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Kia recalls 507,000 vehicles in U.S. for airbag issues

WASHINGTON — Kia Motors Corp said on Friday it was recalling more than 507,000 vehicles in the United States because an electronic glitch may prevent airbags from deploying in a crash. The recall follows an announcement in March by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it was investigating why some airbags had failed to deploy in Kia vehicles and its affiliate Hyundai after crashes in which four people were killed and another six were injured. The two Korean automakers have now recalled nearly 1.1 million U.S. vehicles to address the issue. NHTSA said in March that it was aware of six serious crashes in which airbags failed to deploy in frontal crashes, including four in 2011 model Hyundai Sonatas and two in 2012 and 2013 Kia Forte vehicles. The crash of the 2013 Forte occurred in Canada. Kia's recall issued on Friday covers 2010-2013 Kia Fortes, 2011-2013 Kia Optimas and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. The company said the airbag control unit may short circuit because they may be susceptible to electrical overstress, preventing the frontal airbags and seat belt pretensioners, which pull the driver and front seat passenger firmly back into their seats, from deploying. The company said it does not yet have a fix, but is working with its supplier on the issue. Kia spokesman James Bell said the company "is attempting to have a remedy by the scheduled owner notification date of July 27. If Kia does not have a remedy by that date or if any customer feels unsafe in his/her vehicle, we will provide a rental car until the repair has been completed." Hyundai in February issued a recall for 154,000 U.S. Sonatas after non-deployment reports were linked to electrical overstress in the air bag control unit. In April, Hyundai recalled an additional 425,000 U.S. vehicles to address the same issue. Hyundai said in March that it was aware of reports of two deaths in its vehicles, which occurred in head-on collisions at extremely high rates of speed. NHTSA said the airbag control module under investigation was built by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a German auto supplier. ZF said on Friday that it has worked with Kia and "continues to cooperate and support NHTSA and its customers in the investigation." The safety agency also said that electrical overstress appeared to be the root cause in a 2016 recall by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV of 1.4 million U.S. vehicles for airbag non-deployments in significant frontal crashes.

Kia teaming up with DUB to bring modified Stinger GT and K900 to SEMA

SEMA kicks off this week, so continue to look for all manner of modified cars, trucks and SUVs. For years, SEMA was ruled by aftermarket companies — it isn't called the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association for nothing — but in recent years, the automakers themselves have used the show as an opportunity to showcase a variety of fun but often garish modified vehicles. This year, Kia is bringing a pair of cars that appear to fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. All we have right now are a few teaser images of a bright blue Kia K900 and a silver over red and black Kia Stinger GT. Kia has teamed with DUB, one of the most famous aftermarket outfitters in the business, to design the vehicles. The K900 has been updated with gloss black accents, 24-inch wheels, a blue and black interior, air suspension and a "specially developed multimedia setup." We'll be disappointed if that doesn't mean TVs in the headrests. The Stinger GT will have 22-inch wheels, a custom intake and exhaust, air suspension and a redone interior. We won't have any other details until the cars are fully revealed at Kia's press conference, but stay tuned to the site this week for more SEMA coverage from Kia and other automakers and suppliers. Related Video: Featured Gallery DUB 2019 Kia Stinger GT: SEMA 2018 View 11 Photos Related Gallery DUB 2019 Kia K900: SEMA 2018 View 9 Photos Related Gallery Kia SEMA 2018 News Source: KiaImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2018 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Aftermarket Design/Style SEMA Show Kia Sedan kia k900 kia stinger gt kia stinger

Refreshed Kia Optima Hybrid continues to blend good looks and efficiency

With all the excitement at the Kia stand surrounding the new Soul EV, it's easy to forget that there were other cars on display at the Korean marque's Chicago Auto Show display. The Niro Concept from the Frankfurt Motor Show made an appearance, but the other production model on display was the refreshed Optima Hybrid (which was tucked away in a corner).
Like the standard Optima, which was refreshed at the 2013 New York Auto Show last year, the hybridized sedan gets a slightly restyled face and rear end. As we told you in our official post on the car yesterday, the gas-electric powertrain of the 2014 Optima Hybrid still deploys 199 total system horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. Buyers of the base LX car will net 36 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway, while the upmarket EX loses a mile per gallon in both environments.
Have a look at our live gallery of the new Optima Hybrid, from the floor of the Chicago Auto Show.