Kia Optima vehicles from 2013 to 2014 are the subject of another recall to repair a low-pressure hose that could cause an engine fire.
Consumer Reports say this is the second time these specific vehicles have been recalled. Kia last recalled them in 2020 because the Optima fuel hose could crack. The latest hazard could put drivers and passengers in great danger.
Cause for the Kia Optima Recall
In documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Kia said that dealers performing the initial recall may not have properly repaired the low-pressure fuel hose with heat-protective tape. In other instances, dealers repaired a fuel hose that showed evidence of damage with tape instead of replacing it.
This marks the latest in a series of fire-related recalls involving Kia and Hyundai vehicles. NHTSA’s documentation showed 155 warranty claims, 12 customer complaints, and eight cases were submitted to Kia’s internal dealer-support technical center from which this action stemmed.
So far, there have been no known reports of fires, deaths, injuries, or crashes related to this issue. Dealerships will replace the low-pressure fuel hose with a new, improved one. Kia facilities in Georgia manufactured the recalled vehicles between Nov. 15, 2012, and Dec. 18, 2013.
Kia and Hyundai Fire Issues
NHTSA launched a probe into Kia and Hyundai vehicles that use a 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine design. The NHTSA initiated the probe into Kia and Hyundai vehicles with 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine designs, following over 3,000 fire reports and a petition from the Center for Auto Safety, an advocacy group. The fires have also prompted the filing of a class-action lawsuit. Consumer Reports strongly urges owners to heed this new recall alert even if they had previous recall work done in their vehicles.
Vehicles with fire hazards have the potential to cause severe burn injuries. Vehicle defect-injured individuals possess legal rights. They could file a product liability claim against the automaker and/or parts suppliers who may be involved. To prove a product liability claim, plaintiffs must provide evidence that shows that the product was defective and that the defective product caused their injuries, damages, and losses. Injured victims in such cases would be well-advised to retain the services of an auto defect law firm that has the resources to pursue large automakers and corporations financially.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/kia-optima-recalled-again-to-address-fuel-leaks-engine-fires-a2506310726/
