Kia says that no defect has been found in its Theta II MDI engine, but that it will install a knock sensor to "mitigate an unreasonable fire risk"
Kia’s engines are once again at the heart of a safety concern, and it is being encouraged to initiate a recall due to the heightened risk of fire. The action will affect 79,812 Sorentos from the 2011 model year that were not equipped with a knock sensor.
The issue relates to a wider investigation into Kia and Hyundai vehicles from the 2011 to 2016 model years that was launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It was prompted by reports of fires in vehicles that had not been involved in collisions.
In documents released by NHTSA, Kia stated that, after an information request in 2022, it determined that there was no safety defect trend that warranted a recall. However, this year, the regulator advised Kia to initiate a recall for 2011 Sorentos equipped with the Theta II 2.4-liter MPI (multipoint injection) engine, and Kia complied.
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According to NHTSA, it is aware of a total of 161 fires that occurred in vehicles equipped with the engine, as well as several burns and injuries. Kia writes that neither a design defect, nor a specific manufacturing error have been found in the Sorento, but admits that it is recalling the vehicles to “mitigate an unreasonable fire risk due to potential engine damage.”
The document states that there are numerous reasons for this elevated risk, and in certain instances, owners may receive warning signs of an impending engine failure, such as unusual engine noises, the illumination of the check engine light, the presence of a burning smell, or even smoke.
Read: Kia And Hyundai Set Aside $2 Billion Over Engine Recalls
To minimize the potential fire risk, Kia has initiated a recall for specific 2011 Sorentos. Beginning on February 9, the company will contact owners, instructing them to bring their SUVs to a nearby dealership. There, a knock sensor detection system will be installed at no charge, and if needed, the engine will be replaced. This should help the vehicles detect an impending engine failure.
In addition, after the sensor is installed, Kia will offer extended warranty coverage for 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever occurs first, for related engine block repairs.
