A massive Korean brand has proactively issued a recall for 137,000 units all across the world. Recalls are a regular occurrence in the automotive industry. The biggest and best brands often are forced into a recall following troubling reports from customers and regulatory institutions. Like a teacher reprimanding a student, the automotive manufacturers are forced to face their problems and issue recalls that give their customers a solution to the problems. Now, one of the largest manufacturers in the East has been forced to issue a recall.
Recalls are a result of the global production line of our personal mobility options
Gone are the days when a vehicle was entirely made in-house. Global supply chains and collective efforts by manufacturers have led to a few hiccups in the car manufacturing sector. Nowadays. nearly every manufacturer, regardless of nationality, makes use of the global manufacturing capabilities of the automotive sector. Our cars are made up of components from all over the world.
Like a recipe that makes use of global ingredients to make the perfect dish, the production line of most car makers is a mix of locally made and international manufacturers that provide the brand in question with the components needed. It is rare to find any company that makes everything itself, even the best minds and engineers need a little help sometimes.
This latest recall for the Korean giant has serious implications for safety
The car needs to be safe for all involved. Recalls are usually a result of a fault or issue that has been found after the fact. In most cases, the brand in question is able to issue a recall and find a solution to the problem without affecting the customer too much. However, this self-imposed recall from one of the biggest brands in the automotive sector is slightly more serious.
The Korean car manufacturers are known for their impeccable build quality that rivals the best in the market. They also offer great value for money, as their European and American competitors often are more expensive. However, try as hard as they might, even this Korean manufacturer is subject to mistakes that are not their doing, but they must take responsibility.
KIA has issued a recall for 137,000 models all over the globe
137,256 Souls and Seltos’ equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine have been recalled by KIA due to a faulty piston ring that can leak oil into the engine and start a fire or cause the engine to seize. They noticed a potential trend in engine replacement warranty claims for the 2021 Seltos and Soul and conducted research to see what the problem was. They found that the 2021-2023 Soul and 2021-2023 Seltos may have the faulty piston rings and have issued a recall globally.
The faulty piston rings were made by Dongsuh Federal-Mogul, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also noted, “In limited cases, a fire may occur from engine oil leaking onto a hot exhaust component due to a hole in the engine block.” Dealers have instructions to inspect and replace engines, where necessary, as well as install special noise-sensing software that will provide a warning light to the driver of potential engine damage.
KIA’s recall is a proactive measure and not a reactive one
To their credit, KIA donned its Sherlock Holmes hat and dug into what caused the faulty piston rings following some troubling reports of 400 incidents as well as four potentially related fires. A company the size of KIA with as much market share as it has is in a position to alleviate the pressure on its production line by replacing any faulty engines or reimbursing any customers who have had to pay for any repairs as a result of the faulty piston rings. Whether or not they lose customers over this remains to be seen.
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