Kia recalls over 500K vehicles in U.S. over airbag defect

Kia is recalling over a halfmillion vehicles in the U.S. because the airbags may not work in a crash.

Along with Hyundai’s previous recall expansion, the affiliated carmakers are recalling nearly 1.1 million vehicles due to the issue, which has been linked to four deaths.

The moves by both Korean automakers came after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the problems in March. The safety agency said at the time it had reports of six front-end crashes with significant damage to the cars. Four people died and six were injured.

Vehicles covered by the Kia recall include 2010 through 2013 Forte compact cars and 2011 through 2013 Optima midsize cars. Also covered are Optima Hybrid and Sedona minivans from 2011 and 2012.

In April, Hyundai expanded a recall from earlier in the year to 580,000 vehicles. Those include the 2011 through 2013 Sonata midsize car and the 2011 and 2012 Sonata Hybrid. Hyundai says the recall now includes all vehicles with the same airbag computers.

Both automakers say they’re working on a fix. Kia said it would notify owners by July 27, while Hyundai said its notification runs from April 20 to June 15.

Hyundai will offer loaner vehicles to owners who request them, spokesman Michael Stewart said. A Kia spokesman did not respond to a question about loaner vehicles.

Kia said in a statement that concerned owners should call dealers or the company.

Government documents say a short circuit can develop in an airbag control computer made by parts supplier ZF-TRW, and the airbags can fail to deploy.

Messages were Friday left seeking comment from NHTSA.

The agency says out of the six crashes, one happened in Canada.