Kia Motors America has issued a voluntary recall for more than 256,000 Kia Soul and Kia Soul EV compact model SUVs in the U.S. due to a potential steering problem that could dramatically increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
The recall covers certain Soul hatchbacks from 2014-2016 model years, according to Cars.com.
The problem appears to be rooted in the adhesive Kia uses to attach the Soul's steering pinion gear to the steering gear assembly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the adhesive used may not be strong enough to hold the two parts together, causing the vehicle to become difficult to control if they separate.
Kia said it learned about the problem after getting warranty reports from its dealers. The automaker, however, knows of no crashes or injuries associated with it, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Kia says it will mail recall notices to owners no later than Dec. 22. After receiving those notices, owners will be able to take their vehicles to Kia dealers, who will inspect and replace a steering plug if necessary, reported The Car Connection. The NHTSA announced that a bolt will also be installed for additional reinforcement.
Owners of any of the affect vehicles are encouraged to contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542 and ask about recall SC125. They may also call NHTSA at 888-327-4236 and ask about safety campaign 15V736000.
