Kia's all-new Seltos SUV and funky Soul are among the cars being recalled due to a fire hazard. According to documents Kia filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week, the problem affects 2020-2021 models.
See also: Kia releases teaser for its new EV6 vehicle
Kia is recalling 147,249 vehicles Soul and Seltos due to a fire hazard and possible engine failure while driving. The vehicles most affected are those with a “ 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine .” During manufacturing , the supplier failed to apply the correct heat treatment, resulting in a problem with the vehicles.
See also: Mercedes recalls nearly 1.3 million cars
As for the fire risk, because oil consumption increases due to the above issue, oil can leak into surrounding components and cause a fire. Owners may see the oil pressure warning light come on if the vehicle experiences this issue. Unusual engine noises and increased oil consumption are indications of a problem. Kia said it has not received any reports of fires or injuries related to this issue and estimates that only 1% of the recalled cars are actually affected.
See also: Tesla: Called to recall cars due to problematic displays
However, if the mechanic finds this issue in the Kia Seltos and Soul, the entire engine will need to be replaced. Kia will take care of all the labor and parts at no charge to the customer, but it will require a lot of work. The company will also install new software to better track the issue. Owners of affected vehicles will begin receiving notifications in early June.
Source: CNET
