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.
