Korean automakers announced that they are recalling about 591,000 2013 and older Kia Optima and Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs.
Company officials said the vehicles could suffer a brake-fluid leak that could lead to a fire.
According to company officials, there have been 15 reports of engine fires in Hyundai and eight in Kia vehicles because of this issue, although no accidents or injuries have been reported.
Hyundai spokesman Michael Stewart told the Associated Press, "out of an abundance of caution," the vehicles should not be parked inside garages. The Hyundai recall starts on October 23.
Thousands of cars and drivers have reached out to Kia for comment on the situation as it relates to the Optima and Sorento vehicles also under recall.
According to spokesman Stewart, the problem was first reported in 2018 and the automaker had been investigating. Stewart said an engine fire could happen even if the car is not turned on.
Affected vehicles include 440,370 Kia vehicles, including 283,803 Optimas from 2013–2015 and 156,567 Sorentos from 2014 and 2015, plus 151,000 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs from the 2013–2015 model year.
Stewart said those who own these models of Kia or Hyundai vehicles could check the **[NHTSA recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)** website to find out if their car is affected. Owners of Kia are expected to be notified by the automakers starting on October 15, while Hyundai owners will get their letters beginning a week later, and dealers will replace hydraulic electronic control units found to be faulty at no charge.
Stewart did not specify how many of these vehicles are in New Jersey at this time.