Kia Motors America has recalled 342,381 Souls once again due to an unsuccessful steering issue fix that took place the first time. The first instance was in November 2015, making this the second recall in a span of two years. The recall is stated for the models manufactured between July 21, 2013 and September 30, 2015. These include the Soul and Soul EV's.
According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the pinion plug is not safely secured. This means the pinion gear could separate from the steering gear assembly, resulting in a loss of steering control. Despite identifying and acknowledging the issue previously, they were not able to rectify the problem completely. As per the report, "The driver will hear a clunking noise from the steering rack while turning the steering wheel."
Kia issued a statement saying that they are not aware of any injuries caused by the issue. Depending on the car, Kia will either secure the pinion plug correctly or, if required, replace the whole steering assembly. Dealers will begin recalling the affected cars in mid-November. While this is a voluntary recall, it may be noted that customers who have paid for the first repair will be reimbursed.
Author's Take
A well-known brand like Kia cannot let such mistakes happen. This is something that shouldn't have occurred in the first place. Since the recall is for the same problem, the customers won't have a peace of mind even after the second fix. The risk associated with an issue like this is life-threatening. But, on the other hand, Kia must be appreciated for committing to customer safety and accepting their mistake publically. They are willing to even replace the steering assembly if need be. All that matters, in the end, is that the problem is rectified and there are no injuries as a result of this potentially dangerous problem.
References
Kia Soul
Read our full driven review on the 2015 Kia Soul Electric.
Read our full review on the 2015 Kia Soul Electric.
Read our full review on the 2015 Kia Soul.