Kia Announces Voluntary Recall for Windshield Wiper Link
20 November 1999
IRVINE, Calif.,-- Kia announced Friday a voluntary recall of 1998 and 1999 Sephia compact sedans to replace the windshield wiper link. A total of 83,403 Sephias will be recalled due to a ball socket in the windshield wiper link that could be out of tolerance and wiper arm retaining nuts that could be inadequately tightened. If the wiper link disengages from the wiper motor when it meets resistance from ice or snow, for example, or if the retaining nuts are not adequately tightened, the windshield wipers could stop functioning. In bad weather, forward visibility could be noticeably reduced. Sephia owners are being asked by mail to bring their vehicle to a Kia dealership so that the wiper link can be replaced and the wiper arm retaining nuts can be re-tightened. The procedure will take less than an hour and will be done at no charge. Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. of Seoul, South Korea.