Kia recalls about 72K SUVs; electric short can cause fires

DETROIT — Kia is recalling nearly 72,000 SUVs in the U.S. because an electrical short in a computer can cause engine fires.

The recall covers Sportage models from 2008 and 2009.

Kia says in government documents that water containing road salt can get into a braking control computer. That can cause wiring connectors to rust and a circuit board to short, possibly sparking a fire.

The problem was discovered after a 2008 Sportage caught fire while parked in a driveway in April. Government documents say Kia got nine complaints about “thermal events.” No injuries were reported.