Major Car Recall: 1,900,000+ Cars Recalled by Hyandai and its Subsidiary, Kia Motor Company – More Defective Products On U.S. Roads
11 OF April, 2013
Posted by Allen Law Group, LLC
The number keeps getting bigger, depending upon which news report you read, but the latest reports are that Kia Motor Company, a part of the Hyundai Motor Company, is recalling around 2,000,000 vehicles sold here in the United States by the Korean car manufacturer because of concerns for dangers in a variety of areas. (The Detroit News’ tally is 2.2 million.)
According to recall information made public via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thirteen models are covered in this huge recall, which is really covered in three separate recalls issued by the car company. The problems all stem from issues in the electrical system and/or the airbags provided in the vehicles, and all these models are involved because the same parts are used in building all these different product options.
As of today:
- Hyundai Motor Company has recalled over 1.06 million vehicles for electrical problems.
- Kia Motor Company issued a separate recall for 623,000 vehicles.
Is Your Car Being Recalled?
According to the news releases issued by Hyundai or Kia, the following cars are subject to recall:
Hyundai models
- 2007-09 Accent
- 2007-10 Elantra
- 2011-2013 Elantra (air bag malfunctions)
- 2010-11 Genesis Coupe
- 2007-11 Santa Fe SUV
- 2011 Sonata sedan
- 2008-09 Tucson
- 2008-09 Veracruz SUV.
Kia Models
- 2007-10 Rondo
- 2007 Sedona
- 2011 Optima
- 2007-11 Sorento SUV
- 2010-11 Soul
- 2007-10 Sportage.
The Dangers That Caused the Recalls: Electrical System and Air Bag Malfunctions
What is going on here? Most of the recalls involve electrical issues in these cars where, according to Hyandai in its public notice of the problem:
“… condition could potentially result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, intermittent ability to remove the vehicle’s shifter from the park position, illumination of the “ESC” [Electronic Stability Control] indicator lamp in the instrument cluster, intermittent interference with operation of the cruise control feature, or intermittent operation of the stop lamps….”
However, in the Hyundai Elantra (2011-2013 model years), there are problems with the air bags. According to Hyandai, the side curtain airbag may injure a passenger in a side impact crash because of a problem with a support bracket in the headliner.
- Of note: in September 2012, NHTSA was not only investigating Hyandai’s air bags, it was upgrading its investigation – so the issue of air bags contained in these cars may be of continuing concern. That federal investigation is ongoing.
Report Receipt Date: APR 01, 2013
________________________________________
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V115000
Component(s): AIR BAGS , STRUCTURE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 186,250
All Products Associated with this Recall
Details
2 Associated Documents
Manufacturer: Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc
SUMMARY:
Hyundai Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Elantra vehicles manufactured from November 12, 2010, through March 5, 2013. A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment.
CONSEQUENCE:
If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply adhesive strips to the headliner, free of charge. A remedy is expected to be available in May 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai’s recall campaign number is 109.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
________________________________________
Report Receipt Date: APR 01, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V114000
Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Potential Number of Units Affected: 623,658
All Products Associated with this Recall
Details
2 Associated Documents
Manufacturer: Kia Motors Corporation
SUMMARY:
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and causing the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
CONSEQUENCE:
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s recall campaign number is SC098.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Report Receipt Date: APR 01, 2013
________________________________________
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V113000
Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,059,824
All Products Associated with this Recall
Details
2 Associated Documents
Manufacturer: Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc
SUMMARY:
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
CONSEQUENCE:
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall will begin by June 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai’s recall campaign number is 110.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Information About the Pending NHTSA Investigation Into Air Bags:
NHTSA Action Number: EA12008 Side Curtain Air Bag Improper Deployment
________________________________________
SUMMARY:
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of one incident of an improper deployment of the driver-side curtain air bag that deployed as a result of a crash involving a model year (MY) 2012 Hyundai Elantra. An inspection of this vehicle showed that a metal bracket (stiffener) in the headliner assembly had detached and was forced downward by the deploying air bag. The metal bracket caused a laceration to the driver’s ear and other possible injuries. Approximately 75,000 MY 2012 Hyundai Elantra vehicles, built in Korea and sold in the U.S., have stiffeners in the headliners while the MY 2012 Elantra vehicles built in the U.S. utilize a different headliner that does not use a stiffener. Thus, the latter vehicles are not included in this investigation. Hyundai has inspected the headliner assemblies from eight Elantra vehicles (which were sold in the Korean market) with production dates in the same range as the field incident vehicle. Hyundai reported to ODI that the metal brackets from these vehicles were found to be securely attached to the headliners. Hyundai also has conducted several static deployment tests in attempts to replicate the field incident. In one test, the metal bracket detached from the headliner but the test condition did not replicate or explain the condition observed in the incident vehicle. An Engineering Analysis has been opened to further assess whether incidents like the single field incident could potentially occur with other subject vehicles. In addition to the subject vehicles, ODI also will collect and review information on MY 2011 and 2013 Elantra vehicles that have headliners with stiffeners similar to those in the subject vehicles. To date, there have been no reports on the MY 2011 and 2013 vehicles. The ODI report cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints under the following identification number: 10457696
