Kia Urges 463,000 Owners to Park Away From Homes Due to Fire Danger

Federal safety regulators are telling nearly half a million Kia owners to keep their vehicles parked outside and away from structures because of a fire risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the warning this week, affecting certain Kia models that may catch fire even when the engine is off.

The problem involves a faulty component that can overheat under the hood, potentially igniting a blaze.

The warning covers roughly 463,000 vehicles, including popular models like the Sportage and Sorento from specific model years. Kia is working on a fix, but until a recall repair is available, the safest move is to park away from garages, carports, or any building. Owners should also avoid leaving the car running unattended.

The NHTSA says the defect has been linked to several reported fires, though no injuries have been confirmed so far.

Kia says it will notify affected owners by mail with instructions on how to get the free repair once parts are ready. In the meantime, the company advises anyone with questions to contact their local dealer or call Kia's customer service line. This is the latest in a string of fire-related recalls for the automaker, which has faced scrutiny over engine and electrical issues in recent years.

For now, the message is simple: park it outside, keep it away from the house, and wait for the fix.