Kia has issued a recall for over 100,000 units of its Sportage and Carnival models due to a roof molding issue that could result in detachment while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified two potential causes for the problem: excessive application of panel sealer, leading to interference with retaining clips, and incorrect installation of trimmings during vehicle assembly.

Interestingly, the two models subject to the recall, Sportage and Carnival, are assembled at different plants – Sportage at the Kia Georgia plant and Carnival in South Korea. Despite the disparate manufacturing locations, the common factor appears to be an incorrect installation guide.

Kia became aware of the increasing number of incidents related to the roof molding issue in September and initiated duplication testing in October of the previous year. The recall affects 40,426 units of the 2022-2023 Sportage and 60,623 units of the 2022-2024 Carnival. Notably, both models, though introduced in this decade, have experienced recalls in the past, albeit for unrelated issues.

Fortunately, as of the current report, no crashes or injuries have been associated with the problem. Kia advises owners to inspect for loose trimmings before driving and to be attentive to any unusual noises while on the road. The detachment of the roof, though deemed highly unlikely, could pose a serious risk to those in proximity.

As part of the remedy program, Kia dealerships will either secure or replace the roof moldings as needed. Owners who incurred repair costs related to this issue will be eligible for a general reimbursement plan. Importantly, since this is a recall, Kia’s warranty coverage remains unaffected.

To prevent a recurrence of the problem, Kia has implemented improvements in the assembly process and training program. This reinforces the theory that the issue was linked to installation guides. Additionally, retaining clips were integrated to prevent interference with excessive roof panel sealer.

Kia plans to initiate the recall notification process, with dealers receiving notifications on March 12, followed by owners of potentially affected units three days later. This proactive approach aims to address the issue promptly and ensure the safety of the vehicles on the road.