New Delhi: Kia Motors is following Hyundai to recall vehicles over a problem that could lead to engine-compartment fires in the United States. Kia have announced the recall of nearly 295,000 vehicles. Both Kia and Hyundai have been under enormous scrutiny in the country and were recently slapped with fines.
However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said, there has been no manufacturing or design defect identified yet, and Kia is recalling the vehicles as a “preventative measure to mitigate any unreasonable fire risk.”
As per a document submitted by Kia, it says no defect has been found in the cars but the recall is still being issued to ensure there is absolutely no chance of engine fire. Vehicles listed in the NHTSA Safety Recall Report are the 2011–2013 Optima Hybrid, 2012 Sportage, 2012–2013 Sorento, and 2012–2013 Forte and Forte Koup with the 2.4-liter Theta II engine; and the 2014–2015 Forte, Forte Koup, and Soul with the 2.0-liter Nu engine.
Kia will notify owners starting on January 27, 2021. Dealers will inspect the engine compartments of affected vehicles, make repairs, and potentially replace engines. Kia also intends to carry out a software update to add a Knock Sensor Detection System as soon as possible, and the NHTSA report states that Kia will provide 15-year/150,000-mile warranty coverage for engine repairs needed “due to connecting-rod bearing damage.”
NHTSA just last week had ordered the two companies to pay a massive fine of $137 million after having found both guilty of being slow in recalling around one million vehicles which may have had defects that could lead to engine fires.
