Kia to Recall SUVs to Fix Catalytic Converters

Kia Motors Corp., a unit of Hyundai Motor Co., said it will recall all 20,439 of its 1998 Sportage sport-utility vehicles to replace the manifold catalytic converter. Kia, a South Korean company with U.S. headquarters in Irvine, found that a weld on the part could crack, resulting in exhaust leaks and noise. Such problems could cause the trucks to fail vehicle inspections or registration renewal emission tests. The welds aren’t a safety risk, the company said. Kia will replace the part for free. Earlier this year, the company recalled 76,986 Sportages made from 1997 to 1999 to repair fuel injectors. Auto makers typically pay for such repairs out of a warranty reserve, and it’s not unusual for a company to have more than a dozen recalls a year. Kia, which also makes the Sephia compact car, sold 134,594 vehicles in the U.S. last year.