NEWS:   Kia recalls 70,000 Optimas for transmission defect

YAHOO NEWS -- March 11,  2011 – Kia Motors is recalling more than 70,000 Optima midsize sedans to fix transmission problems that can cause the cars to roll even while they're in park.

The cars are from the 2006 through 2008 model years and were built from Sept. 29, 2005 to June 13, 2007.

In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kia said that on some of the cars, a transmission shifter cable was installed incorrectly and can become detached from the shifter. If the cable comes off, the car would stay in the last gear used even if the driver puts the transmission in park, the documents said.

"If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll, creating the risk of a crash," Kia said.

No injuries have been reported from the problem, but Kia has concluded that under "extraordinary circumstances" the cars could roll inadvertently.

Kia plans to start the recall this month and will notify owners by mail. Drivers will be told to always use the parking brake when shifting the transmission into park "especially until they can take their vehicle to the dealer," the documents said.

MORE RECALL INFO:   Kia Optima

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MARCH 2011 -- Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Optima vehicles manufactured from September 29, 2005, through June 13, 2007. There is a possibility that the shift cable may have been installed incorrectly, causing tension in the cable. If present, this condition could cause the cable to detach from the shifter assembly's dowel pin preventing the transmission from being shifted. The shift lever can then be moved into the park (P) position while the vehicle's transmission is still in the last used gear before detachment. f the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, there is a possibility that the vehicle can roll injure a person in its path or cause a crash. Dealers will inspect the shift cable and reinstall if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on March 23, 2011.    11V-153

NEWS:   NHTSA opens investigations into Honda, Kia vehicles

DETROIT NEWS -- November 29,  2010 –  Washington— The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened investigations into electrical issues on the 2006 Honda CR-V and shifting issues with the 2007 Kia Optima.

The probes — both opened after just three complaints — are the latest examples of how federal safety regulators are opening more investigations into potential safety issues than in recent years and moving faster than in the past.

In the first, NHTSA is investigating 150,000 2006 Honda CR-V models after reports of melting or burning of the master power window switch and related electrical system wiring components. All three complaints alleged fires in the driver's door related to the driver's master power window switch.

Separately, NHTSA is also probing 41,000 2007 Kia Optima models over complaints that the automatic transmission shift cable may detach from the shifter assembly. If this occurs, the transmission gear shifter becomes inoperative.

NHTSA said it had received three complaints concerning automatic transmission shift cable detachment and inability to engage the gears (park, drive and reverse) in model year 2007 Kia Optima vehicles. "One of the complaints also reported is a rollaway incident after parking the vehicle," NHTSA said.

In 2007, Kia Motors issued a technical service bulletin concerning incorrectly installed automatic transmission shift cables in certain model year 2006 and 2007 Kia Optima vehicles. The bulletin said that over time these cables can detach from the shifter assemblies' dowel pins resulting in the inability to select or engage drive gears. NHTSA noted that difficulty engaging park may also occur.

Honda and Kia didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.

NHTSA came under harsh criticism from Congress earlier this year in the wake of Toyota Motor Corp.'s sudden acceleration issues and the disclosure that NHTSA had not done more to force Toyota to make fixes in response to complaints.

MORE RECALL INFO: 

• 2006 Honda CR-V
• 2007 Kia Optima

MAY 2009 -- Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) is recalling 36,538 Model Year 2001-2004 Optima vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,  Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Road salt applied in these states during the winter months may result in progressive, internal corrosion of the front subframe. Over time, such subframe corrosion near the connection to the lower control arm can lead to wheel misalignment and/or other noticeable stress in steering, or accelerated abnormal tire wear. Corrosion of the front subframe could lead to separation, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash. KMC will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during June 2009.  09V-183