What You Need to Know About Kia’s SUV Recalls

By Dallas Personal Injury Attorney on January 21, 2023

If you bought Kia’s Sportage SUVs from the 2008 and 2009 model years, you might have to replace them. This is because Kia is recalling the models due to various safety threats. If you own this car, you might wonder what triggered the recall. Read on to find the reason and how an attorney can help you seek compensation in case of any damages.

Why Were the SUVs Recalled?

Kia recalled over 70,000 Sportage SUVs from the 2008 and 2009 model years because they may catch fire when parked or being driven. Kia recommends that owners of these models park them away from structures until the recall repair is done. No fix to the problem has been provided yet — owners will be updated once a solution has been found.

The Sportage SUVs have mechanical defects around the hydraulic engine control unit (HECU), which also affects the antilock brake system. This part of the car is responsible for many other fire-related recalls among the same model of SUVs. Since the launch of Sportage SUVs, Kia informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it received eight vehicle fires. It also recorded about 15 incidents of “localized melting” among this model of SUVs. All the incidents didn’t result in any crashes or injuries.

What Are Your Rights in a Vehicle Recall?

If the model of your vehicle is recalled, you should receive an email notification from the manufacturer. This is done after the make and model of your car is determined to have defects that could affect its efficiency and performance. Vehicles are also recalled after the manufacturer ascertains that it poses a risk to your safety. The rights you have during this process include the following:

• The right to be informed about the recall (it should be formal and in writing)
• The right to be informed of when the issue will be fixed and how long the fix will take
• All the fixes and repairs are free of charge
• Receive contact details to raise concerns should other issues arise

Knowing these rights is vital in case of a recall. Whenever your car model is recalled, the manufacturer should provide you with the following options: refund or repair. If the manufacturer doesn’t give you any of these options after a recall, your rights have been violated. In that case, you will need an experienced attorney to help you seek compensation.

What To Do If Your Car is Recalled

If your car gets recalled, it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to notify you of the recall. In most cases, manufacturers send recall notifications via mail. Another way users can check if their car has been recalled is by entering the vehicle identification number into the NHTSA recall search engine. Reading through the details on the recall notice carefully before taking the next step is crucial.

A recall notice will list all the defects in the car and what prompted its recall. It will also give you expert recommendations on what to do next. In the case of Kia, they advised their customers to cease using the SUV model until a solution is found. If you don’t want to replace your car, the manufacturer should give you a refund. An attorney should be involved in the process to avoid any inconveniences.

How Can Lenahan Law Firm Help?

Contact us for legal advice if you or your loved one sustains injuries from a defective vehicle. The Lenahan Law Firm has an experienced team of Dallas auto product liability attorneys ready to work on your case. We have helped many people in similar situations and know what it takes to increase your chances of a favorable outcome. Call us today at (214) 295-1008 to schedule your appointment.