Hyundai and Kia have announced the recall of approximately 1.5 million vehicles in the United States and in South Korea, after the discovery was made that debris was left behind in engines during the manufacturing process. This debris can restrict the flow of oil in the affected engines and can cause the engines to seize and stall while in operation. Drivers of vehicles affected by the recall are at a heightened risk of a crash, due to this defect. Some of the more popular models of cars by these companies have been hit the hardest, including Hyundai’s Santa Fe and Sonata models, and Kia’s Sorento, Sportage, and Optima models. These recalls are predicted to cost the automakers hundreds of millions, according to Financial Times.
These recalls are the latest in a string of issues announced by Hyundai. In 2015, the company announced the same issue in older models of Hyundai Sonatas. An earlier recall raised the concerns of seat belts becoming detached in a crash for nearly 1 million Hyundai Sonatas and Sonata Hybrids. In the newest recall, more than 1.3 million vehicles in the US are believed to be affected.
The specific models of the affected vehicles are:
- 2013-2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- 2013-2014 Hyundai Sonata
- 2011-2014 Kia Optima
- 2012-2014 Kia Sorento
- 2011-2013 Kia Sportage
All the engines believed to be affected were manufactured in Hyundai’s Montgomery, Alabama plant.
If you believe that your car may be among those involved in the recall, you can enter your vehicles VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site. If your vehicle is one of the recalled cars, your dealer will replace the entire engine block for free, beginning May 22, 2017. Currently, Hyundai reports that there are no injuries or crashes related to the problem that sparked the recall. All consumers with a recalled vehicle should seek repairs, however.
If you have been injured due to an auto defect, don’t wait to seek help from our Denver auto defect attorneys. Our team is well-equipped to tackle your case, and we are backed by more than 45 years of experience in personal injury and defective auto part cases. The Gilbert Law Group is dedicated to representing injured consumers against large corporations, and we will fight for your interests. Learn more about your claim by contacting our offices at (888) 711-5947 to request a free consultation.
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