Kia, Peugeot, Hyundai recall vehicles

Our Reporter

Hyundai Motors and its Kia Motors affiliate have initiated a voluntary safety recall for more than 2.2 million vehicles in North America – including more than 361,000 in Canada – for problems related to air bags and brake light safety switches.

The bigger recall – almost 2.1 million vehicles – is to fix a problem with a switch that might stop the brake lights from illuminating when drivers press the brake pedal. This recall affects most of the Korean automakers’ models from the 2007 to 2011 model years.

Also, the 2019 Peugeot Expert (KO series) van has been recalled in Australia due to two distinct faults.

More than 361,000 of the affected vehicles were sold in Canada – about 255,000 Hyundais and 106,098 Kias.

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the switch problem might also “cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal.”

Spokespeople for Hyundai Canada and Kia Canada said there have been “some” complaints but said there are no known reports of accidents or injuries.

Hyundai said it will send notifications to owners in June, as soon as enough replacements parts are available. Kia said it will send its notifications in May. Hyundai and Kia dealers will replace the switches free of charge.

Vehicles affected by the brake light switch recall include: Accent and Tucson, 2007 to 2009 model years; Elantra, 2007 to 2010 model years; Sonata, 2011 model year; Santa Fe, 2007 to 2011 model years; Veracruz, 2008 and 2009 model years; Genesis Coupe, 2010 and 2011 model years; Kia Rondo and Sportage, 2007 to 2010 model years; Optima, 2011 model year; Sorrento, 2007 to 2011 model years; Soul, 2010 and 2011 model years and Sedona, 2007 model year.

The other recall involves 186,254 Hyundai Elantras from the 2011 to 2013 model years sold in the U.S. No Canadian vehicles are involved.  That recall is to fix a potential air bag problem.

ADVERTISEMENT

“A support bracket attached to the headliner may become displaced during a side curtain airbag deployment,” the NHTSA says. That could cause passengers to be cut. Hyundai dealers will notify owners. Adhesive strips will be applied free of charge, beginning in May.

According to Peugeot Australia, 25 examples have been affected by a fuel supply fault, while 42 have been affected by a rear brake fault.

The fuel supply recall and the rear brake recall were filed separately with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

“The fuel supply and return pipes located under the body may become damaged over time,” the first reads.

“The rear brake hose may become damaged over time, due to relative movement between the hose and holding clip,” according to the second.

Affected cars were sold between  December 1, 2018 and  May 31, 2019.

According to Peugeot Australia the recalls are precautionary, and there have been no known instances of fault recorded in Australia.