Lower Steering Column U-joint Bolt Tightening (SC235) – 2021-2022 Kia Rio & Forte

May 5, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V304000

Unsecured Steering Column

Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V304

Manufacturer KiaeBay logo Motors America

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 30

 

Summary

KiaeBay logo Motors America (KiaeBay logo) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

 

Remedy

Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact KiaeBay logo customer service at 1-800-333-4542. KiaeBay logo’s number for this recall SC235.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

 

Check if your Kia has a Recall

 


SC235
May 2022

LOWER STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT BOLT TIGHTENING (SC235)

This bulletin provides information to tighten the lower steering column shaft u-joint bolt on certain 20212022MY Forte (BDm) produced from May 28, 2021 through March 8, 2022 and certain 2021-2022MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from September 8, 2021 through February 21, 2022. The lower steering column bolt in the affected vehicles did not receive proper tightening torque by the supplemental wrench during vehicle production. An improperly tightened lower steering column bolt may loosen over time, and in the worst case scenario can lead to a detachment of the steering column from the steering rack, resulting in a loss of steering control. Loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash. Follow the procedure outlined in this publication to tighten the u-joint bolt to the specified torque specification. Before conducting the procedure, verify that the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs.

 

NOTICE

There is no charge to the vehicle owner for this repair. Under applicable law, you may not sell or otherwise deliver any affected vehicle until it has been repaired pursuant to the procedures set forth in this bulletin.

 

NOTICE

To assure complete customer satisfaction, always remember to refer to WebDCS Warranty Coverage (validation) Inquiry Screen (Service → Warranty Coverage → Warranty Coverage Inquiry) for a list of any additional campaigns that may need to be performed on the vehicle before returning it to the customer.

 

Repair Procedure:

1. Locate the steering column u-joint (A) in the driver foot area and tighten the M10 bolt (B) to the specification listed below.

Tightening torque for bolt (B)
36.2 – 43.4 lb.ft ( 49.1 58.8 N.m)

 

AFFECTED VEHICLE RANGE:

ModelProduction Date Range
Forte (BDm)May 28, 2021 to March 8, 2022
Rio (SC)September 8, 2021 to February 21, 2022

 


SC235 – 2021-2022 MY RIO AND 2021-2022 MY FORTE VEHICLES LOWER STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT BOLT
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN
Q & A
May 19, 2022

 

Q1. What type of campaign is KiaeBay logo conducting?

KiaeBay logo America, Inc., pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, is conducting a Safety Recall Campaign to remedy a defect that can result in a loss of steering.

 

Q2. What vehicles are affected by the recall?

Certain 2021-2022 MY Rio vehicles manufactured from September 8, 2021 through February 21, 2022. Certain 2021-2022 MY Forte vehicles manufactured from May 28, 2021 through March 8, 2022.

 

Q3. How many customer vehicles are affected by this recall?

Approximately 30 vehicles (Rio: 6, Forte: 24)

 

Q4. What is the concern with the Lower Steering Column U-Joint Bolt?

The lower steering column u-joint bolt in the affected vehicles did not receive proper tightening torque by the supplemental wrench during vehicle assembly.  An improperly tightened lower steering column u-joint bolt may loosen over time and, in the worst case scenario, can lead to a detachment of the steering column from the steering rack, resulting in a loss of steering control.  A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

 

Q5. Can you describe the recall campaign and fix?

Dealers will be instructed to tighten the lower steering column u-joint bolt to the correct specification.

 

Q6. How will owners of the affected vehicles be notified?

KiaeBay logo will send a letter notifying owners of the affected vehicles by first class mail on May 27, 2022.

 

Q7. What should vehicle owners do when they receive the notification?

Upon receipt of the letter, owners are to contact their authorized KiaeBay logo dealer to arrange to have the recall performed on their vehicle.

 

Q8. How was the issue discovered?

Through the regular monitoring of field information.

 

Q9. Will this cost vehicle owners any money?

No. KiaeBay logo will perform the recall repair at no cost to the customer.

 

Q10. What about customers who may have already paid to have this situation corrected?

If the customer has incurred expense to remedy this issue prior to the date of this notice, the customer may have the opportunity to obtain reimbursement for that expense.  Customers may submit their receipts online to KiaeBay logo via the Owners section (Contact KiaeBay logo) of www.kia.com OR mail their documentation with the completed Request for Reimbursement Form included with this letter directly to KiaeBay logo for review and consideration at the following address:

Consumer Assistance Center
KiaeBay logo America, Inc.
P.O. Box 52410
Irvine, CA  92619-2410
1-800-333-4542

 

Q11. Are there any restrictions on an owner’s eligibility?

No.

 

Q12. If a customer has an immediate question, where can they get further information?

The customer can contact their local authorized KiaeBay logo dealership or call KiaeBay logo’s Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4KIA (4542), Monday through Friday, 5 AM to 6 PM Pacific Time, or via the internet at www.kia.com (Owner’s Section).

 


2021-2022MY Rio & Forte
Lower Steering Column U-Joint Bolt
Basis of Safety Defect Determination 573.6(c)(6)

 

March 24, 2022

KiaeBay logo Mexico (KMX) identifies noise in the steering column during a test drive at the plant of a 2022MY KiaeBay logo Rio.

 

April 13, 2022

KMX investigates noise issue and identifies issue in subject 2022MY KiaeBay logo Rio was due to low torque applied to steering column U-joint bolt with supplemental torque wrench at the vehicle assembly plant.

 

April 21, 2022

KMX notifies KiaeBay logo North America (KiaeBay logo NA) Product Quality (PQ) and KiaeBay logo NA Safety Office of potential low torque condition in certain 2021-2022MY KiaeBay logo Rio and Forte.

 

April 25, 2022

KiaeBay logo NA Safety Office completes review of field data and confirms no related complaints or warranty claims associated with condition for either the 2021-2022MY Rio or Forte vehicles.

 

April 28, 2022

KiaeBay logo NA decides to conduct a safety recall for certain 20212022MY Rio and certain 2021-2022MY Forte vehicles. No customer complaints, warranty claims or techline cases. No fatalities, injuries, crashes or fires.

 


4 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
KIAeBay logoFORTE2021-2022
KIAeBay logoRIO2021-2022

 


13 Associated Documents

2021-2022MY Rio and Forte Lower Steering Column U-Joint Bolt Chronology

RMISC-22V304-4239.pdf 23.125KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-22V304-9606.pdf 651.35KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-22V304-3578.PDF 214.381KB

 


Recall 573 Report – May 11, 2022

RCLRPT-22V304-9025.PDF 214.449KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-22V304-3587.pdf 317.801KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-22V304-1898.pdf 109.923KB

 


SC235 ? 2021-2022 MY RIO AND 2021-2022 MY FORTE VEHICLES LOWER STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT BOLT SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN Q & A May 19, 2022

RMISC-22V304-1722.pdf 337.593KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-22V304-9549.pdf 86.068KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-22V304-9139.pdf 242.674KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-22V304-4732.pdf 242.687KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2022-2

RCLQRT-22V304-9375.PDF 211.12KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2022-3

RCLQRT-22V304-0292.PDF 211.222KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2022-4

RCLQRT-22V304-0651.PDF 211.31KB

 


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