Kia, Hyundai Recall Issued Over Hoods That Could Spring Open While Driving
More than 300,000 Kia and Hyundai vehicles are being recalled due to a risk that the hood latch may disengage suddenly, potentially allowing the vehicle’s hood to open while driving and increasing the risk of an auto accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a Kia Sedona recall and a Hyundai Tucson recall on June 10, indicating that a latch problem may cause the hood to spring open while the vehicle is in operation. To date, no injuries or crashes have been linked to the problem.
According to the manufacturers, both vehicles have a separate primary and secondary hood latching assembly, designed to ensure that the hood remains down when the vehicle is in motion. However, both recalled sets of vehicles may be prone to eroding secondary latch assemblies, which may not fully close.
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Learn MoreIf a moving vehicle’s hood releases and opens up toward the windshield, the driver’s view of the roadway will be blocked and it is likely to create a serious hazard.
Owners of the recalled Kia and Hyundai vehicles are encouraged to verify that their hood latches are properly clamped, and to schedule a recall repair appointment as soon as possible.
An estimated 219,800 Kia Sedona vehicles from the 2006 through 2014 model years are impacted by the recall, which were manufactured from June 15, 2005 through April 4, 2014. The latches were manufactured by Kia’s parts supplier Pyeong Hwa Automotive of Korea, where they were installed in vehicles sold across the U.S. at licensed dealers.
The Hyundai recall includes an estimated 81,000 Tucson vehicles from the 2016 model year, which were manufactured from May 19, 2015 to March 14, 2016.
The Kia recall is expected to begin on July 25, and will consist of a full inspection by dealers of the latches to determine whether the secondary latch will be replaced or clean and lubricated to prevent latching failure. Customers with further questions may contact Kia Customers Service at 1-800-333-4542 and reference recall number SC134.
Hyundai announced that owners and dealers will be notified of their recall and plan to replace to the secondary hood latch free of charge beginning on July 15, 2016. Customers with further questions may contact Hyundai Customer Service at 1-855-371-9460 and reference recall number 145.
The NHTSA is encouraging all customers to report safety defects and adverse events to the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or online at www.safecar.gov.
6 Comments
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VNovember 26, 2022 at 10:00 am
PLEASE HELP! I have a Kia Sportage 2011, & last month the hood flew open on the highway & cracked our windshield & bent the hood. How do I get this fixed by Kia? I am on SSI & live below the poverty line @ 800 a month. Thanks V. McNeal
FernandoDecember 14, 2021 at 11:19 am
We have a 2009 Kia Borrego we took it to the dealer> Kia Rodeo in Avondale Arizona to get a key made for it. We were told to make an appointment and bring it in because they had to get the codes to make a key, while the vehicle was at the dealership they checked the fluids etc we had not asked them to do that. My wife leaves the dealership and on the way home the hood flew open , this is on the fr[Show More]We have a 2009 Kia Borrego we took it to the dealer> Kia Rodeo in Avondale Arizona to get a key made for it. We were told to make an appointment and bring it in because they had to get the codes to make a key, while the vehicle was at the dealership they checked the fluids etc we had not asked them to do that. My wife leaves the dealership and on the way home the hood flew open , this is on the freeway we were lucky that we did not get into an accident. The Kia dealership refuses to fix what they obviously caused . They have been rude an uncaring after reading the other post it seems across the board that Kia has no customer service.
BrittanyDecember 4, 2020 at 12:54 pm
This just happen to my husband 2 weeks ago! I called Kia after his coworkers told him that they heard it was happening to other kias. I get online and see they were right! He was going 60 down the interstate on his was to work at 5am and the hood came up and almost broke the windshield. Thank goodness no one else was on the road at 5am.. Kia is running around saying since we are the 3rd owner of t[Show More]This just happen to my husband 2 weeks ago! I called Kia after his coworkers told him that they heard it was happening to other kias. I get online and see they were right! He was going 60 down the interstate on his was to work at 5am and the hood came up and almost broke the windshield. Thank goodness no one else was on the road at 5am.. Kia is running around saying since we are the 3rd owner of the car they can’t do anything.. like are you serious?! My husband could’ve been killed! I feel like they will do anything to get out paying for their mistakes! We have had the car for 6 years now but Kia shame on you! My husband took the Kia that day to fill it up so I would have it the next day to take the dogs out and about with our newborn and toddler.. all I keep thinking is what if he didn’t take it and I just got in the car later that day and went on the interstate (with my kids in the car) and the hood went up (with other cars on the road) what would’ve happen... and Kia doesn’t wanna do anything. Yes the are taking the FULL blame!! But are saying since we are the 3rd owner, there is nothing they can do because the car is out of warranty. Which I didn’t understand because I thought recalls didn’t fall under warranty!
KatieJuly 10, 2020 at 10:45 pm
7/09/2020 I was driving my 2007 Hyundai Entourage 56-57 mph down the road when the hood latch failed and the hood flew up shattering the windshield, breaking the hydraulic hood lift and causing glass to fly into my eye. I contacted Hyundai and they are giving me the run around. Won’t help with towing the vehicle to dealership and said even when I get it there that they are only responsible for the[Show More]7/09/2020 I was driving my 2007 Hyundai Entourage 56-57 mph down the road when the hood latch failed and the hood flew up shattering the windshield, breaking the hydraulic hood lift and causing glass to fly into my eye. I contacted Hyundai and they are giving me the run around. Won’t help with towing the vehicle to dealership and said even when I get it there that they are only responsible for the latches and not the damage caused by the latch failure. I filed a complaint with the NHTSA and I am contacting a lawyer.
alfredJune 5, 2017 at 10:08 pm
We have a 2008 Hyundai entourage , The hood blow open TWICE.. the second time almost cased an accident, The second time the insurgence adjuster noticed that there was NO second catch.. I talked to the Hyundai dealer and they said it is my responsibility to make sure all the safety features are functional. I never heard of this. They than sold me a second hood catch with instruction on how t[Show More]We have a 2008 Hyundai entourage , The hood blow open TWICE.. the second time almost cased an accident, The second time the insurgence adjuster noticed that there was NO second catch.. I talked to the Hyundai dealer and they said it is my responsibility to make sure all the safety features are functional. I never heard of this. They than sold me a second hood catch with instruction on how to install it.. We were sold an UNSAFE car that did not meet federal safety regulation and we are told we are responsible. I am trying to contact Hyundai demanding they buy back this car from us, with no luck. We will never buy another Hyundai.
SarahOctober 6, 2016 at 11:20 pm
This happened to my husband and I while driving 50mph down the road. The hood flew open, shattering the windshield, putting us at serious risk of an awful crash...very scary, especially since I am 5 months pregnant! Thankfully, my husband's quick reactions and driving skills brought us safely to the side of the road, even though we were blinded by the hood. We assumed Kia would step up to the plat[Show More]This happened to my husband and I while driving 50mph down the road. The hood flew open, shattering the windshield, putting us at serious risk of an awful crash...very scary, especially since I am 5 months pregnant! Thankfully, my husband's quick reactions and driving skills brought us safely to the side of the road, even though we were blinded by the hood. We assumed Kia would step up to the plate and quickly get the repairs done, however, we have gotten the full runaround. Looks like we may need to take the next step.