Kia recalls 70,000 Optimas in the US over rollaway fears

Kia recalls 70,000 Optimas in the US over rollaway fears

More on defects and recalls. Kia is recalling 70,115 Optima sedans in the US over over concerns that automatic transmission shift cables were improperly assembled, which in the worst case scenario can cause a parked car to roll away. It concerns models assembled between September 2005 and June 2007.

Last November, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into rollaway concerns on the 2007 model year Optima. NHTSA said it received three complaints about automatic transmission shift cable detachment and inability to select/engage the gears – P, D and R. One of the complaints were of a rollaway incident.

The Korean carmaker has “concluded that this condition has not been creating real world safety incidents. However, it has concluded that under extraordinary circumstances a significant vehicle rolling event could potentially occur and has thus decided to conduct a recall,” the company said.

Kia has also identified that certain Optima vehicles had been manufactured with the shift cable connection improperly attached to the shifter assembly and changed its manufacturing procedures.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Ash Menon on Mar 18, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    2005-2007 year? phew. This is before Kia’s renaissance. I thought for sure the Korean bashers going to come out in full swing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • scoobylution on Mar 18, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    we can see this model quite a lot as a KLIA taxi in Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • I drive a Maserati on Mar 21, 2011 at 1:02 pm

      If all KLIA tax are KIA Optima, it will only benefit everyone and I am sure many people will be very happy. KIA is surely better than Proton.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Kimchee begin to rotten

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • a high quality product from one of the ‘biggest’ and ‘best’ car manufacturer in the world.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • can someone tell me why does it take so long for a car company to realized something was wrong in one of their models??? especially an older model.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • LOL………

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • fuel cell phone on Mar 18, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    hopefully “banana not fruit two time” for the new optima huhuhu

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • sick&tired on Mar 18, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    i totally disagree. this was the beginning of the renaissance! the 2nd generation kia optima was an under rated car in malaysia. the front end may be a bit plain (the malaysian version with the smoked headlamp does look good though), but the interior quality and theta engine was one of the main selling point. the theta engine was developed by GEMA which also supplies engines to Mitsubishi. so basically the new lancer and optima uses the same engine block!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • squawk on Mar 18, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    The NHTSA only received 3 complaints about the ’07 Optima only last year? That’s kinda slow isn’t it?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required