Kia Says ‘97-’98 Sportages Need Inspection

Kia Motors America Inc. said Tuesday it is asking owners of 22,106 Sportage sport-utility vehicles built from September 1997 to last month to bring them to a local Kia dealer for a brake line inspection.

The Irvine-based importer and distributor of Kia cars and trucks said the voluntary recall was prompted by a single report of a damaged hydraulic brake pipe on a Sportage manufactured during the period. The inspection, which takes 15 minutes, will be done at no charge, the company said.

Kia said that it wants to ensure that there is a minimum clearance of three-eighths of an inch between the hydraulic brake pipe and a coupling on the steering shaft. If the pipe is too close to the shaft, the company said, the pipe could be damaged and a brake fluid leak could result, causing the rear brakes to stop working.

No accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of brake pipe damage, the company said.