Four Hyundai, Kia Recalls Target 625,700 Vehicles

Hyundai Motor Co. and its Kia Motors affiliate are launching four recalls in the U.S. that will cover a combined 625,700 vehicles and fix defective seat sensor wiring and problems that could cause a fire and/or engine failure.

Kia is calling back 379,000 of its 2012-2016 Soul MPVs (pictured) that are equipped with 1.6-liter engines. Those cars have catalytic converters that could overheat, thereby producing abnormal engine behavior. The issue may lead to a broken piston rod, which would cause severe engine damage that might include an oil leak and fire.
 

Kia dealers will revise control software to prevent the catalyst from overheating. Depending upon any damage discovered, they also may replace the converter and/or entire engine.

Separately, Hyundai and Kia are preparing a callback for 152,300 small SUVs to fix an oil pan leak that could lead to engine stalls and/or a fire. The recalls will cover 2011-2013 model Hyundai Tucson (120,000 units) and 2011-2012 model Kia Sportage vehicles (32,300 units). The companies are still working out a suitable repair and don’t expect to begin the campaign until April.

Finally, Kia is calling back 94,400 of its 2015-2018 model Sedona minivans. Affected vehicles have a wiring harness under the front passenger seat that could break and disable the system that detects the presence of a child seat and disables off the airbags. This recall targets only minivans with manually adjustable seats.