Kia recalls 295,000 vehicles for engine fire risks

WASHINGTON — Kia said on Saturday it is recalling 295,000 U.S. vehicles for engine hearth threats.

The Korean automaker said the remember handles some 2012-2013 model year Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles for the reason that an engine compartment hearth can come about whilst driving.

Dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel or oil leaks, carry out an engine take a look at and make any repairs which includes engine substitution, as important. Kia said it is at this time developing a Knock Sensor Detection Process software program update.

Past 7 days, Kia and affiliate Hyundai agreed to a file $210 million civil penalty right after U.S. auto basic safety regulators said they failed to remember 1.6 million vehicles for engine concerns in a well timed vogue.

The Korean automakers agreed to consent orders right after the U.S. Nationwide Freeway Targeted visitors Basic safety Administration (NHTSA) said the automakers inaccurately reported some information to the company with regards to the remembers.

Kia’s civil penalty totaled $70 million, which includes an upfront payment of $27 million, necessities to invest $sixteen million on specified basic safety steps, and a probable $27 million deferred penalty.

The settlement handles remembers in 2015 and 2017 for manufacturing concerns that could guide to bearing use and engine failure.

In the new Kia engine remember, NHTSA opened an investigation in 2019 into non-crash fires in Kia and Hyundai vehicles. The company in July advisable Kia carry out remembers on sure designs with a better hearth complaint amount, the automaker said.

Kia said “based mostly on NHTSA’s recommendation” it had designed the “decision to remember sure Kia vehicles as a preventative measure to mitigate any probable hearth hazard.”

Hyundai on Friday recalled 129,000 U.S. vehicles for the reason that connecting rod bearings may possibly use prematurely, which in excess of time can result in engine problems and improve hearth threats.