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WESH 2 Investigates possible outdated auto safety recall information
The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
“There appears to be a lack of communication between NHTSA and Kia,” Michael Brooks, the executive director of the auto safety watchdog group, the Center for Auto Safety, said.
By Greg Fox
July 25, 2023
A recent local non-crash fire involving a 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid is just one example of why an auto safety group is concerned that the government’s auto safety recall website is not up to date.
The Center for Auto Safety’s executive director says both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Kia, like other manufacturers, are to blame.
“I’m right at the exit of Patrick Air Force Base. My car’s on fire! It’s a hybrid,” yelled Andre Zamudio on May 14 as he told a 911 dispatcher in Brevard County that his vehicle was burning on the side of the Pineda Causeway.
Fortunately, he was not hurt. When we first brought you his story in June, we explained that his vehicle had an unrepaired recall, SC168, one that presented a “risk of fire,” according to NHTSA.
We thought that was strange because Zamudio provided us with a copy of a service order for his vehicle from January. A local Kia dealer addressed two other safety recalls – SC163 and SC256 – and completed the repairs.