Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - LINKAGES
99V271000KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.from 09/03/1997 to 01/29/1999V (Vehicle)9005411/19/1999ODIHYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC10/06/199910/26/1999
Defect SummaryVehicle description: passenger vehicles. the ball socket on the windshield wiper link may be out of tolerance resulting in the link disengaging from the wiper motor drive under load, such as pushing against ice, snow or other resistance. also the wiper arm retaining nut could be inadequately tightened allowing the wiper arm to slip and/or stop functioning.
Consequence SummaryThis condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the windshield wiper link and also properly tighten the wiper arm retaining nuts.
NotesKia recall no. sc012.owner notification began november 19, 1999. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-949-470-7000.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
VISIBILITY
PE99033HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC05/06/199910/21/1999WINDSHIELD WIPER99V271000
 Alleged windshield wiper becomes inoperative when the wiper arm and pivot separate

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM
01/30/200119830102/07/2001
 Pre owned vehicle purchased in very good condition and still in very good condition. at purchase front of dashboard was slightly warped. since purchase, front of dashboard has become increasingly warped, defrost vents are severely cracked, causing front windshield defrost not to function properly.*jb
103/23/1999
 The passenger air vents are broken. *yh
1
 A/c and defrost do not work correctly. nlm
12/01/199809/01/1998
 Since the time that i have purchased this car it has been falling apart. the car is constantly shutting down or it just won't start. at this present time my car is sittting at stonemountain kia whereas it is in need a third battery all within less than a years time. eventhough they know the dangerous history of this car that i purchased new, they continually return the car to me without doing a safety check. i have had my car towed to their location several times in the same week because they have felled to fix the problem. once again my car is continually suffering from the same problems that are continuing to grow worst. the air conditioning system fails to work properly. the driveshaft is always sticking in the gears. the air bag light continually blink and stay on for periods at a time. the exhaust still making loud noise that i have complained about since i brought the car. the engine jerks and the car is burning a lot of gas. the battery acid continues to leak out into the car. the air vents broke just from a slight touch and so did the knob that control the air circulation. the car is constantly stalling. the car shakes badly when pressing on the brakes. firestone refuses to work on kia's because they are aware of all the faulty system pertaining to kia's. lation
02/25/1999101/01/1999
 Defroster does not work properly causing poor visibility. *mjs
03/22/1999103/30/1998
 A/c vents won't work. nlm
06/23/1998103/30/1998
 A/c vents fell out. nlm
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - REAR WINDOW
03/15/1999206/09/1998
 Rear window defogger repaired once however continues to fail. mjs
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - BLOWER
11/24/200350000311/01/1998
 Dear sir: kia sephia 1998 has several other problems which never been reported. my car (vin# knafb1217w5754957; 52,000 miles) has (1) an oil leak from the engine head (valve cover) gasket, which can potentially create a fire, and it has (2) very pure air flow on the windshield which reduce my driving visability due to fog accumulation inside of the wiendshield. both conditions are very dangerous and may lead to a car crash. please inform kia manufacturing corporation that these deficiencies should be fixed for free. thanks! sincerely, igor grachev 15 reid lane manalapan, nj 07726. *ak
04/20/20001
 Fan motor failed causing the customer to smell a burning odor coming from behind the glove box and under the hood. nlm
VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE
1107/29/1998
 Premature wear of brake pads and rotors. dealer has repaired and replaced the brakes several times.*ak in addition heater core, alternator, starter,spark plugs, front windshield and door weather strips failed. *yh
VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR
09/08/200218000109/22/1998
 While in motion, the drivers side window cracked in to very small pieces. *jg *jb
01/18/1999401/14/1999
 Water leak from rear glass window shorted out the fuel pump wires causing the vehicle not to start.
VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
09/04/1999
 The power windows & door locks would go up & down on their own. the doors are not locked securely. the windows fail to remain close or open when this happens. the steering wheel would vibrate after vehicle is started. whenever the brakes are applied, vehicle shakes. the tire moulding & the trim is peeling off. every time the vehicle stops, it would to be jump started, constantly. taking vehicle back to dealer to repair problems. *ak
VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
1107/29/1998
 Premature wear of brake pads and rotors. dealer has repaired and replaced the brakes several times.*ak in addition heater core, alternator, starter,spark plugs, front windshield and door weather strips failed. *yh
VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES - INTERIOR
06/01/1999102/04/1999
 Rear view mirror broke off. yh
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD
02/01/19991
 Windshield cracked when heat was turned on. yh
08/03/199909/01/1998
 Since purchased the mv has been in shop for numerous (13+) problems and defects. my concern over safety issues has been dismissed or given many different answers. dealership does not always gives repair order slips whenever the car is looked at or serviced. the safety and dependability of this mv is questionnable given the number of times in the repair shop. dealership/manufacturer's representative claims nothing wrong, although manufacuter's representative did offer reimbursement of 3 car payments. the issue of the lack of deceleration has still to be resolved. as a female consumer, i feel that i am being taken advantage of by both the dealer and manufacturer. i believe that this particular vehicle is a lemon and in all likelihood will continue to problems in the future.
 Windshield glass is too thin, causing stress cracks while driving. *ak
09/02/199806/06/1998
 Vehicle vibrates due to warped front brake rotors/pads. also, defective windshield/plastic pieces on seats sticking and digging into skin, and sttering wheel rubbe rloose on spokes. ak
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
01/22/1999210/01/1998
 Glogged nozzle caused the washer to be inopertive, the nozzles were also misadjusted. nlm
03/01/1999
 In 2 years i had to get a new transmission, replace my brakes 6 times, service engine problems 7 times, fuel pump, 8 recalls, wipers, new tires, and many other problems... copies of repairs are available upon request. i have also been discriminated against by the dealer many times.
08/25/19981
 Signal lights fail to work properly when in use during cold weather for 15 minutes or so. sometimes this happens when it's raining. the dealer replaced the hazard switch and there have not been any failures since. seat belts have been replaced 3 times. brakes and rotors have been replaced 3 times. windshield wipers failed prior to recall. head gasket replaced at 3500 miles. molding on the doors fell off and was replaced. tailpipe was replaced due to excessive exhaust fumes. *slc
503/01/1998
 Driver side wiper link falls off when windshield gets alittle dry & wipers start to drag
1
 Windshield wipers failed. nlm
01/21/2000106/01/1998
 Wipers failed. yh
11/02/19992
 Windshield wiper blades failed. yh
1
 Windshield washer nozzle failed. nlm
1
 Windshield sprayer failed. *mjs
1
 Windshield wipers are not attached properly. nlm
02/01/1999105/14/1998
 Consumer hears grinding noise when turning on wipers. nlm
09/01/1998
 When gently braking at high speeds, the steering wheel shakes badly. also, when braking to a stop, the car does not stop smoothly. it jerks and vibrates when the brakes are used until i come to a complete stop. the roters have been replaced once already. one winter morning, i noticed that my windshield wipers were not working. upon closer inspection, i found that they had somehow loosened. fortunately, there was no precipitation that day. when having the problem looked at by one of kia's service centers, the guy there indicated that the problem was common.
05/15/1999110/01/1998
 Brakes have been replaced discs warped and pads depleted. also, windshield wipers quit during a snow storm, drivers side only. dealer fixed but we were admonished about using wipers during heavy snow storm. duh?
304/12/1998
 Front brake rotors warping/ stripping of windshield wiper gears/ speedometer head broken.
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - LINKAGES
04/27/19993
 Dealer refuses to perform recall repair (99v-271) of the windshield wiper because consumer installed after market blades. nlm
 Received recall notice 99v271000/windshield wiper linkage pivot drive. contacted dealership for appointment. was informed no parts were available. would call when parts were in. *ak
111/09/1998
 Recalled windshield wiper repair completed however consumer feels they still don't operate properly. nlm
03/08/200004/10/1999
 Car needs front axles. also, motor mounts were replaced along with flywheel and fuel pump. in addition, consumer just received a recall notice 99v271/ winshield wiper linkage. car is 1 year old and has 26000 miles, owner has already experienced many problems with it. *ak *ml
04/27/19993
 Dealer refuses to perform recall repair (99v-271) of the windshield wiper because consumer installed after market blades. nlm
12/18/1998107/13/1998
 Windshield wipers failed.
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR
03/06/1999
 Windshield wiper motor came loose while consumer was driving and windshield wipers stopped working. contacted dealer . please provide more information.*ak
 Consumer received recall letter 99v271000 for a windshield wiper motor. dealer has not received the correction parts. *ak
04/07/1999103/30/1998
 Windshield wipers inoperative. nlm
10/16/1998103/30/1998
 Windshield wiper inoperative. nlm
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - SWITCH/WIRING
 Consumer received recall notices 99v318000 and 99v271000. consumer contacted the dealer, dealer has yet to take care of the recalls. also, dealer has been contacted on a number of occasions. *ak