Kia, Hyundai, Ford Make ‘Most Improved Cars’ List

It’s always nice to be recognized for hard work and improvement. Thanks to cars.com several of the brands Butlers sells are being honored for models that have seen the most improvement over the past 15 years. They include the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, 2011 Kia Sportage and 2005 Ford Mustang. In the case of the Elantra and Sportage cars.com says the manufacturers made already good cars better. Ford, however, is judged to have overcome a decade (1994-2004) of Mustang missteps to finally come up with the right combination of retro styling and modern muscle car. Cars.com’s stance is that these vehicles should not be overlooked by consumers. We absolutely agree!
Sources: www.cars.com; www.prnewswire.com

Brake Switch Issue Prompts Massive Kia and Hyundai Recall

The 2011 Kia Optima is included in the recall.

A 2009 recall is being revived to the tune of more than 1.6 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles, model years 2007 through 2011. The national Highway Traffic Administration says the recall addresses a problem with the brake switch that could prevent the brake lights from illuminating and the brake pedal from cancelling cruise control. The issue could aslo affect the transmission and/or the push-start button. Both companies will replair the problem by replacing the brake switch. Affected owners will be notified in the next few weeks but it could be June before parts are available.  See the full NHTSA and Kia press releases below for more information.

Press Release:

Report Receipt Date: APR 01, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V113000
Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Manufacturer: Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc

SUMMARY:
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position or enabling an occupant to move the shifter out of PARK without applying the brake, and causing the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

CONSEQUENCE:
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Disabling the brake-transmission shift interlock could result in a vehicle rollaway.

REMEDY:
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall will begin by June 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai’s recall campaign number is 110.

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 http://www.safercar.gov.

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Report Receipt Date: APR 01, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V114000
Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Manufacturer: Kia Motors Corporation

SUMMARY:
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position or enabling an occupant to move the shifter out of PARK without applying the brake, and causing the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

CONSEQUENCE:
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Disabling the brake-transmission shift interlock could result in a vehicle rollaway.

REMEDY:
Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s recall campaign number is SC098.

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 http://www.safercar.gov.

Sources:  www.autoblog.com, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration