Autoblog

Kia recalling 58K Spectra models for fuel tank issue, 12K Sorentos for transmission concern [UPDATE]

Chris Shunk — Tue, 03 May 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Kia

2007 Kia Spectra EX - Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that Kia is recalling 58,322 2004 through 2007 Spectra models due to fuel tank straps that may corrode over time. The recall, however, is only taking place in northern states that utilize salt on roads during the winter.

The NHTSA report says that one or both straps may separate, allowing the tank to make contact with the ground. If that happens, fuel can leak, metal on cement could produce sparks and a serious fire could result.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by the automaker and instructed to go to a Kia dealership for a free-of-charge repair. A technician will replace the straps and attaching hardware with zinc-coated parts.

The Korean automaker is also recalling 12,690 2011 Kia Sorento crossovers with 2WD and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine for a transmission issue. NHTSA says the intermediate shaft may suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a misalignment of the shaft with the right side output gear. If the condition goes unchecked, it could lead to a whirring or whining noise, and eventually the transmission could be damaged. Owners of the affected vehicles will need to take their Sorento to a Kia dealer, where a technician will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge.

UPDATE: NHTSA just added the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe to the same recall affecting the 2011 Kia Sorento. Approximately 6,169 units of the Santa Fe are affected. Click here for more details.

Gallery: 2007 Kia Spectra EX review

Gallery: 2011 Kia Sorento

Kia recalling 58K Spectra models for fuel tank issue, 12K Sorentos for transmission concern [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Kia Spectra EX

Dan Roth — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Budget, Kia

click above image for high-res gallery of the 2007 Kia Spectra EX

Time was, buying a small car from an entry-level brand meant you'd end up in the penalty box. Vinyl-swathed interiors, cheap and nasty plastics, medieval seats, etc. Those were the bad parts, but there were some aspects of basic cars that we miss. The widespread availability of manual transmissions, you-wind-em windows, money saving aircon and radio delete options are all things that we at least like to see on the order form.

Forgive us if it sounds like we're asking for a revival of the Escort Pony. Sometimes, though, it's refreshing to get into a car that is self-evident to operate and doesn't cost a fortune to run. After sampling the Kia Spectra EX, we're inclined to think that everything else might be overkill.

Gallery: 2007 Kia Spectra EX review

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Kia Spectra EX

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Kia Spectra EX originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not all resale values are created equal

Chris Shunk — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:50:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Buying a new car or truck can be a very expensive endeavor. Style, safety, and reliability are usually at the top of shopper's lists, but the one area that will get you in the end is the all-important resale value.

Some vehicles, like the Honda Odyssey, hold their value extremely well, even after five years. Owners of the Dodge Caravan aren't nearly as lucky, with resale values after half a decade of ownership at a paltry 24-percent of the sticker. As Forbes' Dan Leinert points out, however, the Caravan actually scores quite well in JD Powers studies, so the horrendous resale value can be accounted for when considering the large incentives that are used to move hundreds of thousands of Dodge minivans off dealer lots.

Most of the other vehicles on the list have either gone a really long time without an update, like the Crown Victoria, or are just plain lousy vehicles, like the Kia Amanti. Either way, if your vehicle appears on the "Losing Value List," we'd suggest you hold onto it -- for a while.

You can see the list of the biggest losers after the jump.

[Source: Forbes]

Continue reading Not all resale values are created equal

Not all resale values are created equal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Pics: 2007 Hyundai Elantra spotted

Erin Mays — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan

Edmunds.com's Inside Line is offering up some spy shots of the 2007 Hyundai Elantra, albeit masked under heavy camo. With a projected price point of around $14,000 paired with an updated design, the Elantra looks poised to put Hyundai within reach of its projected 1 million U.S. sales.

On the mechanical side, Edmunds says that the twin-cam, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual gearbox will likely be shared with Kia's recently redesigned Spectra, a move that would follow the company's M.O. as of late.

Expect the redesigned Elantra to hit U.S. showrooms in autumn, while home-market customers can expect to see it as early as this spring.

Spy Pics: 2007 Hyundai Elantra spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Mar 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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