Irvine, Calif. — September 26, 2016 — A bad weld in some 2016 Kia Sorrento vehicles could leave occupants at risk of crashing.  Just 1 percent of the total recalled population is estimated to have this defect, according to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

That report also stated that 7,901 of these vehicles could potentially see a weld break and impact both vehicle performance and safety. The source traced the problem back to supplier Hwashin America Corporation, which oversaw the improper welding process that left an assist arm bracket disconnected from the vehicle’s rear crossmember. Owners may be able to tell that their vehicle has this problem if they hear “a popping or clunking noise” from the breaking tack welds.

To prevent this problem from happening in the future, the supplier reportedly used an air pressure valve and limit sensor to correct the welding process. The vehicles addressed in this recall make up two distinct ranges of production years: one between May 29 and Nov. 16, 2015, and the other spanning Jan. 14 and Feb. 11, 2016. Dealers can replace the crossmember assembly as needed, the report added.

A July 21 safety bulletin from the manufacturer urged owners to locate their nearest Kia dealer and have a professional inspect the assembly. The bulletin said that the inspection alone (without the replacement) would require approximately one hour to complete.

Owners who have already paid to treat this issue could potentially be eligible for reimbursement under Kia’s General Reimbursement Plan, the statement added. The original report listed the dealer notification date as July 15 and the owner notification date as July 21.

Irvine, CA — June 1, 2016 — Some Kia vehicles may suddenly lose headlight functionality, according to a new recall set to begin on this month. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Part 573 recall report on this effort stated that 3,099 vehicles were potentially affected, including Kia K900 cars from both the 2015 and 2016 model years. Production dates span three years, from 2013 to 2016, and the faulty components come from Daesung Electric, Ltd.

This problem could manifest itself in multiple ways. Headlights may, according to the report, either flicker on and off or shut off completely. This is because of resistance buildup within the electric system, which can come after prolonged usage of the automatic headlights. The connection can worsen over time, meaning that a flickering at first could be a sign of further headlight failure later on.

A Safety Defect determination document from the same source traced the history of this issue, with the initial Quality Information Report first occurring on October 19, 2015. After the first conditions were found, the manufacturer determined that the oxidized contact points within the affected vehicles’ multifunction switches were causing the lighting failure.

In contrast to this, the new material in the multiswitch contacts will be less prone to oxidization and make connectivity within the lighting system easier. No accidents or injuries are currently connected to this issue.

Although the company upgraded the contact material and software on January 12, 2016, the voluntary recall wasn’t launched until April 7, 2016. This was after 79 warranty claims and 46 consumer reports.

Dealers should be notified by May 19, and will replace the existing contacts with new ones that reduce the chance of a glitch. The owner notification date is planned for May 27.

Washington, DC — November 25, 2015 — The most recent of two Kia Motors recalls issued this year began this month, as the manufacturer has responded to five related warranty claims, none of which are related to any reports of injuries. Nearly 256,460 Soul vehicles are part of this new voluntary recall action, affecting those vehicles with model years between 2014 and 2016, according to Car and Driver. In these autos, weak adhesive can cause gears within the steering assemblies to separate.

Drivers who experienced this failure would have more difficulty steering their vehicles, putting them and passengers at risk. The remedy, listed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will require owners and dealers to replace the pinion plug and add a set gear if necessary.

The decision to launch this recall began on October 29, and the order will officially take place on December 22. Kia initially evaluated the steering gear assembly in 2015MY Soul vehicles this September, with the analysis itself being conducted between October 12 and 21.

During this time, Kia discovered “that a thread locking adhesive of insufficient bonding strength had been applied” within the assembly. A chronology released by the NHTSA notes both this and the fact that none of the reported cases led to loss of control.

The earliest manufactured vehicles included in this recall trace back to a January 18, 2014 manufacture date. On its official website’s FAQ, Kia advises owners to contact its Roadside Assistance if they experience a “clunking noise” while steering so they can tow the vehicle to the nearest dealer.

Irvine, CA — October 27, 2015 — A breakable gear shift lever in some hundreds of thousands of Kia Sorento units has prompted attention from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report posted by this source, more than 377,000 of these light vehicles could shift unintentionally during use if excessive force was applied to the shifting lever.

Normally, these vehicles can only be shifted out of park mode if the service brake pedal is pressed. Though the discovery of this problem dates back to this August, the concerned vehicles were manufactured as far back as 2009, with model years ranging between 2011 and 2013. These voluntary Kia recalls come after three claims of related injuries and more than 50 warranty claims.

The planned dealer notification date is scheduled for November 18, with owners informed some time between November 24 and December 1. The same recall report explains the actions that the manufacturer will take and that dealers will be expected to.

“Kia will instruct dealers to replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism with a new one,” it reads. The statement further explains what this means, adding that “the recalled brake-shift interlock mechanism is comprised of a shift lever and an interlock hook, along with associated fasteners. The remedy replaces these parts with improved parts.”

This is a possible threat to drivers and passengers because the vehicles could accidentally move once they have been shifted. The initial case noting this defect concerned a father whose son received a fractured leg while trying to stop the vehicle from rolling in a parking lot.