An airbag defect is tied to six crashes, according to NHTSA, in which four people died and six were injured. Kia Motors Corp announced today that the company is recalling more than a half million vehicles in the United States Kia to fix a defect that may cause airbags and seat belts to malfunction in a crash.
The recall follows an announcement in March by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it was investigating why some air bags had failed to deploy. The problem also impacted Hyundai, which is affiliated with Kia.
Kia’s recall covers 2010-2013 Kia Fortes, 2011-2013 Kia Optimas and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. The company said the air bag control unit may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners, which pull the driver and front seat passenger firmly back into their seats, from deploying.
The company said it does not yet have a fix, but is working with its supplier on the issue. Kia’s recall is scheduled to begin on July 27. Hyundai has said it will notify owners through mid-June.
Search your VIN to see if your vehicle is among those listed on the recall.
Auto recalls can cause catastrophic injuries and death and often leave families with the right to pursue a claim. As one of the leading catastrophic personal injury law firms in California, Callahan & Blaine has obtained numerous record-breaking verdicts and settlements in cases like this, helping bring some small justice to the aggrieved family. If you or someone you know has suffered a catastrophic injury or died as the result of an auto recall, contact the best personal injury attorneys in Orange County for expert legal counsel.