More than 28,000 Kia Sorento and Sedona models in the United States need repairs due to a transmission issue that increases the risk of rollaway.
Kia says that impacted vehicles with automatic transmissions have a shift lever assembly with a shift lock lever and holder. Some of these shift lock holder components may have been produced out of specification and as such, the shift lock lever may not return to the locked position, meaning the shift lever can be moved out of Park and into any gear position without pressing the brake pedal and regardless of whether the ignition is on or off.
As the automaker explains in its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall notice, if the transmission shifter is moved out of Park without pressing the brake pedal or using the parking brake, a vehicle rollaway can occur.
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The recall impacts a total of 7,263 Kia Sedona models that were produced between April 27, 2015 and June 27, 2015. It also impacts 20,802 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured from April 27, 2015 to July 9, 2015.
Kia says it will notify dealerships of the recall on October 3 before informing owners of the recall on October 7.
Owners of subject vehicles will be instructed to bring their vehicle to a Kia dealer where the automatic transmission shift lever assembly will be inspected and if necessary, the shift lock lever and holder will be replaced. Kia will also reimburse owners who have already paid to have the issue fixed.
