UK RECALL #1 - KIA - The brand volentarily recalls all 2014 and most of 2015's Souls and EV Souls for steering issues.

• Fault on current generation Kia Soul steering gear assembly leads Kia to voluntarily issue a precautionary recall
• All affected vehicles will be repaired at no expense to owners

Kia Motors UK Ltd is voluntarily recalling all Soul and Soul EV vehicles produced between 18 January 2014 and 30 September 2015, as a precautionary measure. This is due to a potential fault which, in extreme circumstances, could cause the steering to fail.

Through ongoing monitoring of field data, Kia Motors has determined that an adhesive with insufficient bonding strength was used during assembly, this may cause a pinion plug that secures the pinion gear to the steering gear assembly to loosen. If the plug loosens sufficiently, the pinion gear may separate from the steering gear assembly, which could cause a loss of steering.

The number of UK Soul and Soul EV vehicles affected stands at 5,707. All these vehicles will be repaired at no expense to the owner, this process will begin immediately. Kia Motors UK will notify owners via post and email, suggesting they take their vehicle to their nearest Kia dealership where the pinion plug will be secured or replaced, ordinarily within one hour.

At present there is no evidence of this potential defect causing any injuries or accidents to any customers in the UK or globally, there have also been no reports or complaints of vehicle defects from any Kia Soul customers relating to this issue.

If any Kia Soul customers have questions at this stage they are encouraged to liaise with our customer service team, contactable via telephone (0333 202 2990).

USA RECALL - JEEP - The Cherokee is being recalled for moisture ingress on power Tailgate modules/Components.

FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 32,784 SUVs in the U.S. to install improved shields that better protect their power liftgate control modules, and related components, from moisture.

 

Shields used for vehicles produced after Feb. 18, 2015, functioned as a moisture barrier for the bottom sections of liftgate control modules. The intent was to protect the modules from the most likely sources of moisture exposure, a condition that may lead to short-circuit, creating a fire hazard.

 

But two complaints involving vehicles in this population led to an FCA US investigation. The probe determined improved shields developed for a June recall affecting vehicles produced before Feb. 18, provide greater protection.

 

FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. This latest campaign affects certain model-year 2015 and 2016 Jeep Cherokee SUVs, but is limited to vehicles equipped with power liftgates.

 

An estimated 10,138 customers are affected in Canada, along with an estimated 924 in Mexico and 11,841 outside the NAFTA region.

 

All affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service. If the modules show signs of water exposure, they will be replaced. All recall-related work will be performed free of charge.

 

In the interim, the cargo areas of 2015 Cherokees equipped with power liftgates should be monitored and kept dry. Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.