Kia recalls Sorento SUVs that may burst into flames 

Irvine, CA – February 2, 2024 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 79,812 2011 Kia Sorento SUVs whose engines may malfunction and catch fire. This augments the risk of injury and property damage. 

The recall comes on the heels of an ongoing U.S. government investigation and is the latest in the ongoing saga of Kia and Hyundai non-crash related fires.

Recall summary  

All SUVs affected by this recall have a Theta II 2.4L gasoline engine, which may catch fire “while driving.” Kia does not explain how and why this occurs.

Recall risks

Vehicle fire greatly increases the risk of injury or property damage.  

Warning signs

In addition to an unusual “engine noise” and an illuminated check engine light, occupants could notice a burning smell and smoke. 

Background of the recall

The recall comes following an ongoing investigation by the U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to determine the adequacy of existing Hyundai and Kia recalls and see if more cars need to be recalled due to non-crash related fires.

The investigation was launched after the agency received more than 100 complaints about vehicles bursting into flames, either while driving or being turned off.

Other Kia recalls

Apart from the said investigation, certain Kia Sorrento SUVs were recently recalled over an issue with their rearview cameras

In addition, these SUVs, alongside many other Kia and Hyundai models, were the subject of a massive fire-related recall that took place in October 2023

The repair

Dealers will replace the engine if necessary. Otherwise, the cars will receive Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, which should detect any abnormal engine operation and take measures to prevent further damage. 

The repair will be free of charge.  

Owners should receive letters with more information on February 9, 2024.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia engine fire recall affects almost 80,000 SUVs. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls Sorento SUVs that may burst into flames 

Kia recalls Sorento SUVs over malfunctioning rearview camera

Irvine, CA  – October 21, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) has issued a recall for 83,667 2019 Sorento SUVs due to an issue with the rearview camera. The camera could fail to display an image while reversing, increasing the likelihood of a crash. 

Recall summary  

In the affected vehicles, water leaking into the rearview camera wiring harness may prevent the camera from showing an image on the dashboard screen. This is caused by a supplier “manufacturing error.”

Recall risks

All risks caused by an inoperable rearview camera are explained in this article about a similar GM recall

Other Kia recalls

The 2019 Kia Sorento was recalled a year ago due to the risk of the tow hitch harness catching on fire.

Earlier model-years of the same vehicle also form part of a massive, 3.4-million vehicle recall, due to the risk of fire when parked and turned off, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the camera if there is water damage or apply additional waterproofing if no issues are found. Kia will reimburse owners who paid for repairs prior to the recall announcement.   

Owners will receive letters with more information on November 13, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 83,000 vehicles are affected by this Kia rearview camera recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloKia recalls Sorento SUVs over malfunctioning rearview camera

Kia and Hyundai recall 3.4 million cars that may burst into flames while parked

Irvine, CA – October 7, 2023 – Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) and its sister company, Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) are recalling approximately 3.4 million vehicles that may catch fire while driving or parked and turned off. This dramatically ups the risk of a crash and injury.

The recalls follow on the back of multiple fires, “melting incidents” and lawsuits dating back to 2017. Some of the cars involved are also subject to an ongoing US government investigation and have already been subject to fire-related recalls in the past. 

Hyundai’s recall affects 1.73 million cars, including the following models: 

  • 2012 – 2015 Hyundai Accent
  • 2012 – 2015 Hyundai Azera 
  • 2011 – 2015 Hyundai Elantra 
  • 2013 – 2015 Hyundai Elantra Coupe
  • 2014 – 2015 Hyundai Equus 
  • 2011 – 2015 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 
  • 2013 – 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2011 – 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
  • 2010 – 2013 Hyundai Tucson
  • 2012 – 2015 Hyundai Veloster
  • 2010 – 2012 Hyundai Veracruz 
  • 2013 Santa Fe Sport
  • 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell 

Kia’s recall affects 1.64 million vehicles, including the following models: 

  • 2010 – 2019 Kia Borrego 
  • 2014 – 2016 Kia Cadenza
  • 2010 – 2013 Kia Forte
  • 2010 – 2013 Kia Forte Koup
  • 2015 – 2018 Kia K900
  • 2011 – 2015 Kia Optima
  • 2011 – 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid
  • 2012 – 2017 Kia Rio
  • 2010 – 2011 Kia Rondo
  • 2011 – 2014 Kia Sorento
  • 2011 – 2013 Kia Soul
  • 2010 – 2013 Kia Sportage 

Recall summary

All listed vehicles are equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which prevents the wheels from locking up in slippery conditions. This is done by the ABS module – or Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), as Kia calls it –  which adjusts the brake force to each wheel. 

In affected vehicles, the ABS module may experience an “electrical short” which may cause it to catch fire. This may happen while driving or when the car is parked and its engine shut off. 

Recall risks

You can find out more about fire-related risks in this article about a November 2022 Kia recall over the same issue.

A 2020 class action lawsuit filed against the manufacturers for ABS fires related to previous recalls describes hair-raising situations involving “the entire garage” catching fire due to an Elantra vehicle combusting into flames and vehicles bursting into flames “after being turned off for hours.”

Warning signs 

The malfunction indicator or the ABS light may come on the dashboard in the event of a fire. The occupants of the car may also notice smoke or a burning smell.

Safety tips

If your car catches fire, please follow the safety tips laid out in this article about a related GM recall

The manufacturer recommends parking the vehicle “outside and away from structures” until the repair has been conducted.

Background of the recalls

The recalls come on the heels of at least six lawsuits, 66 fires and “melting” incidents dating back to 2017. No injuries, fatalities or crashes have been reported.

Some of the affected vehicles are subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation that has been looking into the adequacy of fire-related recalls Kia and Hyundai have conducted so far, as well as the need to recall more vehicles. It is not clear, however, if the present recalls are directly related to this investigation.

The recalls do appear to involve previously recalled vehicles or serve as expansions of recalls conducted for ABS fires in the past.

The repair

Both Kia and Hyundai dealers will remedy the defect by replacing the ABS fuse with one that has a lower amperage rating.

It is possible that your vehicle will need this remedy performed even if it was repaired under a previous fire-related recall.

All repairs will be conducted free of charge.

Kia will notify the owners between November 14, 2023 and November 23, 2023, while Hyundai will do the same on November 21, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This large-scale Hyundai and Kia fire recall affects almost 3.5 million vehicles. To do a Hyundai or Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool

Bojan PopicKia and Hyundai recall 3.4 million cars that may burst into flames while parked

Kia recalls Stinger cars that may stall 

Irvine, CA – October 1, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) has recalled 18,224 20182021 Kia Stinger sedans because they may lose power. This ups the risk of an accident and a subsequent injury. 

The recall comes on the heels of multiple customer complaints.

Recall summary  

The high-pressure fuel pump pressurizes the gasoline coming from the tank and sends it toward the engine. The pressure it generates is controlled by a valve, which in affected vehicles may get stuck open, causing a fuel pressure drop.  If this happens, the engine may not get enough fuel and the car may stall.   

Recall risks

For risks of this recall, please visit this article about a Mercedes-Benz recall due to a similar defect.

Warning signs

A fuel pressure drop might trigger a check engine light on the dashboard.  

Background of the recall

The recall comes after the manufacturer received “two customer complaints… six technical assistance cases…and 77 warranty claims.” No crashes or injuries have been reported.

Other Kia recalls

Kia is being investigated by the U.S. Government over stalling EV6 electric cars

In November of last year, Kia and its sister company Hyundai recalled close to 70,000 cars that may also stall due to fuel pump failure, as reported.

Both companies are also subject to an ongoing government investigation due to continuous fire-related recalls. The last recall in the series occurred just last month.

The repair

Dealers will replace the fuel pump with an upgraded one and will perform a software update free of charge.

Owners should be notified on November 10, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Over 18,000 cars are affected by this Kia fuel pump recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls Stinger cars that may stall 

Kia recalls SUVs whose rearview cameras may fail to show image

Irvine, CA – September 9, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 144,979 SUVs whose rearview cameras may fail to display an image. This reduces visibility when backing up, increasing the chances of a crash.

This recall comes on the back of multiple warranty claims and incidents and includes the following vehicles:  

  • 2022 – 2023 Kia Sorento 
  • 2022 – 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
  • 2022 – 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV

Recall summary  

In the affected SUVs, the brackets that hold the camera in place may break, allowing it to fall out of position. This may result in the rearview camera not working properly.

Recall risks

For risks associated with this recall, please see this article about a similar Honda defect.

Background of the recall

The recall comes on the back of 127 incidents “involving rearview camera loosening and/or falling out of position.” No accidents or injuries have been reported.

Other Kia recalls

Last month, Kia recalled over 50,000 Sorento SUVs because their airbag warning labels may have peeled off

Earlier in August, almost 40,000 Kia SUVs were recalled because they could have caught fire.

Separately, Kia’s electric EV6 cars are currently being investigated by the U.S. government over stalling

The repair

Dealers will replace rearview camera housing with an upgraded version free of charge. 

Owners should receive letters with more information on October 27, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Nearly 150,000 SUVs are affected by this Kia rearview camera recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls SUVs whose rearview cameras may fail to show image

Kia recalls Sorento SUVs over detaching airbag warning labels  

Irvine, CA  – August 27, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) has issued a recall for 50,517 2023 Sorento midsize crossover SUVs, as the airbag warning labels can detach. This increases the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.   

Recall summary  

Vehicles are required by law to carry airbag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors. In the affected vehicles, the labels were applied improperly, causing them to peel away under normal use.

Recall risks

The driver “may not be warned of the risks of airbag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.”

Other Kia recalls

In November 2022, there was a recall that included earlier model-year Kia Sorento vehicles due to the risk of stall while driving.

Separately, millions of Kia and Hyundai are subject to recalls – as well as a U.S. government investigation – due to non-crash related fires.

Just earlier this month, Kia issued a recall for 40,000 vehicles including the 2023 Soul, 2023 Sportage and 2023–2024 Seltos due to that risk, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger sun visors on the affected vehicles, replacing them as necessary free of charge.

Owners should be notified by October 10, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 50,000 vehicles are affected by this Kia airbag warning label recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloKia recalls Sorento SUVs over detaching airbag warning labels  

Kia recalls 40,000 SUVs over fire risk  

Irvine, CA – August 12, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 39,765 SUVs because they may catch fire while driving or parked. This ups the risk of a crash, injury and property damage. 

This is the latest in an ongoing string of Kia and Hyundai fire-related recalls. The affected vehicles include:

  • 2023 Kia Soul
  • 2023 Kia Sportage
  • 2023 – 2024 Kia Seltos

Recall summary  

The vehicles above are equipped with the Idle, Stop and Go (ISG) system which includes an oil pump and a circuit board and shuts down the engine when the car is stationary “to maximize fuel efficiency.” While the engine is off, the oil pump ensures that transmission, brakes and power steering can remain operational.

In the affected vehicles, the circuit board may develop a short, consequently overheating and potentially leading to a vehicle fire.

Recall risks

You can find out all about the risks posed by vehicle fires in this article about another Kia fire recall.

Warning signs 

The defect could trigger multiple warning lights, including those regarding electric power steering, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Auto Hold, Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). Other than that, the IGS may fail to operate, sending the vehicle into a limp-home mode, which may be hard to turn off. Lastly, the driver could also notice smoke coming from the engine bay. 

Safety tips 

Kia advises owners to “park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repair has been performed.”

Here are also the things you should do if the car does catch on fire.

Other Kia recalls

Apart from this issue, some of these vehicles may have been affected by a power brake assistance recall that happened in July 2023

Moreover, Kia and its sister company Hyundai are being investigated by the U.S government on the back of multiple and continuous fire-related recalls. The last recall in the series occurred in August of last year and affected over 280,000 of Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade cars, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the electric oil pump and the circuit board free of charge. 

Owners should be notified on September 28, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 40,000 vehicles are affected by this Kia fire recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls 40,000 SUVs over fire risk  

US government investigates stalling Kia EV6 electric vehicles

Washington, D.C. July 16, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating Kia (OTCMKTS: KIMTF) over an allegation its 2022 Kia EV6 electric cars may lose motive power or even experience a “complete electric failure,” upping the risk of a crash and injury. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect around 20,000 cars. 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on July 3, 2023, following 11 complaints of cars losing power. In at least some cases, the cars could not be restarted and had to be towed.

Upon inspection, dealers found that there was a “strong correlation” between the power loss and the failure of the integrated control charging unit (ICCU).  

What is an integrated control charging unit?

The integrated control charging unit is an electric “charger” that powers up both the high-voltage battery used to drive the electric motor and the low-voltage battery, which provides 12-volt electricity for the rest of the car’s systems.  

Based on the initial findings, an excessive current may damage ICCU’s circuit board, preventing the low-voltage battery from being charged. This ultimately shuts down the systems using it as a power supply, making the vehicle inoperable.  

Risks

Without sufficient power being delivered to the wheels, the driver may have difficulties maneuvering the vehicle into a safe spot. This dramatically increases the risk of a crash.

“Unnerving” experiences

In fact, one driver described an “unnerving” experience when the car suddenly decelerated to 22 miles per hour (mph) from 40 mph “during rush hour on a secondary road with a limited shoulder.”

Drivers also reported their cars being stuck at dealerships for weeks after they “could no longer be driven.”  Some drivers have been told that the part was “on national backorder.”

Warning signs

Before the power loss, some drivers observed “Stop the vehicle and check power supply” and “Check electrical vehicle system” warning messages pop up on the instrument cluster.  In addition, one driver stated there was a “loud pop from the rear passenger side of the vehicle”  just before the message appeared. 

Other Kia recalls

Earlier this month, Kia recalled nearly 100,000 Sportage SUVs because their brake boosters may fail to activate

Some of the Kia EV6 cars mentioned here may have been affected by a recall caused by the risk of a rollaway, which took place in May 2022

In addition, both Kia and Hyundai are subject to a separate U.S. government investigation for non-crash related fires, as reported.

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a Kia loss of power recall, potentially affecting almost 20,000 electric cars. To do a Kia recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates stalling Kia EV6 electric vehicles

Kia recalls SUVs for loss of brake boost assist

Irvine, CA – July 2, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF), is recalling 98,944 2023 Kia Sportage SUVs because their power brake assistance may fail. This would make the vehicles harder to stop, upping the risk of a crash and injury. The recall comes on the heels of multiple customer complaints.

Recall summary  

The power braking in the listed vehicles is done by a brake booster. In the SUVs affected by this recall the brake booster may develop an internal leak reducing its stopping power. 

Recall risks

The defect increases stopping distance, which augments the risk of a crash and injury. 

Background of the recall  

The recall comes on the back of at least 73 customer complaints about the issue. No injuries or crashes have been reported.

Warning signs

The loss of brake boost assist “can result in hard pedal feel and increased effort during pedal application.

Other Kia recalls

In April 2023, Kia recalled minivans over a sliding door issue, as reported.

In February 2023, a batch of Telluride midsize SUVs was recalled because their airbags would fail to deploy.

Separately, millions of Kia and Hyundai cars are subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation due to multiple instances of car fires, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the brake boosters free of charge. 

Owners should be notified on July 21, 2023. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Almost 100,000 UVs are affected by this Kia brake booster recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls SUVs for loss of brake boost assist

Kia recalls Carnival minivans with faulty doors following US government investigation

Irvine, CA  – April 22, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 51,568 2022 – 2023 Kia Carnival minivans because their power sliding doors could trap and injure the occupants of the car. This recall comes on the back of a U.S. government investigation and multiple injuries related to the defect.

Recall summary  

The listed vehicles have sliding rear doors, which are opened and closed by an electric motor. To prevent them from potentially injuring occupants, this system also has a so-called auto-reverse function whose job is to back up the closing door if it detects any obstacles. 

The feature does not work as intended, upping the risk of the car occupants getting injured.

Recall risks

Nine people have been injured as a result of this defect, according to the information provided by the manufacturer to the auto safety regulator in charge of this recall. 

Other Kia recalls

In February 2023, Kia recently recalled Telluride SUVs over an airbag issue

As for previous Kia Carnival recalls, the one from December 2021 – also caused by sliding-door issues – is the most recent

Background of the recall

The recall comes on the back of an investigation conducted by the U.S. government’s auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in April of last year. The investigation was kicked off after the regulator received several complaints alleging that “excessive force” was required to close the doors once they got stuck.

The repair

Dealers will update the vehicle’s power sliding door control module with an upgraded software version that gives the driver “two warning chimes” when it starts to close. The repairs are free of charge. 

Owners should have been notified starting April 28, 2023.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 50,000 cars are affected by this Kia sliding door recall. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicKia recalls Carnival minivans with faulty doors following US government investigation