Hyundai, Kia recall 1.9m vehicles in US

South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 1.9 million vehicles in the United States to fix brake lights and airbags, the US government said Wednesday. Hyundai recalled certain model-year 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra vehicles for airbag problems. The brake light recall affects Kia vehicles in model years between 2007 and 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea's largest automaker, notified the NHTSA that a support bracket may become displaced when a side airbag deploys, potentially causing a laceration injury. Hyundai's affiliate, Kia Motors Corporation, is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. A faulty stop light switch may prevent the brake lights from illuminating when the brake pedal is depressed or may prevent deactivation of the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, Kia reported, the problem may affect the push-button start feature and affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the park position. Repairs of the affected vehicles will be free of charge, the companies said. Hyundai, together with its smaller affiliate Kia, is the world's fifth-largest automaker.