Vehicles Affected: Approximately 72,000 model-year 2008-09 Kia Sportage SUVs manufactured between Aug. 9, 2007, and May 13, 2009
The Problem: The wire harness cover on the hydraulic electronic control unit may be improperly sealed, allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board. If the water contains salt, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and short circuit the circuit board, increasing the risk of an engine fire.
The Fix: Dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion and, if detected, replace the HECU assembly for free. If no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced.
Patrick Masterson is Chief Copy Editor at Cars.com. He joined the automotive industry in 2016 as a lifelong car enthusiast and has achieved the rare feat of applying his journalism and media arts degrees as a writer, fact-checker, proofreader and editor his entire professional career. He lives by an in-house version of the AP stylebook and knows where semicolons can go.