Hyundai and Kia Recall Vehicles for Engine Failure
Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia are recalling about 1.4 million cars and SUVs in the U.S., Canada and South Korea because the engines in these vehicles could potentially fail and stall increasing the risk of a crash. According to a news report in The Associated Press, the recall covers some of their most popular models including the 2013 and 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUVs and Sonata midsize cars. Also included in this recall are the Kia Optima mid-size cars from 2011 through 2014, Kia Sportage SUVs from 2011 through 2013 and 2012-2014 Kia Sorento SUVs.
Details of the Safety Recall
All the recalled vehicles have either 2-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline engines and the U.S. engines were manufactured at Hyundai’s Alabama plant. According to documents submitted by the automakers to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the debris left from manufacturing can restrict oil flow to connecting rod bearings. Since they are cooled by oil, this restriction can increase temperatures and cause the bearings to wear and fail. This could in turn cause engine stalling.
When this happens, vehicle owners might hear a knocking sound from the engine that increases in frequency as they accelerate. They could also get engine warning lights on their dashboard. Anyone with these symptoms or problems should contact their dealership. When the recall begins next month, dealers will replace the block at no cost to owners. So far, the companies say they haven’t received reports of any crashes or injuries related to this problem. Kia is an affiliate of Hyundai and together they are the world’s fifth largest automaker.
This is the second U.S. recall in two years for Hyundai relating to the same engine problem. In September 2015, Hyundai recalled 470,000 Sonata sedans from 2011 and 2012 model years with the same engines. Documents filed by Kia, according to the AP report, show that the company did not initially believe the problem affected its engines because warranty claims and field reports were low. But the number of claims began to increase gradually and prompted this safety recall.
Auto Product Liability Issues
If you are not sure if your vehicle is part of this recall, visit safercar.gov and enter your vehicle identification number or VIN to find out. If it is part of the recall, take it to your dealer for repairs. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a vehicle defect or a recalled vehicle, contact an experienced auto product liability lawyer who will help you seek and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries, damages and losses.