NEWS:   Kia recalls 146,000 U.S. vehicles for airbag issue 
YAHOO NEWS -- January 24  2012

JANUARY  2012 -- Kia Motors America, inc. (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured from September 29, 2005, through January 29, 2008, and model year 2007 and 2008 Kia Rondo vehicles manufactured from September 13, 2006, through March 21, 2008. The clock spring contact assembly for the driver's side air bag supplemental restraint system (srs) may become damaged through usage over time. If the clock spring contact assembly becomes damaged, the driver's air bag electrical circuit will experience a high resistance condition potentially causing the driver's air bag to not deploy. If the clock spring develops high resistance, in the event of a crash, the drivers air bag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's air bag clock spring contact assembly as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during march 2012.   Kia's recall campaign number is sc094. Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to ttp://www.Safercar.Gov .  12V-014

MORE RECALL INFO: 

• Kia Optima
• Kia Rondo

APRIL 2009  --  Huyndai-Kia is recalling 139,844 MY 2006-2007- Sedona, Sportage, Sorento and MY Rondo and Amanti vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A stop lamp switch malfunction may also affect theoperation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light toilluminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed. Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash. Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May and June of 2009. Owners may contact Kia"s Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4542.  09V-130

SEPTEMBER 2008 -- Kia is recalling 6,680 MY 2008-2009 Rondo LX and EX vehicles equipped with a 2.4 liter engine. The fuel pump may not operate properly resulting in not enough fuel getting to the engine. Poor engine starting, engine hesitation and other impairment may result, and the check engine light may illuminate. Unusually severe impairment while driving could expose the driver to the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the fuel pump sub-assembly with an improved part. The recall is expected to begin during October 2008.  08V459