Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | ||||||
| RQ03007 | HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC | 10/14/2003 | 02/27/2004 | SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION | 04V305000 | |
| Information received and analyzed during this rq disclosed that my 1999 and 2000 kia sephia and sportage vehicles were equipped with modified versions of the same safety belt latch assembly as those recalled in campaign no. 02v-216.these latch assemblies were identified as type a97. odi analyses indicate a continuing trend of consumer complaints following a series of design modifications made by kia to improve the a97 latch assembly.my 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles were equipped with different design latch assemblies (type db-6 or autoliv) and exhibit a much lower complaint count.this rq has been upgraded to an ea in order to further investigate this matter for the subject vehicles equipped with type a97 latch assemblies. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS | |||
| 02/12/2004 | 5 | ||
| When attempting to unlock the seat belt on the front passenger side and rear right passenger side the seat belts would not unlock. consumer took the vehicle back to the dealership for inspection, and the mechanic was able to release the seat belts. *ak | |||
| 1 | 09/18/2002 | ||
| On sept. 18, 2002, we purchased a 2002 kia sportage. upon completion of paper work, i questioned dealer about a seat belt extender as original installed seat belt would not fit comfortably around my large frame. unlike ford & chevrolet, we were told that kia did not make seat belt extenders! the next day i immediately phoned kia manufacturers main office, and again was told they did not make seat belt extenders, they couldn't help me. i called the dealer and told him we had just made a purchase on a brand new vehicle that now i could not drive safely. had we known that a seat belt extender could not be provided, we would not have purchased the vehicle. we do take financial responsibility, but it is state law in missouri that a seat belt be worn while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. the ramification without a seat belt in a crash in front of an airbag is not something i think any car manufacturer wants to be responsible for in a court of law should a crash occur and an airbag inflate. the bottom line: i need a seat belt extender for my kia sportage, like chevrolet and ford offer for safety while riding in a vehicle. (documentation - 10/10/2002). **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768337 | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | |||
| 1 | |||
| Consumers stated while traveling 35-40 mph vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. driver's side seat belt disengaged from buckle assembly releasing the consumer. *ak | |||
| SEAT BELTS - REAR | |||
| 12/30/2006 | 1 | 10/13/2005 | |
| Both driver & passenger-side rear seat belt assemblies are defective. passenger-side seat belt has been inoperable since shortly after i bought it in 2005. driver-side seat belt has had sporadic problems in the last six months & within the last week has been inoperable. *jb | |||
| 04/23/2002 | 3 | 09/01/2001 | |
| Windows lock and shake, driver's side door swings open, passenger door does not shut properly, back seat belts-only 1 works, driver's doesn't lock properly. *ak | |||