Kia Motors America, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
111 Peters Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92606-1790 USA

RECENT KIA MEDIA REPORTS
January 25, 2019 Update
Dear Kia Retailer,
At Kia, safety is a top priority and we wrote to you last August and again last October to provide you
with updates regarding news reports about non-collision fires in Kia vehicles and the status of Kia’s
cooperative work with NHTSA.
Since that time, we have been continuing to work transparently and cooperatively with NHTSA. As a
reminder, here’s a summary of our efforts outlined in earlier communications:


Safety recall SC147 (NHTSA 17V-224) launched in June 2017 on more than 600,000
Kia vehicles to address a manufacturing defect which could lead to engine failure and in
certain rare circumstances the affected engines have caught fire. Vehicles mentioned in
media reports align closely with vehicles already included in this recall. The recall is now
more than 70% complete through our continuing customer re-notification efforts.



Enhanced fire investigation processes and resources including the use of independent
outside fire experts; and



Enhanced customer care processes for affected customers until investigations are
complete.

Additionally, we have taken the following preventative actions:


We launched Product Improvements PI1802 and PI1803 to install an industry-first piece
of software (knock sensor detection system) for the early detection of symptoms which could
eventually lead to engine failures that may result in fires.
These product improvements began in July 2018 and cover more than 1.6 million vehicles.



Safety recall SC172 launched in January for the inspection of the high pressure fuel
pipe on vehicles for which an engine was previously replaced under Engine Recall
SC147 to confirm the high pressure fuel pipe was properly installed to the fuel pump outlet.
We informed NHTSA of this issue through our cooperative work effort and officially
communicated our desire to conduct this recall shortly before the federal government shut
down. We have chosen not to wait for the federal government to reopen and instead moved
ahead to proactively launch this safety recall. KMA notified dealers of Safety Recall SC172 on
January 10 (information can be found on KDealer.com in the Recalls and Campaigns portion
of the Fixed Ops section, including Questions and Answers to help address customer
inquiries) and customer notification began January 17. The Technical Service Bulletin
containing specific repair information was published on January 24.



Vehicle Scope of Safety recall SC172 will be expanded to include 2014-2017MY
Optima, 2014-2018MY Sportage and 2015-2017MY Sorento vehicles that had a GDI
engine replaced under warranty or Product Improvements PI1802 and
PI1803. Although there have been no reported engine compartment fires post engine
replacement, dealers who would have replaced engines under warranty or PI1802/PI1803
would have received the same engine replacement instructions as for the recalled vehicles
under 17v224. Thus, out of an abundance of caution, these vehicles will also be inspected to
confirm the fuel pipes have been correctly and safely installed.

Some media reports have also referred to an alleged “whistleblower” who is a former KMA
employee.
Let me assure you that Kia is an organization with strong values and responsibility, committed to
conducting business with the highest standards of ethics. We disagree with the main basis of his
claims: that recycling fuel pipes in engine replacements creates a fire risk. Nevertheless, in an
abundance of caution, we strongly recommend that all dealerships follow our engine replacement
protocols requiring fuel pipe replacement. Kia also values employees raising safety concerns,
contrary to his allegations. In fact, KMA provides an anonymous ethics hotline hosted by a third
party to its employees for reporting these types of safety concerns and any other matters, along
with having other internal avenues of reporting. The anonymous ethics hotline is also available to
dealership staff on KDealer.com via a link available on the HOME page. We encourage any KMA or
dealership employee to use it should circumstances warrant.
As a reminder, you and your teams can take the following actions to help assure the safety of Kia
vehicles:
1. Ensure that all safety recalls are completed for vehicles coming in for service, paying
particular attention to the specific work processes outlined in associated Technical Service
Bulletins to ensure proper repair;
2. Implement follow-up processes with your customers to encourage the completion of any
open safety recalls;
3. Remind customers that they can go to the Owners section of www.kia.com to check for open
safety recalls by clicking on “Recalls” or they can also verify this information at NHTSA’s
website: www.safercar.gov.
4. Should a customer make any allegation or bring forth a claim alleging a Kia product is
responsible for a situation that has resulted or could result in an accident, injury or fire, you
and your staff should immediately report the situation to your District Parts & Service
Manager and advise the customer to report it to the Kia Consumer Assistance Center at
800.333.4Kia (4542); do not perform any repairs before receiving authorization from KMA so
that we have an opportunity to investigate.
Attached are Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for your reference.
As always, please direct any media inquiries to your field contacts or directly to Kia’s Corporate
Communications Department (James Bell ([email protected]) or James Hope ([email protected]).
Kia shares the vehicle safety goals of government regulators and consumer advocates and is
committed to the safety of all its customers and their passengers and we are taking appropriate
action. Thank you once again for your valued support of the Kia brand.
Sincerely,

Greg Silvestri
Vice President, Service & Aftersale Operations

Kia Motors America, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
111 Peters Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92606-1790 USA

Frequently Asked Questions
Fire-Related Media Reports
Updated 1/25/19
NON-COLLISION FIRE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Question

Answer

1. There have been ongoing
news reports of noncollision fires in Kia (and
Hyundai) vehicles. What
is happening and why?

A vehicle fire can occur due to any number of complex factors which must
be carefully evaluated by trained technicians to determine its cause. At Kia,
any claims involving damage to a Kia vehicle, including fires, are reviewed
on a case-by-case basis to determinate appropriate action. When the result
of any fire is due to a vehicle design or manufacturing issue, KMA promptly
notifies NHTSA and conducts a voluntary recall.
It is impossible to speculate about the cause of any fire without doing a
detailed inspection and analysis, and the news media has been speculating
that all fires are from a common vehicle issue. It is important to recognize
that different vehicle models and model years do not have the same
components. Our analysis suggests that most fires where we are able to
identify a vehicle related cause is being addressed by Kia recall SC147.
Recall SC172 addresses other fires identified as being caused by improper
engine replacement procedures. Kia has added additional resources to
continue to investigate Kia vehicle fires on an individual basis, is working
cooperatively with all governmental entities to report and analyze safetyrelated data, and will promptly conduct a recall when the result of any fire is
due to a vehicle design or manufacturing issue.

2. With the knowledge that
some Kia (and Hyundai)
vehicles are catching fire,
what are you doing to
address the issue?

Customer safety is one of Kia’s top priorities. We are making every effort to
ensure all affected vehicles complete the open recall repairs as quickly as
possible, including dealer training and multiple customer alerts beyond the
initial recall notice. Additionally, we developed an industry-first system for
early detection of symptoms that could lead to engine failures that cause
fires and are working with multiple third-party experts to evaluate the results
of our investigations and action steps on this matter.

Key Points
 Many different fire causes, both vehicle and non-vehicle,
require inspection and analysis.
 When Kia identifies a vehicle related fire source, it promptly
moves for a recall.
 Most fires related to a vehicle source are being addressed by
recall SC 147.
 Constant review of internal data and field performance to
proactively identify vehicle issues that might cause fires.
 Recalls promptly initiated when evidence and data support a
recall.

 Focused on completing open recalls to prevent fires.
 Developed Knock Sensor Detection System to identify
potential engine failure traits that may result in a fire.
 Working with multiple-third party sources to evaluate our
response and analyze fires.

Question

Answer

3. There are reports of
vehicles catching fire
after having the recall
repair completed. What is
happening and why?

Because there have been a small number of automobile fires that occurred
after engine replacement under safety recall SC147 in vehicles with GDI
engines, Kia has also initiated safety recall SC172 to inspect the
connections of the High Pressure Fuel Pipe to the fuel pump outlet for fuel
leaking to reduce the risk of fire. It is also being expanded to include 14-17
model year Optima and 14-18 MY Sportage vehicles, as well as 15-17
model year Sorento vehicles with GDI engines replaced under warranty or
product improvement campaigns to inspect for fuel leaks in an abundance
of caution.
Through quality monitoring and continuous improvement, Kia is committed
to ensuring the integrity of its vehicles, working cooperatively with all
governmental entities to report and analyze safety-related data. NHTSA
monitors each safety recall to make sure owners receive safe, free and
effective remedies from manufacturers according to the Safety Act and
Federal regulations (their website is www.safercar.gov) and Kia has been
working cooperatively with them.

4. My vehicle is within the
range of vehicles
impacted by one of these
recalls. I have heard
reports that Kia has not
fully addressed this issue
and I’m not confident
driving my family in a
vehicle which seems to
pose a higher fire risk
than in other cars. Will
you buy the vehicle back
from me?

Customers are therefore encouraged to have any outstanding safety recalls
completed and the Knock Sensor Detection System installed as soon as
possible. Should a customer have a concern related to any aspect of the
operation or safety of their vehicle, they are encouraged to schedule an
appointment with their Kia dealer for vehicle inspection as soon as possible.
Kia Consumer Assistance Representatives are available to provide
assistance beyond vehicle repair by the dealer by phoning
800.333.4Kia(4542) or online in the Owner’s section of www.kia.com.

Key Points
 Quickly moved to institute a recall to address improper
repairs that could give rise to fires.
 Expanded MYs (see above) as a precaution.

 Kia works cooperatively with NHTSA and safety-related data
is continuously monitored to ensure appropriate action
 Customers should have all recalls and product improvements,
including the Knock Sensor Detection System, completed as
soon as possible
 Any additional assistance requests, including vehicle
buyback, should be referred to Kia Consumer Assistance

CENTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY/HIGHWAY LOSS DATA INSTITUTE:
Question

Answer

Key Points

5. The Center for
Automotive Safety
(CAS) has suggested a
significantly larger
recall of Kia (and
Hyundai) vehicles is
needed. Why do you
disagree with their
position?

Customer safety is a top priority and regardless of size we conduct safety
recalls whenever there is a proven need for one. We have committed
significant resources to this issue and our findings do not align with the
statistics and conclusions presented by CAS.

 CAS statistics don’t provide meaningful way to analyze Kia fire
exposure

6. The Center for
Automotive Safety
(CAS) detailed a death
in a non-collision fire
in a Kia Soul. What
can you tell us about
that incident?

Any loss of life is tragic. The version of the story told by CAS is incomplete
and omits several key items from the police and autopsy reports, such as the
abuse of the vehicle by an extremely impaired driver.

 The Soul Fatality is unrelated to a vehicle defect and was caused
by abuse of vehicle and significant impairment of driver.

7. Why do you claim that
Kia (and Hyundai) fires
are part of an
industrywide issue?

Non-collision fires are not at all limited to Kia vehicles. Information from thirdparty data sources such as the Highway Loss Data Institute show a wide
range of vehicle fire causes and over 170,000 incidents across all
manufacturers in the last three years.

 All vehicles are prone to non-crash fires and Kia is generally
within industry averages.

8. Doesn’t the Highway
Loss Data Institute’s
(HDLI) recent analysis
show that Kia fire
rates are higher than
industry averages?

We would expect elevated fire rates for vehicles subject to the current SC 147
recall, and we also believe that the recall repair should address these
problems. HLDI also noted that our efforts in fire mitigation are appropriately
focused on the correct vehicles.

 HLDI shows there are elevated fire rates on vehicles that we have
recalled and we expect the recall will address this concern.

FORMER KMA EMPLOYEE JASON VAUGHN
Question

Answer

9. There have been
allegations by Jason
Vaughn, a former Kia
employee, who claims
Kia is attempting to
hide the dangers
associated with GDI
engine replacements
and that approved
repair practices create
significant fire risks.

We have an open and transparent working relationship with NHTSA, and will
return to working with NHTSA after the government shutdown. We believe
that the allegation that recycling fuel pipes creates a fire risk is unfounded and
we do not have a single documented case where the recycling of pipes has
caused a fire. The supplier of the fuel pipes has also confirmed through its
testing that recycling of fuel pipes on its own should not create any new safety
risks. Nevertheless, in an abundance of caution, we have and will continue to
have our dealers replace the fuel pipes in engine replacements in the repair
protocol. In addition, we disagree with the former employee’s allegations.

Key Points
 Open and transparent relationship with NHTSA.
 Main allegation of safety concern is not supported by any data.
 Kia encourages Kia employees and dealers to use the anonymous
ethics hotline (via KDealer.com) to raise safety concerns.