WASHINGTON — Kia America is recalling more than 319,000 cars in the U.S. because the trunk latch might become damaged, preventing the trunk from being opened from the inside.
The recall covers the 2016-17 Rio subcompact car, 2016-18 Optima and 2017-18 Optima hybrid and plug-in hybrid midsize sedans. An additional 17,615 vehicles are being recalled in Canada, a Kia spokesperson said.
"A crack can develop in the pawl of the trunk latch base subassembly, which can intermittently cause the trunk's interior emergency release lever to be inoperative," according to a recall report submitted Aug. 24 to NHTSA.