Honda, GM, Kia Cars Probed for Defects

More than 535,000 cars made by Honda Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and Kia Motors Corp. are being examined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for defects.

The reviews include 277,000 Honda Accord sedans from 1998 and 1999, and Honda CR-V sport utility vehicles from 2002, which may roll after being shifted into park. About 190,000 Saturn L series sedans from 2001 and 2002 are being examined for faulty headlights. The agency also is checking 61,448 Kia Rio sedans from 2001 after five reports of engine fires and crashes while the car was moving.

“We are aware of the investigation and we are cooperating with NHTSA,” said GM spokesman Jim Schell. Honda and Kia didn’t comment.

* Honda Motor Co., Japan’s second-largest automaker, named Senior Managing Director Takeo Fukui as the company’s new president, replacing Hiroyuki Yoshino.