Hyundai, Kia Recall 625,000 SUVs and Minivans
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Hyundai is recalling 120,000 SUVs, and Kia is recalling 505,652 SUVs and minivans, for a variety of problems, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia are run as separate business units, but they share a corporate parent and their cars often share parts, design, and engineering.
The actions affect:
378,967 Kia Soul small cars from the 2012 to 2016 model years. Their catalytic converters, which are used to reduce tailpipe emissions, could be damaged by high exhaust temperatures. That in turn could lead to engine damage, the automaker says.
120,000 Hyundai Tucson SUVs from the 2011 to 2013 model years. The oil pan may have been improperly sealed during engine production. As a result, an oil leak could develop and lead to engine damage, the engine stalling, or even a fire, NHTSA says.
94,389 Kia Sedona minivans from the 2015 to 2018 model years. For models with a manually operated front passenger seat (meaning it doesn’t have a powered seat), a wiring harness for the system that detects the weight of the person sitting there can break if the seat is frequently used. That could allow the airbag to deploy in a crash even when a child, who doesn’t weigh enough to normally activate an airbag, is sitting there, potentially causing an injury, NHTSA says.
32,296 Kia Sportage SUVs from the 2011 to 2012 model years. The oil pan may have been improperly sealed during engine production. As a result, an oil leak could develop and lead to engine damage, the engine stalling, or even a fire, NHTSA says.
Hyundai and Kia say they are not aware of any crashes or injuries because of any of these issues.
Details: Hyundai Tucson Recall
The vehicles: 120,000 Tucson SUVs from the 2011 to 2013 model years built from May 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2012.
The problem: The oil pan may have been improperly sealed during engine production. As a result, an oil leak could develop and lead to engine damage, the engine stalling, or even a fire.
The fix: Hyundai has not yet identified a repair for this issue, NHTSA says.
How to contact the manufacturer: Affected owners can call Hyundai at 855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 181; it says it plans to notify owners beginning March 29.
NHTSA’s campaign number: 19V063.
Details: Kia Soul Recall
The vehicles: 378,967 Soul SUVs from the 2012 to 2016 model years, built from July 8, 2011, through Aug. 11, 2016.
The problem: Their catalytic converters, which are used to reduce tailpipe emissions, could be damaged by high exhaust temperatures. That in turn could lead to engine damage.
The fix: Dealers will update software at no charge to owners.
How to contact the manufacturer: Affected owners can call Kia at 800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC176. Kia did not say when it expects to notify owners.
NHTSA’s campaign number: 19V120.
Details: Kia Sedona Recall
The vehicles: 94,389 Sedona minivans from the 2015 to 2018 model years, built from July 29, 2014, through July 17, 2017.
The problem: For models with a manually operated front passenger seat (meaning it doesn’t have a powered seat), a wiring harness for the system that detects the weight of the person sitting there can break if the seat is frequently used. That could allow the airbag to deploy in a crash even when a child, who doesn’t weigh enough to normally activate an airbag, is sitting there, potentially causing an injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the wiring harness, adjust it as needed, and replace the wiring harness and seat cushion if necessary at no charge to owners. Kia said it would reimburse owners for repair costs they may have already incurred.
How to contact the manufacturer: Affected owners can call Kia at 800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC175; the automaker says it will begin notifying owners March 19.
NHTSA’s campaign number: 19V109.
Details: Kia Sportage Recall
The vehicles: 32,296 Sportage SUVs from the 2011 to 2012 model years built from June 11, 2010, through Feb. 13, 2012.
The problem: The oil pan may have been improperly sealed during engine production. As a result, an oil leak could develop and lead to engine damage, the engine stalling, or even a fire.
The fix: Kia has not yet identified a repair for this issue, NHTSA says.
How to contact the manufacturer: Affected owners can call Kia at 800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC174; the automaker says it will begin notifying owners April 10.
NHTSA’s campaign number: 19V101.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: The NHTSA website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued since you last checked.
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