NEWS:
Gov't probing steering
problems in 2010 Kia Soul
YAHOO NEWS -- AUGUST 16, 2010 -- The 2010
Kia Soul, a boxy vehicle that has been
marketed to urban motorists, is being
investigated by government regulators for
potential loss of steering control.
The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration said
Monday on its website that it had received
one complaint alleging complete steering
loss. The preliminary investigation covers
more than 50,000 vehicles.
The complaint
said the steering shaft detached from the
steering wheel, leading to a complete loss
of steering, and the shaft fell into a
position that interfered with the driver's
ability to brake.
The
government agency seldom opens an
investigation based on one complaint but
said it was "very concerned about this
failure in that it occurred without warning
on a new vehicle at low mileage and resulted
in a complete loss of steering as well as a
compromised brake system."
The owner who
filed the complaint had driven the vehicle
for two months and had 4,300 miles on it.
John Crowe,
Kia Motors America's vice president for
service, said in a statement the company was
cooperating with the investigation and
trying to determine if there was a
manufacturing cause to the problem. He said
the incident that led to the complaint did
not result in an accident or injury.
The South
Korean automaker launched the Soul in early
2009 and has posted strong sales for the
funky compact wagon, helped by a memorable
advertising campaign featuring rapping
hamsters dressed in baggy clothes and
hoodies.
The Soul was
among 27 vehicles from the 2010 model year
that received the "top safety pick" award
from the Virginia-based Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety. Vehicles are selected
for providing the best protection in front,
side and rear crash tests based on Institute
evaluations during the year.
MORE
RECALL INFO:
Kia Soul
