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.
