Kia controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Kia recalls 2020–2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos vehicles
Recall announced
Kia Motors North America issued a safety recall covering 21,849 2021 Kia Seltos vehicles and 125,400 2020–2021 Kia Soul vehicles over potentially improperly heat-treated piston oil rings, which could cause engine damage, stalling, or fire. The recall is scheduled to begin June 11, 2021; Kia said affected owners would be directed to dealerships for inspection and eligible engines would be replaced free of charge.
Source excerpt
The recall begins on June 11, 2021.
Kia Motors North America has issued a safety recall for 21,849 units of the 2021 Kia Seltos and 125,400 units of the 2020-2021 Kia Soul.
Kia says piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
2021
Kia recalls Soul and Seltos vehicles over fire risk
Recall announced
In 2021, Kia announced a recall of 147,249 Soul and Seltos vehicles. According to the announcement, improperly heat-treated piston rings may cause an engine stall or fire. Kia stated that it was not aware of any related fires or injuries and estimated that 1% of the recalled cars were affected. The recall covers the potential defect described in the notice and the manufacturer's stated assessment of its scope.
Kia is recalling 147,249 Soul and Seltos vehicles because improperly heat-treated piston rings may cause an engine stall or fire. Kia said it was not aware of any related fires or injuries and estimated that 1% of recalled cars were affected.
Source excerpt
The automaker is recalling 147,249 Soul and Seltos vehicles for the issue, which could cause a fire or cause the engine to stall while driving.
Kia said it’s not aware of any fires or injuries related to the problem and estimates just 1% of the recalled cars are actually affected by the issue.
2021
Kia recalls certain Stinger vehicles over inaccurate fuel gauge readings
Recall announced
Kia recalled 53 Stinger vehicles from the 2020 and 2021 model years after identifying a software error that could cause inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The company planned to notify U.S. dealers on December 7 and to mail customer notices on December 10 with instructions to bring affected vehicles in for a fix.
Kia is recalling 53 Stinger vehicles from model years 2020 and 2021 after identifying a software error that can cause inaccurate fuel gauge readings. Kia planned to notify U.S. dealers on December 7 and mail customer notices with instructions to bring affected vehicles in for a fix on December 10.
Company response
Remediation — Kia
As expected, corrected software will ensure the fuel gauge accurately reflects the fuel in the tank.
Source excerpt
Continental Automotive Electronics of South Korea is the supplier of the iffy software, and Kia is aware of 16 warranty claims to date.
Customers of recalled vehicles will be notified by first-class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles in for a fix on December 10th, three days after Kia intends to notify U.S. dealers of the issue.
After investigating the instrument cluster and fuel sending unit, Kia identified the root cause in the guise of a software error.
2021
Kia announces recall of some fourth-generation Carnival vehicles
Recall announced
Kia Automotive Co., Ltd. filed a recall plan covering 395 vehicles produced from October 27 to November 19, 2021. The right-side power sliding door actuator may malfunction and open while the vehicle is moving. Dongfeng Yueda Kia said it would replace the affected actuator gear assemblies free of charge.
Company response
Remediation — 东风悦达起亚汽车有限公司
东风悦达起亚汽车有限公司将免费为召回范围内车辆更换右侧电动滑门执行器内齿轮总成，以消除安全隐患。
Source excerpt
决定自2021年12月24日起，召回2021年10月27日至2021年11月19日期间生产的部分第四代嘉华(配置|询价)汽车，共计395辆。
本次召回范围内车辆由于右侧电动滑门控制总成执行器内部零件制造不良，导致右侧电动滑门间歇性关闭不良，使得右侧电动滑门在车辆行驶过程中可能打开，增加乘员跌落受伤的风险，存在安全隐患。
2021
Kia recall of Cadenza and Sportage vehicles
Recall announced
Kia confirmed that certain 2017–2021 Cadenza and Sportage vehicles were affected by a safety recall because the hydraulic electronic control unit could short-circuit, increasing the likelihood of an engine fire. Kia instructed owners to park affected vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until repairs are completed.
Source excerpt
A letter published by the NHTSA confirms "a safety recall will be conducted pursuant to Federal law" for Kia Cadenza models from 2017-2019 and Kia Sportage models from 2017-2021.
Kia confirmed specific Sportage and Cadenza models from 2017-2021 were affected, and that a hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) faced the possibility of short-circuiting, which increased the likelihood of an engine fire, though the exact cause has yet to be determined.
Kia is instructing owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures as a precautionary measure until the recall repair has been completed.
2021
Kia recalls Sorento vehicles over faulty eCall SOS function
Recall announced
Kia announced a recall affecting 965 Sorento vehicles in the UK manufactured between September 1 and December 14, 2020. In affected vehicles, deployment of an airbag could prevent the vehicle identification number from being transmitted by the eCall system. Kia was contacting owners and arranging dealer appointments to reset the system.
Company response
Remediation — Kia
The carmaker is currently in the process of contacting owners with affected vehicles and arranging an appointment at nearby dealers for the eCall system to be reset.
Source excerpt
The Korean firm states that 965 cars – manufactured between September 1 and December 14 2020 – in the UK are affected and it is unaware of any injuries or accidents which have come from the issue.
Kia has announced a recall of its latest Sorento model over an issue with the car’s eCall SOS function.
Kia is recalling over 147,000 vehicles for faulty oil rings.
2020
Kia recalls vehicles over ABS module short-circuit risk
Recall announced
Kia Motors America issued a recall of certain 2006–2010 Sedona and 2007–2009 Sorento vehicles because moisture may enter the ABS module and cause an electrical short that may lead to an engine-compartment fire. The recall affected 228,829 vehicles. Kia said it would notify owners, and dealers would install a relay free of charge.
Kia Motors America is recalling certain 2006–2010 Sedona and 2007–2009 Sorento vehicles because moisture may enter the ABS module and cause an electrical short that may lead to an engine-compartment fire. The recall affects 228,829 vehicles; Kia said it would notify owners and dealers would install a relay free of charge.
Company response
Remediation — Kia Motors America
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle’s ignition switch is turned off, free of charge.
Source excerpt
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Potential Number of Units Affected: 228,829
An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
2020
Kia recalls about 229,000 vehicles over fire risk
Recall announced
Kia recalled nearly 229,000 Sedona and Sorento vehicles in the United States after moisture entering the anti-lock braking system module could cause an electrical short and fire. Kia said it had received reports of seven fires and no injuries. Dealers were to install a relay; the recall was expected to begin April 10.
Company response
Remediation — 起亚
起亚称，经销商将在主电气接线盒中安装一个继电器，以在引擎关闭时阻止电源进入制动电脑。
Source excerpt
起亚称已有七起火灾报告，但没有人员伤亡。
起亚在召回数千辆汽车，因为湿气可能进入防抱死制动模块，导致电动系统短路，存在发动机着火风险。
起亚正在召回逾19.3万台轿车和小型货车，这是该公司为解决燃油泄露可能导致发动机起火而采取的又一项举措。
2020
Kia recalls 5,128 Seltos vehicles in Russia
Recall announced
Kia Motors Russia and the CIS issued a recall for 5,128 Kia Seltos (SP2) vehicles sold from December 2019 to June 2020. According to the recall notice, the steering column on vehicles equipped with a mechanical locking system may not lock when parked. The affected vehicles will have the steering column shaft replaced free of charge.
Company response
Remediation — Kia Motors Russia and the CIS LLC
On vehicles that fall under the recall program, the steering column shaft will be replaced. Work will be carried out free of charge for the car owners.
Source excerpt
"The reason for the recall: the steering column of cars equipped with a mechanical locking system (MSCL) does not lock in the parked position," the department explained.
The official representative of KIA in Russia - Kia Motors Russia and the CIS LLC has issued a recall for 5,128 Kia Seltos (SP2) series vehicles on Monday.
On vehicles that fall under the recall program, the steering column shaft will be replaced. Work will be carried out free of charge for the car owners.
2020
NHTSA announces fines and safety-improvement requirements for Hyundai and Kia
Fine or penalty
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Hyundai and Kia must pay $137 million in fines and fund safety improvements over their handling of recalls. Hyundai will pay $54 million and invest $40 million in safety operations; another $46 million in penalties will be deferred subject to safety conditions.
The NHTSA announced that Hyundai and Kia must pay $137 million in fines and fund safety improvements over their handling of recalls. Hyundai will pay $54 million and invest $40 million in safety operations; another $46 million in penalties will be deferred subject to safety conditions.
Source excerpt
Last week the NHTSA announced that Hyundai and affiliated Korean automaker Kia must pay $137 million in fines and for safety improvements because they moved too slowly to recall over 1 million vehicles with engines that can fail.
2020
US government orders Kia and Hyundai to pay $137 million in fines
Fine or penalty
The US government ordered Kia and Hyundai to pay $137 million in fines, citing the companies' slowness in issuing recalls and making safety improvements. The report places the order in the week before its December 8 publication but does not give an exact day. The event is recorded with a December 2020 date. The source is a Scripps News report on the matter.
Source excerpt
The U.S. government ordered Kia and Hyundai last week to pay $137 million in fines for being too slow to issue recalls and for safety improvements.
2020
Hyundai and Kia announce recall of imported vehicles in China
Recall announced
Hyundai Motor (China) Investment Co. filed a recall plan covering 43,712 imported Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles and 3,686 imported Kia Sorento and Carnival vehicles. The ABS module may leak electricity or short-circuit if moisture enters its connector, creating a fire hazard. The recall is scheduled to begin on June 30, 2020, with free relay installations to change the module's power supply.
Stated objective. 消除引发火灾的安全隐患
Company response
Remediation — 现代汽车（中国）投资有限公司
现代汽车（中国）投资有限公司将免费对召回范围内的车辆在发动机舱的保险丝盒内增加安装继电器，把ABS模块供电方式从蓄电池直接供电改为通过继电器供电
Source excerpt
日前，现代汽车（中国）投资有限公司根据《缺陷汽车产品召回管理条例》和《缺陷汽车产品召回管理条例实施办法》的要求，向国家市场监督管理总局备案了召回计划，决定自2020年6月30日起召回以下车辆。
现代汽车（中国）投资有限公司将免费对召回范围内的车辆在发动机舱的保险丝盒内增加安装继电器，把ABS模块供电方式从蓄电池直接供电改为通过继电器供电，ABS模块插头端子部位在发动机熄火后不再通电，以消除引发火灾的安全隐患。
本次召回范围内的车辆，在发动机熄火后ABS模块一直由蓄电池直接供电，ABS模块插头端子部位长时间进入水分时可能发生漏电和短路并引发火灾，存在安全隐患。
2020
Kia recalls Optima cars and Sedona minivans over fuel-leak risks
Recall announced
Kia announced two U.S. recalls covering more than 193,000 vehicles: nearly 142,000 2013 and 2014 Optima cars with fuel hoses that can deteriorate and crack, and about 51,000 2011 and 2012 Sedona minivans with fuel injector rails that can crack. The defects can cause fuel leaks and fires. No fires or injuries had been reported in either recall.
Source excerpt
The largest of two U.S. recalls released by the government Thursday covers nearly 142,000 2013 and 2014 Optima midsize cars.
The second recall covers about 51,000 2011 and 2012 Sedona minivans. The fuel injector rail can crack from exposure to heat, causing a gas leak.
Kia is recalling more than 193,000 cars and minvans in yet another move to fix nagging problems that could cause engine fires.
2019
Kia recalls 69,324 KX5 vehicles in China
Recall announced
Dongfeng Yueda Kia recalled 69,324 Kia KX5 vehicles in China, citing a recurring oil-level issue and power decline associated with the previous recall. The company said it would replace engine coolant pipes, upgrade ECU software and provide a lifetime free quality warranty for engine faults caused by the issue.
Company response
Remediation — 东风悦达起亚
对此，东风悦达起亚将免费为召回范围内的车辆更换有温控阀的发动机上水管，并升级ECU程序；同时，还将对此问题造成的发动机故障进行终身免费质量保修。
Source excerpt
而此次召回，则是在抑制机油液面增高的同时，消除上次召回带来的动力性下降问题。
因“机油升高”问题未妥善解决，起亚再次召回69324辆KX5汽车
决定自2021年6月15日起，召回2016年1月26日至2018年12月8日期间生产的的KX5汽车，共计89431辆。
2014
Controversy surrounding Kia Mexico plant agreement
The construction and land arrangements for Kia’s Nuevo León plant attracted controversy over allegedly uneven land purchases and favorable terms in the agreement with local authorities.