The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A microswitch on the rear hatch lock cylinder can malfunction causing the power door locks to unlock inadvertently.
The risk
Should this occur, security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost.
The fix
Dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-234 (97V234000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Component | Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock |
| Report date | December 17, 1997 |
| Owners notified | December 15, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 23,493 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the locks & latches
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-234 repair free?
Yes. Kia dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 23,493 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.