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Kia Forte and Rio Steering Column Bolt Loose

NHTSA campaign 22V304000 · Reported May 5, 2022 · Kia Motors America

high How serious is it? About this label

Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	22V304000
Reported to NHTSA	May 5, 2022
Manufacturer	Kia Motors America
Part affected	Steering:column
Vehicles covered	4 model/year combinations, model years 2021–2022
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

In some Forte and Rio cars, a bolt in the steering column may not be properly secured. If the bolt comes loose, the steering column can separate from the steering rack, which can take away the driver's ability to steer the car.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is included.
2. Contact a dealer or Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 to schedule the repair.
3. The dealer will tighten the steering column retention bolt, free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 22V304000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (4)

2021 Kia Forte
2021 Kia RIO
2022 Kia Forte
2022 Kia RIO

Who to contact

Kia — official Kia recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-333-4542

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Kia Steering Recalls Cover Column Separation and Power Assist · all 5 Kia recalls in this area

Other Kia Forte recalls

Apr 1, 2024Kia Forte Front Control Arm Weld Failurecritical
Sep 22, 2023Kia Forte Front Control Arm Weld May Failcritical
Dec 8, 2022Kia Forte Front Steering Knuckle May Crackhigh
Jan 25, 2022Kia Air Bags May Fail to Deploy in Crashhigh
Aug 9, 2021Kia Forte and Rio trunk may not open from insidemedium
Apr 13, 2021Kia Forte Oil Pump Failure May Damage Enginehigh

All 10 Forte recalls

Official notice

Component: STEERING:COLUMN
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Safety risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.