A New Braunfels woman's daily life has become a parking puzzle, Jane Kidder must keep her 2013 Kia Sportage away from buildings and other cars, thanks to a recall stating it could burst into flames without warning. The troubling notification from Kia warned that the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) might short-circuit, posing a fire risk while driving or parked.
According to KENS 5, which reported on the issue, Kidder's calls to the dealership and Kia’s corporate office have left her waiting for a fix for five months. "I worry every time I get in it, if I go to the grocery store, that it's going to catch on fire or just sitting out in the yard it will catch on fire," Kidder shared her concerns, outlining the jeopardy she senses not only on the road but even while parked at her own home.
The wait for a solution has persisted despite Kidder's proactive approach, contacting her local Kia dealer for updates, only to be told that they too are in the dark, awaiting directives from the corporate level. Kia’s Head of Corporate Communications, James Bell, initially told KENS 5, “Kia has secured the parts to affect this recall. Starting late last month and the month of March we have been reaching out to affected owners and providing them the opportunity to make an appointment at their local dealer,” However, further investigation revealed a different story. Other dealers echoed a narrative of scarcity.
Digging deeper, KENS 5 reached out to Bell once more, pressing for the truth about the parts shortage. In response, Bell's statement conceded, “As mentioned on the phone, we are working diligently to collect necessary supply of the needed components. As also mentioned on our call, we are rolling out this recall in phases to a) avoid future parts delays and b) reduce impact on time needed at dealers to process the recall. Per these considerations, this customer will be notified on or around 5/24/24,” By employing a phased recall approach, Kia hopes to mitigate further delays, and Kidder's vehicle is scheduled for recall action on or around May 24, Bell ensued via email.
While the company maneuvers through logistics, the waiting continues for car owners like Kidder, who are left to strategize their daily routines and safety with a ticking time bomb on wheels.
