Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Manufacturer
Kia Motors Corporation
What Happened
The stop lamp switch in your vehicle controls your brake lights, cruise control, and other essential safety features. It's the part that makes your brake lights shine when you press the brake pedal, and also lets you turn off the cruise control by pressing the pedal.
Risk if Unfixed
If the stop lamp switch fails, your brake lights might not turn on when you press the brake pedal, or you might not be able to turn off the cruise control. This could lead to a crash, especially if other drivers don't see you slowing down. In some cases, the transmission could even shift out of park without you meaning to, which could cause your car to roll away.
Free Fix
Your Kia dealer will replace the faulty stop lamp switch with a new one at no charge to you. You'll get a letter in May, and then another one when the parts are ready. Just schedule the repair and they'll take care of it.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 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. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch 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 and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Original — 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.
View full recall details →
Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →