A lot of warranty claims but no injuries thus far.
Kia Motors America is recalling more than 72,000 Rio subcompact cars because the passenger side occupant sensor can fail with the possibility that a child could be hurt if the airbag deploys. Model year 2006-2008 cars are affected by the safety defect although no injuries have been reported.
When the sensor fails, it illuminates airbag light on the instrument panel. More than 9,000 warranty claims going back to 2006 have been reported. Kia said in the required filing with NHTSA that its Korean parent company had repeatedly said that no recall was needed. NHTSA had flagged the issue because of the rising number of warranty claims.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat sensor mat, free of charge as is required by NHTSA regulations. The recall is expected to begin during July 2012. owners may contact Kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542 about Kia’s safety recall SC097. Customers can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
