Kia South Africa issues recall for selected Sportage models

Kia Motors South Africa has announced a safety recall of selected Kia Sportage cars manufactured in Korea between 9 August 2007 and 22 May 2009.

The recall of 305 cars is related to issues with the models’ hydraulic electronic control unit.

“The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit monitors individual wheel speeds and will, when determined, operate the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stablity Programme (ESP),” Kia SA says in an emailed statement.

“There is a possibility that corrosion of the wire harness connector pins in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit assembly can occur due to improper sealing of the Hydraulic ECU’s wire harness connector cover. If moisture contaminated with road salt reaches the Hydraulic ECU’s circuit board, an electrical short circuit may occur on the circuit board. In some instances, the ESC or ABS warning light may illuminate.”

David Sieff, Kia South Africa’s marketing director, says that safety was a priority for the automotive brand.

Just over 300 Kia Sportage models are affected by an issue affecting the electronic control unit

“Most of the reports about this problem have occurred in countries with heavy snowfall, where roads are regularly treated with salt to avoid ice forming on the road surface. It is the salt in the water content that could cause the corrosion. No such incidents have been reported in South Africa.”

Kia SA has announced the recall on its social media accounts and will also publish an alert in national newspapers, it added.

Unsure if your car is affected? Kia SA says you can visit their website and take advantage of the search functionality, using your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN).

If customers are uncertain about whether their vehicle could be affected, the KIA Motors South Africa website – www.kia.co.za –also offers a convenient search function through which customers can enter their vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). More detailed information and a helpful FAQ are also available to customers on the website. Alternatively, customers can contact the KIA Motors South Africa Call Centre on 010 596 2000.