Kia America is issuing a recall for over 101,000 cars and SUVs following reports of a potentially life-threatening issue associated with the vehicles’ roofs, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall notice was published by federal safety regulators on Monday, subsequent to the submission of safety-related concerns to the NHTSA.
The reported problem involves the loosening or detachment of the vehicles‘ roof molding while in operation, potentially stemming from improper installation during the assembly of the vehicles.
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The safety recall report specifies warning signs, such as the “visible lifting of roof molding or noise while driving.”
Which Kia Vehicles Are Subject to Recall?
Kia is issuing a recall for 40,426 Sportages and 60,623 Carnivals in the United States due to a manufacturing error that may result in parts becoming dislodged.
Although the molding in question is not essential for the safe operation of the vehicle, its potential detachment while on the highway poses a hazard to other road users.
The automaker first identified this issue in September, but the complexity of the concern posed challenges in conducting a thorough investigation.
The difficulty arose from the substantial loss of trim pieces, making it challenging to inspect for potential problems.
Kia has identified that interference with the roof molding retaining clips, stemming from excessive roof panel sealer or incorrect installation of the components, may result in their detachment from the vehicle.
Consequently, the decision has been made to initiate a recall campaign.
Kia Urges Vehicle Inspections in March 15 Recall
Commencing on March 15, 2024, Kia will initiate communication with owners, requesting them to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer for inspection.
During the inspection, if deemed necessary, the roof molding will be replaced with components featuring retaining clips that do not face interference from excessive sealer.
Kia has also enhanced its assembly processes and implemented additional training measures to prevent issues with the moldings detaching from the vehicles. Owners who incurred out-of-pocket expenses for repairs will receive reimbursement from Kia.