Kia recalls vehicles with faulty instrument clusters

Kia recalls vehicles with faulty instrument clusters

September 1, 2021 Mikaela Bolker

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.

Mikaela BolkerKia recalls vehicles with faulty instrument clusters
Kia recalls more than 20,000 vehicles due to risk of fire

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

August 13, 2021 Bojan Popic

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.

Bojan PopicKia recalls more than 20,000 vehicles due to risk of fire
Kia recalls more than 440,000 vehicles over risk of fire

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

June 11, 2021 Bojan Popic

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.

Bojan PopicKia recalls more than 440,000 vehicles over risk of fire
Kia recalls SUVs over stall and fire risk

Kia recalls SUVs over stall and fire risk

May 4, 2021 Bojan Popic

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.

Bojan PopicKia recalls SUVs over stall and fire risk
2019 Kia Stinger recalled for mystery fire risk

2019 Kia Stinger recalled for mystery fire risk

October 26, 2020 Rebecca Rand

Pleasanton, CA – October 27, 2023 – Kia announced that 4,241 cars that were part of this recall were still in need of repair. To see if your car is one them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Pleasanton, CA – March 3, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) has remedied issues with 19,276 luxury sports sedans including the 2019 Kia Stinger dealing with a risk of fire caused by a failure with the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). Additionally, 991 of these vehicles have been categorized as unreachable and 477 have been removed from the recall. One group of Kia models were remedied in 2020 and four groups were remedied in 2021 for this issue with the ABS Unit that may cause an engine compartment fire similar to a recall that affect several 2014-2015 Kia Sorento and 2013-2015 Kia Optima models in 2021.

Pleasanton, CA – August 28, 2020 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) has announced a recall of 28,200 luxury sports sedans over concerns of an engine compartment fire, potentially caused by the anti-lock braking system (ABS). The recall includes all 2019 Kia Stingers equipped with 3.3L T-GDI engines.

The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) is an important component of the ABS that prevents the wheels of a car from locking and allows the car to maintain traction with the road.

Recall summary

In recalled cars, there is a risk that an engine compartment fire may occur where the HECU is located.  However, while the recall notice points to the ABS unit as the culprit of fire, other documents from the regulator National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) stop short from confirming that, instead listing the cause of the fire as “unknown.”

At least six Kia Stingers had caught fire before the manufacturer issued the recall.

Risks

Car fires kill over 300 people a year on average and injure over a thousand, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Their report blames at least 20% of vehicle fires between 2009 and 2017 on equipment failures. As far as manufacturer Kia is concerned, there are many recalls caused by fire hazards. In 2021, several Kia Compact SUVs were recalled for fire risk due to electrical issues.

Warning signs

 Before the car catches fire, the driver may notice the following:

  • Tire pressure,  ABS  or the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) warning lights come on
  • The car emits a “burning/melting odor”
  • Smoke appears from under the hood

What to do in the event of a fire

If you notice any of these conditions, stop your car someplace safe. If you suspect there is an actual fire under the hood, do not open it. Oxygen will rush in and feed the flames. Instead, get yourself and others away from the vehicle, at least 100 feet.

Call the fire department at 911 when you are in a secure location. Do not return to the vehicle for any reason.

The repair

Kia has yet to offer a repair for this recall. The automaker will be notifying owners by mail starting October 26, at which time it will lay out the next steps of the recall process.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 9,000 Kia Stingers are included in this recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s vehicle identification number look up tool.

Rebecca Rand2019 Kia Stinger recalled for mystery fire risk
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