Kia recalls more than 20,000 vehicles due to risk of fire

Kia recalls more than 20,000 vehicles due to risk of fire

August 13, 2021 Bojan Popic

Irvine, CA – August 13, 2021 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 21,575 cars with 2.5 liter-turbocharged engines which may develop a fuel leak in the fuel pump system. This may cause a fire, which increases the risk of injury and a crash. Vehicles involved in this recall include:

  • 2021 Kia Sorento
  • 2021 Kia K5
  • 2022 Kia K5

This is the latest in a series of Kia and Hyundai recalls due to fire risk. The component in question is the high pressure pipe (Kia fuel rail) with part number 35305-2S200.

Recall summary  

Vehicles that are part of this recall receive fuel through a so-called direct injection system. This is a popular type of a fuel injection system that delivers gasoline directly into the engine allowing for greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Gasoline is transported to the engine via the fuel pump connected with a series of metal pipes called fuel rails. In affected vehicles, one or more pipes may not have been tightened during the assembly or may be out of shape due to a manufacturing error. In both cases, pressurized fuel may escape and spray on the engine and other nearby components.    

Risks

Fuel that sprays onto hot components in the engine compartment can easily ignite and cause a vehicle fire. This increases the risk of a crash, as flames and smoke may distract drivers and cause them to panic. Another risk is the inability to stop and leave the vehicle in time, which may lead to injury. 

Warning signs

A fuel leak would result in a strong gasoline, smoke and/or melting odor inside the car. In addition, the vehicle may display a malfunction indicator light (MIL) on the dashboard. 

Other Kia and Kia Sorento recalls

This recall is another in a series of ongoing fire-related issues Kia vehicles are experiencing lately, including one caused by a leaking ABS module.

The 2022 Kia Sorento is not subject to any recalls. At the same time, 2014 and 2015 Sorento were recalled last summer due to a brake fluid leak which can lead to a fire, as reported.

The repair

Affected pipes will be checked for fuel leaks and then replaced or simply tightened as necessary.  Owners should have been notified on July 21, 2021.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia Recall includes more than 20,000 Sorento and K5 vehicles. To perform a Kia recall check, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls more than 20,000 vehicles due to risk of fire
GM recalls vehicles due to risk of overloading

GM recalls vehicles due to risk of overloading

August 12, 2021 Mikaela Bolker ,

Warren, MI – August 12, 2021  – General Motors (NYSE: GM) has announced a recall for 7,199 2021 GMC Canyon pickup trucks due to an incorrect label which may cause the driver to add too much weight to the truck, increasing the risk of a crash.

The component in question is a “Tire and Loading Information Label,” with the part number 15261447.

Recall summary 

As reported, the tire and loading information label states “the maximum amount of weight the driver can safely add to the truck as cargo.”  The GMC Canyon load capacity label incorrectly overstated the weight capacity by 51 lbs.

Risks

Overloading the pickup truck can cause significant changes to the “driving dynamics” of the vehicle, which may result in a crash. In another similar recall, the issue was also expected to increase the vehicle’s stopping distance.

Other GM recalls

In July 2021, there was a GMC recall for 285,622 vehicles over a concern that the airbag malfunction indicator may fail to warn the driver if there is a problem with the airbag.   

The GMC Canyon 2015 was recalled in April 2021 when 60,678 pickup trucks may lose power steering on “startup or while driving.” 

The GMC Canyon 2021 pickup truck was recalled in December of last year because of faulty seat belts.

Repair

The repair is a modified label that provides the correct vehicle capacity weight.  The manufacturer will mail the labels to the owners, which they can apply themselves or take them to the dealership, if desired. The remedy is free of charge and owner notification letter are set to be sent on August 16, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall? 

Over 7,000 vehicles are part of this General Motors recall. To do a GM recall check, use Motorsafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Mikaela BolkerGM recalls vehicles due to risk of overloading
Stellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk

Stellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk

August 7, 2021 Vishal Venugopal

Auburn Hills, MI – August 7, 2021 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), the parent company of the Ram brand, has issued a recall for 32,002 Ram trucks over an oil level monitoring issue that could result in an engine fire. The affected models include:

  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 3500
  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 4500
  • 2019 – 2020 Ram 5500

The Chrysler recall affects Ram trucks with a Cummins 6.7L High Output engine with multiple part numbers. 

Recall summary

Because of a software issue, drivers may not be warned of low engine oil levels. This can result in oil levels falling below an acceptable level, “deteriorating” important mechanical parts called bearings and increasing the risk of a punctured engine block or an oil leak, both of which can result in a fire.

Risks

Fires are very dangerous. For more information, please see a recent article on a Kia Optima and Kia Sorento recall caused by fire risk.

Warning signs

The manufacturer says that before the engine catches fire, the driver may hear an unusual noise from the engine. As reported, there are some additional warning signs, including:

  • Tire pressure, ABS or the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) warning lights come on
  • A burning or melting odor
  • Smoke from under the hood

Fire safety tips

If you suspect your engine may be on fire, remain calm and follow these steps:

  • Bring your car to a halt
  • Do not open the hood –  oxygen will feed the flames 
  • Get yourself and others away from the vehicle
  • Call the fire department when you are in a secure location

Other Stellantis news

Back in August 2020, the same models were part of a Ram recall over a similar concern, with 32,318 Ram pickups affected.

The company also recently issued a Ram truck recall over a concern that wheels may come off while driving.

The repair

The engine calibration software on the affected vehicles will be updated, free of charge. Owners will be notified by the company by July 30, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 32,000 Ram trucks are part of this recall. As of July 20, 2021, over 6,000 trucks have been repaired. To see if your vehicle still needs to be fixed, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalStellantis recalls multiple RAM truck models over engine fire risk
General Motors recalls multiple SUVs over power steering failure

General Motors recalls multiple SUVs over power steering failure

August 3, 2021 Vishal Venugopal , ,

Warren, MI – August 3, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has issued a recall for 26,847 SUVs over a potential loss in power steering assist, which could increase steering effort and result in a crash. This GM recall includes:

  • 2021 Cadillac Escalade
  • 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
  • 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
  • 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
  • 2021 GMC Yukon
  • 2021 GMC Yukon XL

The affected part is the power steering motor control module with multiple part numbers – 84893520, 84876238, 84846488.

Recall summary

The power steering assist makes it easier to steer a vehicle. A software issue in the power steering control module may result in the loss of the feature, increasing the effort needed to steer and the risk of a crash. 

An affected vehicle will still have manual steering control. 

Warning signs

Drivers will be warned of a loss in power steering functionality by a malfunction indicator light (MIL) on the dashboard and with a chime sound.  More effort will also be required to steer but the issue may be remedied if the car is restarted.

Risks

Losing the power steering can make maneuvering quite difficult, particularly with larger vehicles, like the ones that are a part of this recall. The effort required is greater at slower speeds and increases the risk of the driver losing control and crashing.

Related complaints

Back in May, a 2021 GMC Yukon owner experienced a similar loss in power steering functionality.  

Other GM recalls

Another recent Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac recall was for a failing airbag malfunction warning light.

The repair

The software issue can be resolved with an over-the-air (OTA) update without having to bring the vehicle to a dealership. The owner can also schedule to have the dealer perform the update. Some vehicles will require a new steering gear motor kit in order to download the software update, in which case the car will have to visit the dealer. In all cases the repair will be free of charge. Affected customers were set to be notified on August 2, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this GM recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalGeneral Motors recalls multiple SUVs over power steering failure
Ford tells owners not to drive F-series pickups with wheels that may fall off

Ford tells owners not to drive F-series pickups with wheels that may fall off

August 2, 2021 Rebecca Rand

Dearborn, MI – August 2, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 17,616 pickup trucks with potentially loose wheel hub extenders that may cause the wheel to fall off of the car. This defect is serious enough where Ford is telling owners NOT TO DRIVE the car, even to the dealership.

It includes the following vehicles:

  • 2021 Ford F350 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F450 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F550 SD pickups
  • 2021 Ford F600 SD pickups

Recall summary 

The recall concerns the front wheel hub extender, which extends the size of the wheel hub on pickups with wide front body axles and dual rear wheels. The extenders – that are typically used for aesthetic purposes or to provide more stability while driving – may not be screwed in all the way.

Background of the recall

The Michigan factory where the trucks’ axles were assembled has an “automated torque station” that checks to make sure everything is screwed in properly. Ford believes the recalled trucks must have bypassed this checkpoint and estimates that 80% of the recalled trucks have loose hub extenders.

Risks

This defect puts the wheel hub extenders and the wheels at risk of detaching from the truck, greatly increasing the risk of a crash. Ford has received two reports of wheels falling off trucks as a result of this flaw. Neither resulted in an accident or injuries.

Detached wheels not only put the driver at risk of losing control, but the tires themselves become a dangerous, fast-moving road hazard that could cause other cars to crash.

Warning signs

According to the manufacturer, drivers might, while driving, experience vibration and noise, as the nuts loosen.

The repair

The risks posed by this defect are high enough that Ford is telling owners NOT to drive their recalled car — not even to the dealership. Dealers have been told to send someone out to fix the car, and if this is not possible, to tow the car to the dealership. The dealer will check that the hub extenders are screwed in properly. If the hub extenders are loose, the dealer will tighten them. This inspection and repair, including necessary towing services, will be offered free of charge.

Owner notifications and instructions

Ford mailed notifications to owners in mid-June. The notifications include instructions for car-savvy owners on how to perform the inspection/repair themselves.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 17,000 vehicles are included in this Ford recall. Check your truck for Ford recalls using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandFord tells owners not to drive F-series pickups with wheels that may fall off
Nissan recalls almost 140,000 Sentras for possible loss of steering

Nissan recalls almost 140,000 Sentras for possible loss of steering

August 1, 2021 Bojan Popic

Franklin, TN – August 01, 2021 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has recalled 138,736 vehicles with an issue that may result in a loss of steering and increase the risk of a crash or injury. This recall includes: 

  • 2020 Nissan Sentra
  • 2021 Nissan Sentra

The affected component is  the “inner tie rod” with part number D8521-6LB0A.

Recall summary  

A tie rod is part of the steering mechanism that connects the steering wheel to the wheels.

On vehicles that are part of this recall, both left and right tie rods may have been damaged during manufacture, making them less sturdy.  As a result, these tie rods may bend or even break apart when going over bumps and other obstacles.  

Warning signs

Depending on how severe the damage is, bent tie rods may cause the steering wheel to be “off-center” and vibrate at certain speeds. In addition, a broken tie rod would cause a significant decrease in steering response and control.

Risks

A reduction in steering response makes the vehicle less stable and responsive, which increases the chance of a crash or injury. This risk is as severe to the driver and its passengers as it is to other motorists and pedestrians. 

Safety tips

Driving with any of the symptoms that indicate an issue with the steering system is extremely unsafe. If such a situation arises, you should get your vehicle towed by an authorized towing service.

Other Nissan recalls

Nissan had recently recalled certain Nissan Murano 2020 crossover SUVs that had faulty control arms. In addition, there was a Nissan Sentra recall earlier this year for faulty brake lights.   

The 2020 Sentra is not subject to any other recalls.

The repair

To fix the issue, Nissan dealers will check both left and right tie rods  and replace them if they are bent. The repair is free of charge. Notifications will be sent to owners around August 05, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Nissan recall includes almost 140,000 of their sedan vehicles. To check for this and other Nissan recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicNissan recalls almost 140,000 Sentras for possible loss of steering
Recall Lookup
Enter your vehicle(s) below to check the current recall status.

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories