SC306 – Right Front Lower Control Arm – 2023 Kia Forte

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004
Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-244
The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573
Manufacturer Name : Submission Date :
Kia America, Inc. APR 01, 2024 NHTSA Recall No. : 24V-244 Manufacturer Recall No. : SC306 Manufacturer Information :
Manufacturer Name : Kia America, Inc.
Address : 111 Peters Canyon Road
Irvine CA 92606 Company phone : 800-333-4542
Population :
Number of potentially involved : 215 Estimated percentage with defect : 1 %
Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2023-2023 Kia Forte Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : ALL Power Train : GAS
Descriptive Information : Certain 2023 model year Forte vehicles manufactured from April 12, 2023 through May 8, 2023. The recall population was determined by a review of vehicle production and supplier records. The vehicles subject to this recall were not produced in VIN order.
Customers seeking information about their specific vehicle will be referred to Kia’s Consumer Assistance Center or their Kia dealer. Production Dates : APR 12, 2023 – MAY 08, 2023
VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Defect :
Description of the Defect : Due to a supplier manufacturing error, one of the joint connection points of the right front lower control arm (LCA) to the vehicle’s crossmember may have been improperly welded. Over time, an improperly welded joint can fatigue and break causing a partial separation of the LCA from the vehicle’s crossmember.
FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR
Description of the Safety Risk : If partial separation occurs, the vehicle’s front toe angle may change
impacting the vehicle’s steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Description of the Cause : Improperly welded joint by supplier. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-244 Page 2 Identification of Any Warning
that can Occur : None. Involved Components : Component Name 1 : ARM COMPLETE-FR LWR, RH Component Description : Right front lower control arm assembly Component Part Number : 54501-F2AA0 Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer
Name : Donghee Mexico
Address : Carretera Pesqueria-Los Ramones Km 13-15
Localidad La Arena, Nuevo Leon Pesqueria Foreign States 66679 Country : Mexico Chronology :
See attached document titled “2023MY Forte Right Front Lower Control Arm Chronology”. Description of Remedy :
Description of Remedy Program : All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with
instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Kia dealers will be instructed to replace the right front lower control arm with a new one. Until the remedy is completed, customers will be instructed not to drive their vehicle and to make arrangements with Kia Roadside Assistance to have the vehicle towed to a Kia dealer for repair. Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred pursuant to Kia’s General Reimbursement Plan filed May 10, 2022. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : The remedy component has properly welded joints. The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-244
Page 3
The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573
Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production :
The 2023MY Forte vehicles produced beginning on 6/8/2023 are equipped with right front lower control arms that were properly welded. Certain 2023MY Forte vehicles produced from 5/9/2023 through 6/7/2023 with improperly welded right front LCA were previously included in Recall 23V649. Recall Schedule :
Description of Recall Schedule : The planned dealer notification begin and end date is April 12, 2024. The
planned owner notification begin and end date is April 17, 2024.
Planned Dealer Notification Date : APR 12, 2024 – APR 12, 2024
Planned Owner Notification Date : APR 17, 2024 – APR 17, 2024
* NR – Not Reported

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Kia America, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
111 Peters Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92606-1790 USA
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
NHTSA Recall Number: 24V244
This notice applies to your vehicle: Insert VIN
April 17, 2024
Dear Kia Forte Vehicle Owner:
Kia has identified a defect in your vehicle which relates to motor vehicle safety.
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Kia America, Inc. has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2023 MY Forte vehicles. The defect can result in the right front lower control arm partially separating from the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Our records indicate that you own or lease one of the affected vehicles.
What Is The Problem?
One of the joint connection points of the right front lower control arm (LCA) to your vehicle’s crossmember may have been improperly welded due to a manufacturing error. An improperly welded joint can fatigue and break causing partial separation of the LCA from the vehicle’s crossmember. LCA separation can cause a sudden loss of steering control, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT drive your vehicle until the recall repair is completed. Once an appointment is scheduled, contact Kia Roadside Assistance at 1-800-333-4542 or online at kia.rsahelp.com to request to have your vehicle towed to the nearest authorized Kia dealership.
Kia Will Replace The Right Front Lower Control Arm Free of Charge At No Cost To You.
Kia dealers will replace the right front lower control arm with a new one. This recall will be performed free of charge at no cost to you. The estimated time required to perform this recall will be approximately one (1) to two (2) hours. We recommend scheduling a service appointment to minimize your inconvenience.
What Should You Do?
•
In the interest of the safety of your passengers, as well as your own safety, contact your authorized Kia dealer to arrange for the recall to be performed on your vehicle.
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To find your nearest dealer, visit www.kia.com and click the “Find Dealer” button in the upper right corner (“Dealers” on a mobile device). You can also use the QR code below with your mobile device to access this information (see the bottom of this letter for more information about QR code use):
SC306
Have You Changed Your Address Or Sold Your Kia?
If you have changed your home address, sold your Kia vehicle, or no longer own your vehicle, please complete the attached prepaid “Change of Address/Ownership” card and mail it to us. You can also contact the Kia Customer Care Center phone number listed below.
What If You Are A Vehicle Lessor?
What If You Have Other Questions?
If your dealer does not respond to your service request in a timely manner, we suggest that you call Kia’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-333-4542. This number has TTY capability. If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this defect without charge and within a reasonable amount of time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
This action has been taken in the interest of your safety, and we regret any inconvenience this situation may cause you.
Sincerely,
Customer Care Department
Federal regulation requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
QR Code Use:
•
A QR Code is a square, 2-dimensional barcode that can be read by mobile devices loaded with an appropriate barcode or QR Code Reader App. The app reads the barcode image and then launches/uploads the specific information the code contains, such as URLs, text, photos, videos.
•
With a mobile device, download a QR Code Reader App. With many devices, you can do this through an app store or marketplace.
•
Open the QR Code Reader App on your mobile device. The app will utilize your device’s camera. Center the code in the camera viewing area. With some apps, the URL or other information will automatically load when the code is recognized. For others, you may have to snap or take a picture of the QR code. Refer to the QR Reader Code App instructions.
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM
2023 MY FORTE VEHICLES – RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (SC306)
If you have incurred expense to remedy this issue prior to the date of this notice, you may have the opportunity to obtain reimbursement for that expense. You may submit your receipts online to Kia via the Owners section of www.kia.com (Owners>Contact Us or directly at this link: http://customercare.kiausa.com).
If you do not have access to a computer or prefer to submit your request by mail, please complete this Request for Reimbursement and mail it to the following address for review and consideration, along with backup documentation: Kia Customer Care Center Kia America, Inc. P. O. Box 52410 Irvine, CA 92619-2410 1-800-333-4542
Please allow at least sixty (60) days for review and response.
Customer First Name:
Customer Last Name:
Attach the following:
o
Repair Order showing:
o
Name & address of person paying for the repair
o
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of vehicle repaired
o
Description of the problem repaired
▪
Date of repair, mileage at the time of repair and total cost of claimed repair expense
o
Evidence of Payment of Repair showing:
o
Date of Payment
o
Amount Paid (e.g., copies of cancelled check or credit card receipt)
I certify that the documents attached to this Request for Reimbursement are true and accurate and should be used as the basis for a reimbursement to me under this campaign.
CLAIMANT’S SIGNATURE:
____________________________________________ _________________________________________ Signature Print Name
Customer Address:
Customer City:
State:
Zip:
Phone #:
( ) –
Email:
Vehicle Identification Number:
Mileage at Time of Repair:
Date of Repair:
/ /
Amount of Reimbursement Requested
$

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SC306
April 12, 2024
ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGERS
Kia America, Inc., pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, is conducting a Safety Recall Campaign on certain 2023 MY Forte vehicles manufactured from April 12, 2023 through May 8, 2023.
Due to a supplier manufacturing error, one of the joint connection points of the right front lower control arm (LCA) to the vehicle’s crossmember may have been improperly welded. Over time, an improperly welded joint can fatigue and break causing partial separation of the LCA from the vehicle’s crossmember. If partial separation occurs, the vehicle’s front toe angle may change, impacting the vehicle’s steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Kia dealers will replace the right front lower control arm with a new one. Customers will be instructed NOT to drive their vehicles, and have their vehicles towed to an authorized Kia Dealer to have this recall performed. This recall will be performed free of charge at no cost to the customer.
The Technical Service Bulletin that provides vehicle inspection and repair procedures, affected VIN production range, and warranty claim information will be posted on the Kia Global Information System (KGIS) at www.kiatechinfo.com during the week of April 12, 2024.
Enclosed you will find a copy of the owner notification letter and a Q&A Guide for recall questions, both of which describe the issue. Note that any vehicle owner who has already paid for related repairs can submit a request for reimbursement online via the Owner’s Section of www.kia.com. Kia will mail notices to the affected vehicle owners beginning on April 17, 2024.
Also, please make certain the appropriate personnel in your dealership are familiar with the details of this recall to ensure proper responses to customer inquiries and requests to have the recall performed on their vehicles. This Safety Recall Campaign represents an opportunity for your service department to deliver an exceptional service experience (e.g., flexible service appointment process, car wash and vacuum and timely service).
NHTSA ADVISORY: It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied.
LEGAL PRIVACY LIABILITY NOTICE: Pursuant to the terms of the Dealer Sales and Service Agreement and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley federal consumer privacy act, you are required to keep confidential any and all information and documents provided to you by Kia America, Inc. or generated by you in the conduct of carrying out work under that Agreement regarding Kia vehicle purchasers and owners, including but not limited to warranty claim information. Kia dealers may use such owner information for the sole purpose of conducting and performing this safety recall campaign, and for no other purpose.
If you have any questions, please contact your Kia District Parts and Service Manager.
Sincerely, Kia Service Department Enclosures

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SC306
April 12, 2024
ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PRINCIPALS
Kia America, Inc., pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, is conducting a Safety Recall Campaign on certain 2023 MY Forte vehicles manufactured from April 12, 2023 through May 8, 2023.
Due to a supplier manufacturing error, one of the joint connection points of the right front lower control arm (LCA) to the vehicle’s crossmember may have been improperly welded. Over time, an improperly welded joint can fatigue and break causing partial separation of the LCA from the vehicle’s crossmember. If partial separation occurs, the vehicle’s front toe angle may change, impacting the vehicle’s steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Kia dealers will replace the right front lower control arm with a new one. Customers will be instructed NOT to drive their vehicles, and have their vehicles towed to an authorized Kia Dealer to have this recall performed. This recall will be performed free of charge at no cost to the customer.
Your Service Manager was sent a copy of the owner notification letter and a Q&A guide for recall questions both of which describe the issue and information on how to access the list of affected vehicles. Kia will start mailing notices to the affected vehicle owners beginning on April 17, 2024.
What Should You Do?
Please make certain the appropriate personnel in your dealership are familiar with the details of this recall to ensure proper responses to customer inquiries and requests to have the recall performed on their vehicles.
NHTSA ADVISORY: It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied.
LEGAL PRIVACY LIABILITY NOTICE: Pursuant to the terms of the Dealer Sales and Service Agreement and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley federal consumer privacy act, you are required to keep confidential any and all information and documents provided to you by Kia America, Inc. or generated by you in the conduct of carrying out work under that Agreement regarding Kia vehicle purchasers and owners, including but not limited to warranty claim information. Kia dealers may use such owner information for the sole purpose of conducting and performing this safety recall campaign, and for no other purpose.
If you have any questions, please contact your Kia District Parts & Service Manager.
Sincerely, Kia Service Department
Enclosures

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