Kia recall: Exterior lighting
What is wrong
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
What could happen
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Vehicles covered
- Kia Amanti 2007–2009
- Kia Borrego 2009
- Kia Forte 2010
- Kia Optima 2008–2011
- Kia Rondo 2007–2010
- Kia Sedona 2007–2011
- Kia Sorento 2007–2011
- Kia Soul 2010–2011
- Kia Sportage 2007–2011
Facts
- NHTSA recall number
- 13V114000
- Type
- Vehicle
- Filed by
- Kia Motors Corporation
- Reported to NHTSA
- Apr 1, 2013
- Owners notified
- Apr 19, 2013
- Vehicles or items affected
- 980,377
- Started by
- The manufacturer
- Built
- May 31, 2007 to Apr 29, 2010
- Part
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
- Maker's own recall number
- SC098
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other recalls for the same vehicles
- Kia recall: Service brakes, hydraulic Sep 25, 2023
- Kia recall: Latches/locks/linkages Aug 24, 2023
- Kia recall: Structure Aug 1, 2022
- Kia recall: Fuel system, gasoline Feb 17, 2022
- Kia recall: Service brakes, hydraulic May 10, 2021
- Kia recall: Service brakes, hydraulic Aug 27, 2020
To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.