WASHINGTON, D.C. -

Hyundai and Kia are recalling close to 2 million vehicles in three separate campaigns, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

More than half of that figure — 1,059,824 vehicles to be exact — are connected with Hyundai’s recall of seven different models because the stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. Included in the campaign are:

—2007–2009 Accent and Tucson
—2007–2010 Elantra
—2007–2011 Santa Fe
—2008–2009 Veracruz
—2010–2011 Genesis Coupe
—2011 Sonata vehicles.

NHTSA explained a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal.

Additionally, the agency said a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the park position and cause the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

“Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash,” NHTSA said.

Hyundai told the agency it will notify owners, and franchised dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall will begin by June.

In the meantime, owners can contact Hyundai at (800) 633-5151 and mention recall campaign No. 110.

The other recall associated with Hyundai units is considerably smaller — a total of 186,254 vehicles — according to NHTSA.

Hyundai is seeking Elantra vehicles from the 2011 through 2013 model-years manufactured from Nov, 12, 2010 through March 5. Officials said a support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.

“If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury,” NHTSA said.

The agency indicated Hyundai will notify owners, and franchised dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. A remedy is expected to be available in May.

Again, owners can contact Hyundai at (800) 633-5151, but this time reference recall campaign No. 109.

Finally, the remainder of the recalled units from the South Korean automakers — a total of 623,658 vehicles — are Kia models.

Just like the larger Hyundai recall, Kia’s campaign is because the stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. Included in the recall are:

—2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage
—2007-2011 Sorento
—2007 Sedona
—2010-2011 Soul
—2011 Optima

As when it explained the Hyundai issue, NHTSA said when noting the recalled Kia models that a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal.

And additionally, the agency said a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature in the Kia units, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the park position and causing the electronic stability control malfunction light to illuminate.

NHTSA indicated that Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May.

“When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge,” officials said.

Owners can contact Kia at (800) 333-4542 and reference recall campaign No. SC098.

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