- Kia is recalling over 100,000 Sportage and Carnival models over an issue stemming from the roof molding.
- The recall covers 101,049 vehicles spanning from the 2022 to 2024 model years, and according to documents filed with NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) it’s estimated to affect 1 percent of recalled vehicles.
- According to NHTSA documents, the roof molding of affected vehicles may loosen and detach, leading to an increased risk of an accident.
Kia is issuing a recall with NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) that includes over 100,000 Sportage and Carnival models. The issue causing the recall stems from the roof molding. According to documents filed with NHTSA, the roof molding of affected vehicles may detach from the rest of the car, resulting in an increasing risk of a crash.
Interestingly, although the recall for both vehicles is the same, they originate from separate factories. The Sportage recall spans 40,426 vehicles from 2023-2023 and impacts cars built in Georgia, while the Carnival recall spans 60,623 vehicles from 2022-2024 and impacts cars built in Korea. According to NHTSA documents, only one percent of the vehicles in the recall are estimated to be defective.
Documents filed with NHTSA state that the roof molding may become loose or detach from the vehicle either due to interference of the roof molding retaining clips with excessive roof panel sealer or due to improper installation of the roof molding while the vehicles were being assembled.
Owners with affected vehicles will be notified by mail in March, though concerned owners can check if their vehicles are impacted on the NHTSA recall website. Affected owners can bring their vehicles to a Kia dealership where they can be inspected and, if necessary, repair or replace the roof moldings for free.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.