Faulty fuel pipe installation during prior Hyundai-Kia recall prompts new recall of 168,000 vehicles in U.S.

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors are recalling about 170-thousand vehicles in the United States due to fuel leaks which could cause vehicle fires.Choi Si-young reports. South Korea's two biggest automakers -- Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors -- say they are recalling 168-thousand vehicles in the U.S. over fuel leak concerns, which could potentially cause the cars to burst into flames.They said that, during a prior recall in 2017, "a high-pressure fuel pipe may have been improperly installed as part of an engine replacement," which could increase the risk of fire.Hyundai and Kia will also offer software upgrades for three-point-seven million vehicles to protect them from internal damage. The software alerts the driver if there's a problem with the car and automatically reduces the vehicle's speed.They will also provide extended warranties for engine issues affecting their vehicles.In May 2017 -- two months after the initial recall -- the top U.S. auto safety agency opened a formal probe into the recall of nearly one-point-seven million Hyundai and Kia vehicles over engine defects.In November 2018, federal prosecutors in the U.S. launched a criminal investigation into the Korean auto giants to determine if the recalls were conducted properly.The latest U.S. recall applies to about 70-thousand Kia vehicles and one hundred-thousand Hyundai vehicles.Choi Si-young, Arirang News.