Press Releases
03/18/2019
ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION INTO HYUNDAI AND KIA FIRES
Attorney General William Tong today announced that Connecticut is one of the leaders of an ongoing multistate investigation into both Hyundai and Kia for potential Unfair and Deceptive Acts or Practices related to spontaneous vehicle fires.
"My office is one of the leaders of an ongoing multistate investigation into deeply troubling reports of spontaneous fires in Hyundai and Kia vehicles. We are aware of multiple fires involving Connecticut vehicles, including some allegedly already repaired through the recall process. This is a serious matter, and we are moving aggressively and responsibly to uncover the facts and to ensure accountability," said Attorney General Tong.
Media reports over the past several months describe accounts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles spontaneously bursting into flames. On some occasions, cars caught fire while traveling on streets or highways. In others, the cars caught fire while parked on the street or in consumers' home garages. Some consumers were unaware that their cars were on fire and were alerted to the danger only when they were flagged down or stopped by other motorists. Other consumers reported that their car hesitated or stalled and that the check engine light illuminated moments before they saw smoke coming from the engine compartment.
Both Hyundai and Kia initiated recalls of several hundred thousand cars equipped with the Theta II Gasoline Direct Injection engine beginning in 2015. To check if your vehicle is subject to recall, visit Hyundai and Kia's recall sites, as well as Safercar.gov.
The Office of the Attorney General is unable to share details of the ongoing investigation at this time, but can confirm that we are aware of multiple fires involving Connecticut vehicles, including cases of engine fires in vehicles with already completed recall-related repairs.
Assistant Attorney General Brendan Flynn and Consumer Protection Department Head Mike Wertheimer are assisting the Attorney General with this matter.
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