relay that connects the high-voltage battery could come loose, overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
In Niro I
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Optima IIIABS/ESC hydraulic unit (HECU) short circuit with fire riskYes: a Safety Gate alert (campaign 241A04QF) covers Optimas built between 11 August 2011 and 11 July 2013: an internal brake fluid leak in the ABS/ESC can cause a short circuit and overheat the fuse box, with a risk of fire. The repair is free.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Picanto IInternal leak in the ABS/ESC hydraulic unit: short-circuit and fire riskYes: Picantos built between 17 December 2009 and 11 January 2011 are covered by a campaign (Safety Gate alert 7/2025) because an internal brake fluid leak in the ABS/ESC unit can cause a short circuit and overheat the fuse box, with a risk of fire. It is corrected at an official dealer.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Rio IIIShort circuit in the ABS/ESC brake unit (HECU): fire riskYes: in December 2024 Kia recalled 59,379 Rio UB built between 15 December 2010 and 31 March 2017 because the hydraulic brake unit (HECU, which manages the ABS and ESC) can suffer an internal leak and a short circuit that, in extreme cases, overheats the fuse box with a risk of fire under the bonnet, according to the British DVSA.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Sportage IIIShort circuit in the ABS/ESC brake unit (HECU): fire riskYes: Kia has recalled the Sportage SL at least twice (February 2023 and December 2024) because the hydraulic brake unit (HECU, which manages the ABS and ESC) can suffer an internal leak and an electrical short circuit that, in extreme cases, overheats the fuse box with a risk of fire in the engine bay, according to the UK's DVSA.

By Kia model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

What faults with a fire risk do Kia cars have?

In 10 models from Kia there are 10 documented faults with a fire risk. The most important: short circuit in the ABS/ESP unit with fire risk, faulty connector in the electric auxiliary heater with fire risk and clutch hydraulic actuator (HCA): leak or moisture with risk of short circuit and fire. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Kia models have the most problems with a fire risk?

Kia Niro I (3 faults), Kia Sportage IV (2 faults), Kia Picanto I (1 fault) and Kia Carens III (1 fault).

Which Kia engines have faults with a fire risk?

1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa) (2 faults) and Hyundai-Kia eléctrico (Ioniq, Kona, e-Niro, Soul EV) (1 fault).