The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kia Sephia | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
| Kia Sportage | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 |
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sephia | 1995 | 64 | 1 |
| Kia Sephia | 1996 | 118 | 1 |
| Kia Sephia | 1997 | 205 | 1 |
| Kia Sephia | 1998 | 491 | 6 |
| Kia Sportage | 1995 | 56 | 2 |
| Kia Sportage | 1996 | 57 | 3 |
| Kia Sportage | 1997 | 181 | 3 |
| Kia Sportage | 1998 | 303 | 3 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2002
23 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the seat belts; KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. filed 38 campaigns in all.
| 02V160008 21 Nov 2002 | XPLORER MTR HM/FRANK DIV. |
| 02V290000 5 Nov 2002 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 02V160009 31 Oct 2002 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 02V160006 29 Oct 2002 | CHAMPION BUS, INC. |
| 02V160005 22 Oct 2002 | DODGEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V160007 21 Oct 2002 | NATIONAL VAN SALES, INC. |
| 02V160004 18 Oct 2002 | ELDORADO NATIONAL |
| 02V160003 16 Oct 2002 | COACH AND EQUIPMENT MFG CORP |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002