Hyundai and Kia Recall 2011 Santa Fe and 2011 Sorento for Defective Brakes

Hyundai and Kia have issued separate recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2011 Kia Sorento respectively over the same issue concerning the rear brake calipers that may not have been properly machined.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defective calipers could lead to brake fluid leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel. If the problem is not taken care of, it will lead to reduced braking power.

The recall affects some 7,697 Kia Sorentos manufactured from September 14, 2010, through October 4, 2010, and 1,783 Hyundai Santa crossovers Fe built from September 28, 2010, through November 25, 2010.

Naturally, dealers from both automakers inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The two companies have not yet provided an owner notification schedule.

Hyundai to Recall 140000 Sonatas in US

Hyundai will recall about 139,500 units of the 2011 Sonata in the U.S. because of steering issues that could result in a loss of or reduction in maneuvering capability amid increased attention among automakers on product quality.

The year 2011 Sonata sedans manufactured between Dec. 11, 2009, and Sept. 10, 2010, are subject to the plan, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement on its website. Hyundai Motor America informed the agency it is voluntarily initiating a safety recall of Sonata sedans to inspect the steering issues, the automaker said in an e-mailed statement yesterday.

Hyundai said there were fewer than 10 vehicles with the steering issues and no accidents or injuries have occurred as a result of this condition. The automaker is expected to begin the recall in October, according to NHTSA, which opened a preliminary probe into steering issues on the model in August.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Kia Recalls 56,000 Souls, Sorentos in US and S. Korea

Kia Motors said on Friday it had started a recall of some 56,000 Soul and Sorento vehicles sold in the United States and South Korea due to defective wiring harnesses that could cause fires. Some harnesses supplied by Johnson Controls for lighting in 2010 model-year Soul cars and 2011 model-year Sorento SUVs were improperly soldered, leading to possible electrical shorts, Kia said in a letter to U.S. safety regulators on August 30.

There were no reports of accidents or injuries due to the issue, which was identified in June, said Kia, an affiliate of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. Kia determined that a recall was needed on August 23.

The U.S. recall covers 23,972 Soul cars produced from September 7, 2009, through June 8, 2010, and 11,213 Sorento vehicles built from October 23, 2009, through July 30, 2010, according to the notice filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In August, NHTSA launched a probe into possible steering defects in the 2010 model-year Soul after a driver said a steering shaft detached from the steering wheel in a two-month-old vehicle and fell onto the driver's side floor, causing a complete steering loss and limited braking.

[Source: Reuters/Kia]

NHTSA Opens Investigation on Kia Soul After Steering Loss Incident

The Kia Soul is being investigated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after a driver filed a complaint alleging complete loss of steering and limited braking on a 2-month old model. NHTSA said Monday on its website that the potential issue can affect over 51,000 vehicles.

The complaint said the steering shaft detached from the steering wheel, leading to a complete loss of steering, and the shaft fell into a position that interfered with the driver's ability to brake. The owner who filed the complaint had driven the vehicle for two months and had 4,300 miles (6,900 kilometres) on it.

The government agency seldom opens an investigation based on one complaint but said it was "very concerned about this failure in that it occurred without warning on a new vehicle at low mileage and resulted in a complete loss of steering as well as a compromised brake system."

Kia officials did not immediately comment on the investigation.

[Source: Yahoo/AFP/Reuters]

Hyundai Issues Recall and Sales Halt of 2011 Sonata

Hyundai Motor America has informed regulators that the front door-lock modules on 2011 Sonatas can stick, and will notify customers of a recall. Consequently, the brand has followed suit with a temporary sales halt on its most popular offering. The recall affects 1,300 sold units of the 2011 Sonata in the United States, as well as 46,000 units manufactured and sold in South Korea. The new Sonata has been available in South Korea since September 2009, and was launched in the U.S. this month.

Hyundai said it has received complaints from customers but there haven’t been any reported accidents or injuries related to this problem. Hyundai hopes to rectify this issue quickly and not have a repeat of Toyota’s misfortune.

With the 2011 model going on sale two weeks ago in the U.S. 5,000 cars have been made in total and of that 1,300 have been sold. It is not known how many of the 1,300 will have faulty locks.

The problem occurs when the front seat passenger tries to open the door from the inside while holding down the lock button. When this happens the interior door handle doesn’t return to its normal position and the door will not shut completely. Pressing the lock button again will reset the handle allowing the door to work correctly.

With replacement parts reaching dealerships tomorrow the stop-sale will be lifted as soon as the repairs are made. The repairs consist of the replacement of the front door-lock mechanism.

[Source: Hyundai]

Change of mind?: Hyundai introduces incentives in response to Toyota's recalls

Current Toyota owners thinking of buying a car this weekend have a new incentive from Hyundai: $1,000 in cash back on top of other current incentives. It’s good on only three models — the 2009-2010 Elantra, Elantra Touring and Sonata. This matches a similar incentive GM launched earlier this week and runs through Monday but may be extended.

Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore says the company is not looking to capitalize on another automaker’s misfortune but has to stay competitive while other automakers offer similar deals.

There is currently $1,500 cash back on the 2009 Elantra Touring, $1,000 cash back on the 2010 Elantra Touring, $3,000 in cash back on the 2009 Sonata, $3,500 cash back on the 2010 Sonata and $2,000 cash back on the 2009 Elantra and $1,500 cash back on the 2010 Elantra. These amounts are in addition to the $1,000 Toyota incentive. You can be a current owner of any Toyota model, not just a competing one to the three eligible Hyundais.

Hyundai says no incentives in response to Toyota recalls

Hyundai Motor announced today that it would not introduce any temporary measures such as incentive programs to lure customers from Toyota, which shut down sales of some of its best-selling vehicles on Wednesday

"We will maintain our quality and price strategies and stick to the strategy of unveiling cars with competitive prices," Park Dong-wook, a senior vice president of Hyundai's treasury division, told a meeting with analysts after quarterly results.

"It is undesirable to link our strategy to the Toyota problems," he added.

[Source: Reuters]

RECALL: 140000 units of Kia Rondo, Sorento, Sedona, Sportage and Amanti affected

Kia is recalling about 140,000 vehicles from model years 2006 and 2007, due to a defect that may case brake lights to malfunction. The affected models are the Kia Amanti, Rondo, Sedona, Sorento, and Sportage.

In a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kia explains, "The stop lamp switch in the vehicle may have been damaged in the assembly process. As a result, the stop lamp switch may malfunction, causing one or more of the following conditions to exist: the brake lights may not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed, or may remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released." Both conditions could increase the risk of an accident.

Kia dealers will replace the stop lamp switch in all such vehicles, free of charge. Kia dealers will begin contacting owners this month, but those who wish to make their own repair arrangements may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

[Source: NHTSA]

USA: Hyundai issues two recalls on Elantras

Hyundai Motor Co. is recalling about 150,000 Hyundai Elantra sedans because of potential electrical problems that could prevent air bags from deploying. Hyundai said Friday the recall involves Elantras from the 2001 model year.

If a liquid is spilled near the cupholder, it could drip into the air bag control module electrical connector, contaminate the module, preventing air bags from deploying in a crash.

The Korean automaker also is recalling about 75,000 Elantras from the 2001 and 2002 model years because of issues with an air bag wiring harness that could prevent the side air bags from deploying. Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson says owners who see an air bag warning light should take their car to a dealership for inspection.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

USA: Hyundai Recalls 65,000 Elantras

Hyundai Motor America has issued a recall affecting 65,000 units of the Elantra for a fuel pump defect. It affects MY2008 models produced between November 5, 2007 and June 28, 2008.

The defective fuel pump may lose pressure and hinder the engine's performance. All affected models are equipped with the 2.0L Beta 4-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower. Injuries have not been reported due to this defect.

Produced in Hyundai's Ulsan plant in South Korea, the Elantra is the second best-selling Hyundai in the United States - behind the Sonata.

[Source: Reuters]

Hyundai recalls 88,943 units of 2007-08 Santa Fe's for incorrect warning label

Commencing this August, Hyundai will recall 88,943 units of the Santa Fe SUV to fix an incorrect warning label. The label lists the wrong gross axle weight ratings on vehicles equipped with 18-inch wheels and tires.

"Overloading your vehicle may adversely affect handling and braking and may cause tire damage, resulting in tire failure and a crash without warning," says NHTSA in its recall summary of the problem. Hyundai stated that it has reduced the front and rear gross axle weight ratings by 66 pounds each for the Santa Fe models equipped with 18-inch tires.

Hyundai will mail the corrected warning labels to the affected owners with instructions. Owners will also have the option of having the label installed for free at dealerships. Hyundai has announced that there have been no accidents relevant to this issue.

[Source: Inside Line: Edmunds]

Hyundai Recalling MY 2006-2008 Sonata Models

It will be any day when Hyundai officially announces the recall of 393 714 Sonata units. The vehicles affected are MY 2006-2008 models.

The cause of the recall is a defective front-passenger airbag system. The occupant classification system (OCS) for the front passenger seat may misclassify a small stature adult for a child, thus disabling the airbag in the case of an accident.

The recall is set to be officially sent to the owners of the affected models in May 26, 2008. Hyundai dealers will remove the front-passenger seat cushion assembly and ship it to an evaluation and repair facility.

[Source: CARSCOOP]

RECALL: 55,000 2008 Camrys and 2007 Lexus ES350s

Toyota is calling back 55,000 examples of the 2007 Toyota Camry and the Lexus ES350 for a defective floormat. Complaints of the mats getting jammed with the accelerator pedal, therefore causing unintentional acceleration, has prompted the automaker to issue the recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also asked owners of other Toyota models such as the Prius to check their floormats as well.

The recall involves 30,500 models of the 2007 Lexus ES350 and 24,500 models of the 2008 Toyota Camry. Toyota has commenced contacting the owners of the affected models and the recall will be settled with new floormats by November.

[Source: Toyota]

Recall: Peugeot calls back 240,000 307s

On the wave of recalls occurring in North America, Peugeot issued a recall on its most important car in Europe. A potential short circuit can be caused in the ABS/stability control mechanicals in the Peugeot 307. A defective seal that houses the ABS and the stability control can be infiltrated with water, which can result in these short circuits. The affected models were assembled between 2003 and 2006. Approximately 240,000 units are affected, which is around 12% of the 2 million units of the 307 sold in Europe.

[Source: Autoblog via Peugeot]

Recall: Suzuki calls back 75,000 Renos and Forenzas

Another recall means another post for TheCarBlogger. The culprits this time are the Suzuki Forenza and the Reno. The Reno is the 5-door hatchback variant of the Daewoo-based Forenza. Both models are engineered and built by GM Daewoo, so rest assured, Suzuki is just the distributor here. The issue is faulty front seat belts that might unexpectedly unbuckle itself. The vehicles affected are in the US and Puerto Rico regions.

The vehicles affected are 2006 and 2007 models. The problem will be fixed by Suzuki at no-charge.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Recall: Volvo calls back 42,000 XC90s

Volvo has announced that they have issued a recall affecting 42,000 of their flagship sport-utility vehicle, the XC90. The culprit being a faulty battery switch, only the North American models are affected. The switch is prone to create short circuits if the jack handle comes in contact with it. Note that only the MY2005 models are affected.

No reports of the short circuits actually happening were brought in so far. The short circuiting was likely to happen by Volvo technicians themselves, as the instructions for the regular maintenance checks of the MY2005 XC90s affected involved the tampering of the faulty parts.

Volvo dealers will check the affected cars and implement a sticker on each car, instructing future service technicians on how to avoid the short circuits.

[Source: Autoblog]

Recall: Nissan issues recall on 140,852 Altimas for potential engine fire

Nissan has issued a massive recall on over 140,000 2007 Nissan Altimas for an air-filter defect that could cause fire in the engine bay. The models affected are the 2.5L 4-cylinder models. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)has initiated an investigation back in May when two reports were filed of fire caused while driving the affected models. Since then, 26 incidents of 4-cylinder 2007 Nissan Altimas on fire were filed. The vehicles affected were either manufactured in the Smyrna, Tennessee plant from September 25th to May 11th or the Canton, Mississippi plant from October 30th through May 11th.

Nissan dealers will replace the air-filters with improved flame-resistant ones free of charge. The recall has already initiated and will continue until October 1st, 2007. The Nissan Altima is currently the automaker's best-selling model in America and placed 9th in the national best-selling list for 2007. For more information, you can contact Nissan USA at 1-800-647-7261.

[Source: CARSCOOP]

Recall: DaimlerChrysler to recall over 80,000 Nitros and Wranglers

The latest recall comes from the folks of Auburn Hills and this one affects a huge amount of vehicles, 80,894 to be exact. Models affected are the new Jeep Wrangler and the Dodge Nitro for a faulty power module. A brief interruption of the electrical power of the engine and the instrument panel can shortly stall the vehicle. Chrysler won't charge fees for the recall service and they expect all vehicles to be serviced by the end of the week. We're crossing our fingers that the recent winner of the Dodge Nitro over at Autoblog isn't affected in this recall.

[Source: Autoblog]

DaimlerChrysler recalls 1650 Smart cars

DaimlerChrysler AG announced today that they have recalled 1650 MKII Smart Fortwos in Europe after reports of steering problems. The recall was announced after DaimlerChrysler received numerous reports that a locking ring was not installed correctly.

The second-generation Fortwos went on sale in April and they have sold 12000 units since. DaimlerChrysler spokesman Hubert Kogel stated that all affected vehicles were recalled, repaired, and returned to their owners. No accidents or injuries were caused by this issue.

[Source: The Toronto Star]

Ford recalls 527,000 Escapes

Ford is recalling 527,000 Escape sport-utility vehicles because of a problem in the antilock braking system that could cause fires, the company said Tuesday.

Missing or incorrectly installed wiring harness seals on the Escape's antilock brake connector could allow water and other contaminates such as brake fluid or road salt to enter the ABS connector causing corrosion.

[Source: Winding Road via CNN News]

Continued- Article

The corrosion, in turn, could "lead to an illuminated ABS warning indicator, an open fuse, and in some rare instances smoking, melting or burning of the electrical ABS connector," the company said in a statement.

The recall affects 444,880 Escapes from the 2001-2004 model years in the U.S., as well as 82,000 Escapes in Canada, Mexico and Europe, Ford said.

The hybrid version of the Escape is not included in the recall, although the Mazda Tribute, which is essentially a twin of the Ford Escape, is being included, according to spokesperson Kristen Kinley.

Ford said there had been about no reported accidents or injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating the issue.

Under the recall, Ford dealers will inspect the antilock braking system for corrosion and replace it if necessary.