Recall wrap: More than 14,000 Kia Sorento SUVs recalled

Kia Australia has recalled more than 14,000 examples of the Kia Sorento, with two separate safety notices affecting both late-model and older versions of the South Korean brand’s popular family SUV.

Of the 14,578 Sorento models affected, more than half (8572) were built between 2020 and 2022 (MQ4 model code) and could encounter a fault with the transmission electric oil pump (EOP).

“Due to variations in production, a crack may develop in the printed circuit board (PCB) of the EOP, which may lead to failure of the EOP,” Kia said in the recall notice.

If the pump fails, Kia says hydraulic pressure will be lost and the vehicle may lose drive, increasing the risk of an accident resulting in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.

The remaining 6006 examples cover Kia Sorento models built between 2012 and 2014 (XM model code), with Kia saying the heater core in affected models could run hotter than intended.

Kia says that if the heater core element operates at a temperature higher than intended, it could cause damage to the electrical connector, which could result in a vehicle fire.

The 2022 Audi Q3 small SUV has also been recalled over a manufacturing defect that could cause the rear window to break.

Only eight vehicles are affected by this recall, with the German car-maker stating uneven stress distribution could cause the glass to break.

Chinese car-maker BYD has also issued a recall for the recently launched BYD Atto 3, with two potential faults with the electric car identified that require attention.

A total of 703 examples of the 2022 BYD Atto 3 – including both Standard and Extended Range variants – are being recalled, with the Chinese manufacturer saying the front passenger airbag may be unintentionally disengaged via a switch in the front passenger side of the vehicle, meaning the airbag would not deploy in the event of an accident.

Furthermore, BYD says owners should not fit a child seat to the centre seat in the second row, or the front passenger seat, until “minor modifications” have been carried out in accordance with Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by BYD’s Customer Care Team to arrange free inspection and rectification.

However, until then the car-maker is urging owners not to disengage the front passenger airbag switch or use the rear centre position to install a child seat.

Honda Australia has announced a nationwide recall affecting 5053 vehicles across the previous-generation Honda Civic sedan and the current Honda CR-V mid-size SUV line-ups.

The recall relates to the Honda Genuine window tint applied to the front driver and passenger door glass, which Honda says may be too dark and reduce visibility, as it does not meet specifications.

All variants in the 2021-2022 Civic and CR-V range are affected by the recall, which Honda says could increase the risk of an accident.

The Japanese manufacturer says it will contact affected owners to have the tint removed and organise a refund for the cost of the tint applied.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia is calling back 485 examples of the 2017-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee due to a manufacturing fault that could cause the large SUV to shift out of ‘Park’ unintentionally.

“Due to an issue during manufacture, the hydraulic control unit anti-lock brake system module may not perform as intended,” the company said in its recall notice.

“If this occurs, the brake lights may illuminate or allow the vehicle to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being depressed.”

This could result in an unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of an accident, says FCA.

A total of 234 Mercedes-Benz EQA battery-electric small SUVs have also been recalled due to a fault with the EV’s main wiring harness.

Only the entry-level Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 variant (built between 2020-2021) is affected, with Mercedes saying the main wiring harness may come into contact with the frame of the electric powertrain and damage the harness.

“If this occurs, the vehicle’s emergency mode may become activated resulting in the driver not being able to start or drive the vehicle from a stopped position,” the company said.

Related: See all previous carsales Recall Wraps