Millions of recalled Hyundais and Kias are able to remain on the road despite clear dangers - here's why

Millions of Hyundai and Kia models with alarming fire hazards remain on American roads - despite being recalled more than six months ago.

In September, the two automakers issued a recall of 3.4 million of its US vehicles amidst fears a fault with the anti-lock brake control could cause fires while the vehicles are parked or being driven.

However, most remain unrepaired on the roads, putting owners, their families and potentially others in danger of fires which could spread to garages, houses or other vehicles.

This is in part due to the scale of the recall which is one of the largest they've ever done. Hyundai owns part of Kia but the two companies operate independently.

Both said most of the affected vehicles will not be repaired until June or later - around nine months after the recall was issued.

Millions of Hyundai and Kia models with alarming fire hazards remain on American roads - despite being recalled more than six months ago. Pictured: A 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe

Among them are some of their top-selling models for the 2010 through 2017 years, including Hyundai´s Santa Fe and Elantra and Kia´s Sportage and Forte. Pictured: a Kia Forte

It is not known exactly how many have yet to be repaired but more than 500 complaints have been logged relating to the delays. 

The problem centers around brake fluid leaking onto the circuit boards of antilock braking systems - triggering an electrical short and igniting the fluid.

The companies say they've been unable to obtain enough of the needed parts - fuses that reduce the boards' electrical currents - to fix most of the affected vehicles. 

Among them are some of their top-selling models for the 2010 through 2017 years, including Hyundai´s Santa Fe and Elantra and Kia´s Sportage and Forte.

Hyundai and Kia have urged the vehicles' owners to contact the companies or dealers if they see dashboard warning lights or smell something burning. 

In the meantime, both companies contend that despite the ongoing risks, the cars remain safe to drive.

At the time of the recall, there had been 56 vehicle fires and 'thermal incidents' - including burning, melting and smoking - related to the fault. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

While awaiting repairs, owners of the affected vehicles need to park outside and away from other vehicles to minimize the risks. 

But safety advocates have expressed concerns over the automakers' response to the hazards. 

Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety said: 'They’re putting a Band-Aid on this thing. It looks like it´s a cheap fix instead of repairing the entire antilock brake system.'

It is the latest in a long series of recalls involving engine fires on Hyundai and Kia vehicles that have bedeviled the two Korean automakers since 2015. All told, 13 million of their vehicles have been recalled for engine problems since 2010.

Hyundai and Kia have urged the vehicles' owners to contact the companies or dealers if they see dashboard warning lights or smell something burning. Pictured: Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America

Safety advocates have expressed concerns over the automakers' response to the hazards

Regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) haven´t forced the companies to repair the leaks.

A NHTSA spokeswoman said the agency is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls and 'is working with the automakers to ensure the highest level of safety.'

Hyundai said in a statement: 'To expedite the remedy. We are working closely with multiple suppliers, emphasizing the high priority of the recall, and ensuring quality for the replacement fuses.'

A schedule that Hyundai filed with the government shows that owners won't start receiving letters advising them to take their cars in for repairs until April 22 at the earliest. Most of them won't get the letters until May or June.

 Some owners of the affected Kia vehicles might not be notified until the end of June, documents say.

Kia said the new fuses it´s seeking were developed to prevent fires, 'regardless of what the cause of the electrical short circuit condition may be.' It added it´s working with parts suppliers to accelerate production of the fuses.

Both companies said that besides adding a new fuse, dealers will fix any brake fluid leaks that might be found during inspections. 

If the fluid level drops significantly, Hyundai said, the driver would see a warning light.

Since September, more than 500 owners have filed complaints accusing the automakers of taking an unreasonable amount of time to make repairs, a review of NHTSA records shows. 

Hyundai owns part of Kia but the two companies operate independently

The Hyundai and Kia fires have continued to occur while owners await repairs; at least five complainants have reported engine compartment fires.

Several complainants said they fear driving the vehicles and want NHTSA to force the companies to provide loaner cars or at least speed up the pace of repairs. 

Hyundai told dealers last year that they should provide loaners - at Hyundai's expense - for owners who don't feel safe driving their vehicles. After an inquiry from a reporter, Kia said it, too, would provide loaners.

Both companies said that while fires remain rare, if they do happen, owners would smell smoke or see warning lights on the dashboard. 

But Brooks of the Center for Auto Safety argues that it's irresponsible for the companies to assure owners that the vehicles are safe to drive when they know fires are possible.

'There are a lot of (fire) situations where consumers simply weren't aware," Brooks said. 'That is going to compromise the time they have to escape the vehicle if there's a fire.' 

He urged every owner of a recalled vehicle to seek a loaner car from the companies.