Hyundai And Kia Issue Four Recalls, Over 400,000 Vehicles Affected

From corrosion issues to faulty hood latches, more than 400,000 vehicles made by Kia and Hyundai have been recalled in four separate safety campaings.

According to AutomotiveNews, prolonged exposure to road salt and no regular cleaning of the underbody, which can cause the front lower control arm to corrode, have forced Kia to recall 97,884 units of the Sedona.

All are from the 2006 to 2012 model years built between June 15, 2005, and August 12, 2012 and sold in one of the 27 “salt states”: the District of Columbia, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Corrosion can lead to vibration or noise and, in extreme cases, the lower control arm could break. The automaker, however, is not aware of any injuries or accidents related to this condition. Kia’s dealers will inspect and replace the front lower control arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on July 25. This is the second time the Sedona minivans are called back in for a corrosion issue.

Another 219,800 units of the Kia Sedona, produced from June 15, 2005, to April 4, 2014, are recalled for a possible faulty secondary hood latch, which might have been affected by corrosion, causing it to remain in the open position when the hood is closed. Owners will have to schedule an appointment with their local dealer, which will replace the hood latch at no cost. This safety campaign is also expected to kick off on July 25.

The last recall affects 5,245 units of the Forte put together between September 10, 2012, and October 31, 2012, whose seat belt retractor retaining plate might not have been properly tightened and, in the event of an accident, could break and increase the risk of injury. The automaker became aware of a related issue when a metal piece from the assembly “got lodged in a child’s leg during a crash”, something the owner reported on social media. Kia’s dealers will inspect and replace both front seat belt assemblies at no charge, and the recall is expected to begin on June 30.

Last but not least, 81,000 Hyundai Tucsons, made between May 19, 2015, and March 14, 2016, are being recalled, as their hoods can open while driving due to possible faulty secondary hood latches that cannot secure the hood if the primary hood latch is inadvertently released. Drivers are supposed to be warned if the hood is not properly latched. The recall should commence on July 15 and the brand’s dealers will replace the faulty components free of charge.