Kia Recalls | Page 5 | MotorSafety.org

Kia recalls five models over defective airbags

February 5, 2022 Joseph Estabillo Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – February 5, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 410,619 units spanning various models over faulty airbags that may fail to inflate in case of a crash, putting the occupants of the car at the risk of injury.

The Kia airbag recall involves the following models:

2017 – 2019 Kia Soul
2017 – 2019 Kia Sedona
2017 – 2019 Kia Soul EV
2017 – 2018 Kia Forte
2017 Kia Forte Koup

Recall summary

These models use airbags that cushion occupants’ heads and prevent them from hitting the vehicle’s interior during a crash. The airbags are regulated by a computer called the airbag control unit (ACU), which is protected by a cover.

Manufacturing defects can cause this cover to make contact with – and possibly damage – the electronics responsible for controlling the airbags. When this happens, the airbags may become deactivated and not work in the event of a crash.

The component involved in this recall is the “Airbag Module Assembly” with multiple part numbers, including 95910-B2050 and 95910-B2600.

Recall risks

Faulty airbags expose the vehicle’s occupants to a higher risk of serious injury during a crash.

Warning signs

If the airbags are deactivated, the airbag warning light will come on the dashboard.

Other Kia recalls

There was a Kia Forte recall in September because of faulty trunk latches, which in rare cases if someone is stuck inside may prevent that person from opening the trunk.

In addition to that, earlier model-years of the same car – as well as close to 3 million of other Hyundai and Kia cars – are being investigated to see if the manufacturers will be required to issue new recalls for these cars based on an increased risk of fire. Kia and Hyundai have been in the crosshairs of the U.S. auto safety regulator for the past couple of years because of their vehicles catching fire, sometimes for unknown reasons, as reported.

The repair

If the airbag warning light is on, the ACU will be replaced with an improved one. If the ABWL is not on, an update to the airbag’s software will be installed. Both measures will ensure that the airbags inflate during a crash to protect occupants.

All repairs will be done free of charge and owners who already paid out of pocket will be reimbursed. Notifications with more information will be sent March 21 and March 25, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 400,000 vehicles are being recalled because of this Kia airbag issue. To do a Kia recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Hyundai and Kia may need to recall more vehicles that may catch fire

January 30, 2022 Rebecca Rand Hyundai Recalls, Kia Recalls

Washington, D.C. – January 30, 2022 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is looking into whether Hyundai (OTCMKTS:HYMTF) and Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) will need to recall additional vehicles that may be prone to catching fire and whether remedies for the recalls both manufacturers have already issued are adequate to lower the risk of fire. Both companies have already issued various recalls for vehicles catching fire, sometimes for unknown reasons.

This latest development is part of an ongoing probe into the situation that affects an estimated 3 million vehicles. A partial list of the vehicles is below:

2013 Hyundai Elantra
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
2017 Hyundai Tucson
2013 – 2014 Santa Fe Sport
2011 – 2014 Hyundai Sonata
2011 – 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
2016 – 2017 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
2015 – 2016 Hyundai Veloster
2012 – 2015 Kia Forte

Summary

On December 21, the regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened this probe – called an engineering analysis – on the heels of “161 fires potentially due to engine failures,” which resulted in three injuries.

Out of the complaints submitted, 125 were about vehicles that were not previously included in any fire-related recalls, while the rest was about cars that have already been repaired under one of the eight recalls that have so far been issued due to the risk of these vehicles catching fire.

The full list of vehicles being investigated is available here. Hyundai owns 33.8% of Kia.

‘Caught fire while parked and turned off’

Some of the cars previously not included in a fire-related recall are the 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 2011 Kia Sorento and 2012-2015 Kia Rio with as many as 550,000 of them potentially subject to recalls.

In one of the related complaints, the driver alleges that his or her car caught fire while turned off in a parking lot of a restaurant. Witnesses mentioned hearing “electrical sparks” before the fire. The driver did not have insurance that would cover the loss of his or her “only mode of transportation.”

In another situation, a 2013 Elantra with only “8-12 miles on it” was “fully engulfed” after minutes of catching fire for unknown reasons. A third driver lost his or her brakes but did not receive any additional warnings before seeing smoke coming out from the back of the car while out on the highway.

Potential inadequate remedies

Over 35 complaints are about cars that received recall repairs, but still ended up having engine issues. The following recalls may need to be “re-done” with a new repair:

Background of the investigation

Hyundai and Kia have been under the scrutiny of the U.S. government since 2017 when NHTSA opened queries regarding Theta II engine recalls that contained various “inaccuracies” in the associated reports. Both manufacturers were found liable and paid hefty penalties – $70 million for Kia and $140 million for Hyundai – and were required to take a host of safety-related measures to ensure that these omissions would not happen in the future.

In 2019, NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate claims of “non-crash fires,” which resulted in multiple recalls. The investigation has now been upgraded to this engineering analysis, which typically takes a year and may result in additional recalls.

Will your vehicle be part of a new recall?

No new recalls have been announced as of the publication of this article, but future Hyundai engine recalls and Kia engine recalls may be coming. To do a Kia recall check or a Hyundai recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. All repairs will be done free of charge.

Kia recalls new Carnival minivans with faulty sliding doors

December 19, 2021 Aleksandra Snesareva Kia Recalls

Portland, OR – December 19, 2021 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 2,956 2022 Kia Carnival minivans with sliding door issues that result in an open door while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to the passenger.

Recall summary

Due to faulty parts inside the sliding passenger-side door, the latch may become “stuck in the open position.” The door may then open while the vehicle is moving.

The component in question is the “Remote Controller Assembly” with part number 814C2-R0100.

Recall risks

Driving with an open door increases the risk of the passenger falling out of the vehicle, especially at high speeds.

Warning signs

The driver will hear “four audible alert chimes” and will see the “the door-ajar warning” illuminate in the instrument panel even if the car is not moving. If the driver ignores the warnings and starts driving at speeds higher than 6 mph, he or she will hear “continuous” additional chimes and will see the warning in the instrument cluster, along with a “flashing red graphic.”

Other Kia recalls

This model-year is subject to an April recall because of fire risk caused by a fuel leak.

Certain Kia vehicles have been long-plagued by the so-called “non-collision” fires, which are subject to an ongoing U.S. government investigation, as reported. In fact, in November, the manufacturer recalled over 10,000 Kia Optima Hybrid and Optima PHEV sedans that may catch fire as a result of premature engine wear.

The repair

Dealers will replace two parts in the remote control assembly to ensure that the door closes properly. The repairs will be done free of charge and owners who paid for their own repairs will be reimbursed.

Notifications about the repair were sent to vehicle owners on December 16, 2021.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia Carnival recall includes more than 2,500 vehicles. To do a Kia recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia recalls vehicles over risk of engine fire

November 21, 2021 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – January 31, 2022 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is currently conducting an investigation to see if the remedy offered in this recall was adequate. Please bookmark this page and come back for any updates. You can find more information about why this is happening here or use our free vehicle lookup tool to see if your car is part of a recall.

Irvine, CA – November 21, 2021 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS: KIMTF) is recalling 10,731 cars whose engines may stall or catch fire as a result of premature wear, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

This recall is the newest addition to the long list of fire-related issues that have been plaguing Kia.

Vehicles that are affected by this recall include:

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid
2018 Kia Optima Hybrid
2017 Kia Optima PHEV
2018 Kia Optima PHEV

Recall summary

Connecting rod bearings are designed to cut down on the friction between engine parts.

In the affected vehicles, these bearings may suffer from premature wear, which may cause the engine to stall while driving. In addition, the connecting rod can snap and pierce the engine, which may cause an oil leak and result in a fire.

Background of the recall

This recall is very similar to a recall conducted by Hyundai last year for the same reason. At least six fires have been reported leading up to this recall.

The reasons behind this and other Kia fire-related recalls are not clear. The affected component is the “engine assembly sub” with part number 189N12EH00.

Recall risks

As reported, stalling can lead to dangerous situations, especially if it happens in high-speed traffic.

A fire inside the engine compartment that occurs while driving has a wide range of potential hazards. For more information, please visit this article.

Warning signs

Warning signs that may alert the driver include vibrations and metallic rattling coming from the engine. In most cases, the “ oil pressure” warning light on the dashboard will be illuminated. If that happens, the driver should stop the vehicle in the first safe spot and turn off the engine to prevent any further damage.

Other Kia Optima recalls

This recall is one of the eight recalls that came about as a result of an ongoing U.S. government investigation into the reasons behind “non-collision” collision fires that keep affecting Kia vehicles. Other recalls related to this issue include a June recall affecting Kia Optima and Kia Sorento vehicles and one in December of last year affecting Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento and Kia Soul vehicles.

The last 2018 Kia Optima recall was conducted in 2018 due to a risk of stalling while driving.

The repair

As a part of the repair, dealers will inspect the condition of rod bearings. If there are signs of wear, the whole engine will be replaced. Additionally, updated control software that would detect if engines start producing any unusual vibrations will be installed. After the software installation, the warranty for engine block assembly repairs will be extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

All repairs are free.

Notifications about the repair will be sent to vehicle owners on November 29, 2021.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Kia Optima Hybrid engine recall includes more than 10,000 vehicles. To do a Kia recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia Sedona recalled for opposite flashing turn signal

November 7, 2021 Vishal Venugopal Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – November 7, 2021 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 88,576 units of the Kia Sedona minivans with faulty turn signals that may flash in the opposite direction. This can result in a collision. Model years involved in this recall include:

2015 Kia Sedona
2016 Kia Sedona
2017 Kia Sedona

The affected component is the “Smart Junction Box” (SJB) with multiple part numbers starting with 91950.

Recall summary

This Kia Sedona minivan recall addresses faulty software that incorrectly interprets which turn signal to activate.

There have been no reports of crashes or injuries stemming from the problem.

Warning signs

I n an affected vehicle, the unintended turn signal direction will illuminate on the instrument cluster, notifying the driver of the faulty indication.

Recall risks

An inoperable or incorrect turn signal can confuse drivers and pedestrians around you, increasing the risk of an accident.

Other Kia and Hyundai recalls

Hyundai Sonata vehicles were also recalled earlier this week over turn signal problems.

The 2020 Kia Sedona was recalled last month to address a potential fire hazard caused by a loose nut on the alternator.

The last 2016 Kia Sedona recall was conducted in 2019 because of a faulty “occupant detection harness.” The harness may break and fail to detect that there is a child in the front seat in the event of a crash. This may lead to the airbags being deployed and result in an injury to the child.

The repair

Dealers will update the software on the junction box to resolve the issue. Kia will notify affected owners on November 12, 2021 and will reimburse any repair expenses incurred prior to the recall.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Over 88,000 vehicles are included in this Kia recall. To do a Kia recall check, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia recalls vehicles with faulty trunk latches

September 1, 2021 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – September 1, 2021 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 253,074 cars with truck latches whose interior emergency release may become faulty. This prevents the person inside the trunk from opening the trunk gate, which increases the risk of injury. Vehicles involved in this recall include:

2016 – 2018 Kia Forte
2018 – 2019 Kia Rio

Recall summary

On vehicles that are affected by this recall, including a 2017 Kia Rio, trunk latch may not be opened from the inside using the interior emergency release. This happens because of the damage to the internal components of the trunk latch which is caused by high temperature.

The affected components installed in Kia Forte have part numbers 81230-A7010 or 81230-A7030, while those in Kia Rio have part numbers 81230-H9011 and 81230-H9031.

Risks

A faulty trunk release would prevent the person closed inside the trunk from getting out of it, increasing the risk of injury or even death.

Warning signs

Owners may notice that the trunk sometimes fails to open or close.

Other Kia vehicle recalls

Among previous Kia Forte recalls, one that covers potential issues with the oil pump that may cause engine damage is the most recent.

There are no other Kia Rio recalls associated with the 2018 or 2019 model years.

As reported, thousands of Kia and Hyundai cars – including 2012-2015 Kia Forte sedans – have been subject to ongoing recalls due to fire risk.

The repair

Kia authorized dealers will replace the affected trunk latch assemblies with improved ones. Owners should receive their notifications by mail around October 5, 2021.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This trunk latch recall includes more than 250,000 vehicles. To check if yours is part of this recall, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia recalls vehicles with faulty instrument clusters

September 1, 2021 Mikaela Bolker Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – September 1, 2021 – Kia (NASDAQ:KIMTF) has announced a recall for 5,143 vehicles due to a blank instrument cluster on startup, which augments the risk of a crash or an injury.

This recall is for 2022 Kia Telluride SUVs.

The component in question is the “Instrument Cluster Assembly,” with the part numbers 94001-S9500 and 94001-S9510.

Recall summary

The Kia Telluride LCD monitor displays various important instrumentation to the driver, including the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator, and odometer. Under certain conditions, the current software cannot load the large file required on startup for the welcome message, so the screen remains blank.

Risks

A blank LCD display may be missing important instrumentation, such as the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator, and odometer. A lack of access to this information may heighten the risk of a crash.

Other Kia recalls

There are no other 2022 Kia Telluride recalls at the moment. In July 2020, Kia issued another Telluride recall for 86,921 2020 Kia vehicles due to faulty brake lights.

Thousands of various Kia and Hyundai models – including Kia Optima, Soreno and Soul– have also been subject to a series of recalls due to the risk of fire. The recalls have had different causes ranging from brake fuel leaks to internal damage.

Repair

The repair is a free update of the software that controls the Kia Telluride screen. Owners will be notified via letter starting August 3, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Approximately 5,143 vehicles are part of this Kia Telluride recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

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

August 13, 2021 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

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.

Kia recalls more than 440,000 vehicles over risk of fire

June 11, 2021 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – June 11, 2021 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 440,370 cars for a possible brake fluid leak, which may result in a short circuit and cause a fire. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. The affected component is the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU), with several part numbers that start with 58920.

The recall supersedes a 2020 recall that encompassed the same model years and is a result of an ongoing investigation that has so far resulted in seven recalls.

This Kia recall includes the following sedans and SUVs:

2013 Kia Optima
2014 Kia Optima
2015 Kia Optima
2014 Kia Sorento
2015 Kia Sorento

Recall summary

The anti-lock brake system, or ABS, is a safety system that adjusts the braking force to each wheel, to “prevent them from locking up when braking.” This gives the driver better control over the vehicle when having to stop quickly, especially in less-than-ideal road conditions. As a result of a supplier error, brake fluid may leak into the HECU, which is part of the ABS module, and cause the electronic circuitry inside it to short out, which may result in an engine fire.

The fire may occur “while parked or driving,” according to Kia.

Previous recall

This recall supersedes the previous recall that was conducted in 2020 for the same model years because of an enhanced remedy that was developed by Kia subsequent to the start of the previous recall.

It is also a result of an ongoing investigation launched in 2019 by auto safety regulator, the National Highway Safety Administration, into “non-collision related fires on model year…2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles,” which now also includes the 2011-2015 Kia Soul cars.

The investigation has so far resulted in seven recalls, including the December for almost 300,000 Kia vehicles that may catch fire.

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to the electrical short by the malfunction indicator light (MIL) or the ABS warning light. Other warning signs include a burning smell and smoke coming from underneath the hood.

Risks

A fire that occurs while driving is a serious safety concern with a wide range of potential hazards. Besides increasing the risk of collision and posing a threat to other drivers, it may not be possible to stop and evacuate the vehicle in time, which may result in injury or death. There is also a risk of property damage, as the burning vehicle may damage surrounding structures and vehicles.

Safety tips

Until the vehicle is repaired, it is important to park it outside, away from other vehicles and structures. This will prevent additional property damage in the event of fire when the vehicle is stationary.

In case a fire breaks out while driving, the driver and all occupants should follow these steps to get themselves to safety quickly.

Other 2015 Kia Optima recalls

Apart from this recall, the 2015 Kia Optima and 2015 Kia Sorento were among the cars recalled in December 2018 due to fire risk because of a fuel leak. The cars involved in that recall previously received a new engine.

Other 2015 Kia Sorento recalls

Please see above.

The repair

As a part of the repair, dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it with an updated unit if a brake fluid leak is discovered. As an additional safety measure, dealers will replace the ABS fuse with one that is rated at a lower amperage, which will reduce the risk of fire in case of an electric short. The repair is free and the recall is expected to begin on July 2.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 440,000 vehicles are included in this Kia Sorento recall. To find out if your Optima or Sorento is a part of it, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Kia recalls SUVs over stall and fire risk

May 4, 2021 Bojan Popic Kia Recalls

Irvine, CA – May 4, 2021 – Kia Motors (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 147,249 vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines, which may stall or catch fire while driving as a result of internal damage. This increases risk of a crash and may result in serious injuries to vehicle occupants. This Kia vehicle recall includes the following vehicles:

2021 Kia Seltos
2020 Kia Soul
2021 Kia Soul

The component in question is called “piston assembly,” part number 23041-2E801. This is the latest in the series of ongoing fire-related Kia and Hyundai recalls.

Recall summary

The engines of these cars contain piston oil rings, whose function is to seal the combustion chamber – where gasoline and air mix – from other parts of the engine, partly to ensure that no extra oil is passed into the chamber.

Due to a supplier error, the recalled vehicles’ piston oil rings were “improperly heated” during production. As a result of this, they may become excessively hard to the point where they start chipping. This may result in the seal between the other parts of the engine and the combustion chamber breaking, which may cause extra oil to get into the engine and damage it.

The damage may cause the car to stall while driving. If the car continues to be driven, parts of the piston assembly can break apart and pierce the engine. This may result in the vehicle catching fire as oil escaping from the engine comes in contact with the “hot exhaust components.”

Warning signs

The driver may be alerted to this problem if they hear the engine make a metallic rattling sound and feel it vibrate. In most cases, this will be accompanied by an illuminated “ oil pressure warning light” on the dashboard. To prevent any further damage, the driver should stop the vehicle in the first safe spot and turn off the engine.

Risks

Stalling while driving may lead to potentially dangerous situations, especially if it happens in high-speed or dense traffic. Car fires are very dangerous and kill over 300 people a year on average, as reported.

For tips on what to do if your car catches fire, please see this article about last year’s Kia Stinger recall for mystery fire risk.

Other Kia engine recalls

Both Kia and Hyundai have been subject to multiple fire-related recalls. Recently, the latter – which is part-owned by Hyundai and builds vehicles on its platform – recalled over 300,000 Kia Cadenza and Kia Sportage cars because of fire risk related to a part within the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Faulty engine rod bearings were the culprit behind a recent Hyundai recall due to the stall and fire risk.

Seltos Kia 2021 is not subject to any additional recalls.

The repair

To fix the issue, Kia Motors dealers will conduct a special engine examination in affected vehicles . If an oil ring flaw is found, the dealer will replace the whole engine. In certain cases, the dealer might also install software that will alert the driver that the piston oil ring is damaged.

The recall is slated to begin on June 11.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This recall includes nearly 150,000 Kia vehicles. To do a Kia recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Recall summary

Recall risks

Warning signs

Other Kia recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Summary

‘Caught fire while parked and turned off’

Potential inadequate remedies

Background of the investigation

Will your vehicle be part of a new recall?

Recall summary

Recall risks

Warning signs

Other Kia recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Recall summary

Background of the recall

Recall risks

Warning signs

Other Kia Optima recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Recall summary

Warning signs

Recall risks

Other Kia and Hyundai recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Recall summary

Risks

Warning signs

Other Kia vehicle recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Recall summary

Risks

Other Kia recalls

Repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall summary

Risks

Warning signs

Other Kia and Kia Sorento recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Recall summary

Previous recall

Warning signs

Risks

Safety tips

Other 2015 Kia Optima recalls

Other 2015 Kia Sorento recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall summary

Warning signs

Risks

Other Kia engine recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

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