• 14
  • February
    2012

Korean auto manufacturer Kia recently announced that it is recalling more than 145,000 cars in order to repair a defective part that could cause the driver's side airbag to malfunction. This defective equipment potentially impacts driver safety throughout the country, including New York.

Kia Models Involved in Recall

The models being recalled include over 95,000 Optimas from model years 2006 through 2008 and about 50,000 since-discontinued 2007-08 Rondo crossovers. Owners who see a glowing airbag warning light on the car dashboard will be given priority in fixing the problem.

The warning light goes on when something goes wrong with the electrical connections that are used to deploy an airbag in a car accident. A vital part in the driver's side airbag system is called the clock spring contact assembly. This part sits below the steering wheel in the steering column, and it allows the steering wheel to turn in each direction while keeping electrical contact with the airbag wiring. After many repetitions, turning the steering wheel can cause a defective clock spring contact assembly to fail prematurely, which triggers the warning light. If the light is not on, the airbag system is functioning normally and the driver is protected.

The cars with the warning light on will be fixed first in order to ensure there are enough parts for the most urgent cases. Owners of every potentially affected Optima and Rondo will be receiving notices from Kia in March and can bring their vehicles to a dealer for a new clock spring contact assembly.

Kia's recall follows on the heels of recalls by other manufacturers whose cars have a similar defect. Chrysler identified potential issues with clock spring contact assemblies on some of its Wranglers manufactured from 2008 through 2012, and it will provide a new assembly or a better housing for the assembly. Hyundai also has recently recalled vehicles with airbag electrical system defects. These recalls need to be taken very seriously as safety equipment malfunctions can lead to severe injuries in car accidents.