Kia Sorento Steering Column Separation

Did you lose control of your Kia Sorento and crash when the steering wheel separated? You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Florida Products Liability Attorney Jason Turchin and his team of Florida injury attorneys has handled many claims involving accidents and injuries resulting from automotive defects following a car accident. Call us today at (800) 337-7755 to find out how we can assist you with your claim.

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Steering Wheel Separation in your Kia Sorento

In September 2018, Kia Motors of America notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a steering wheel defect affecting the 2018 Kia Sorento.

This recall concerns a manufacturing defect in which the cowl cross bar may be improperly welded to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) due to a misalignment of the cowl cross bar bracket. This defect may can cause the bracket to suddenly detach, which will result in the steering column’s separation from the cowl cross bar. When separation occurs, the steering wheel can become loose or completely detached during the normal operation of your car, resulting in loss of steering.

The driver may become aware of the separation between the steering column and the cowl cross bar when she feels an increased “looseness” of the steering wheel or when she hears a loud clunking noise coming from the steering column when turning the wheel. The defect could cause a driver to lose control and crash, causing serious injury or death.

What is a Manufacturing Defect?

Manufacturing defects are one of three types of defects concerning products liability. This defect occurs when the vehicle is assembled in a careless or negligent way.

The plaintiff can hold Kia accountable for a manufacturing defect in three ways:

• The plaintiff can show strict liability by proving that Kia’s defective steering column itself was unsafe.
• The plaintiff can prove negligence by demonstrating that the manufacturer breached his duty of care to consumers by not acting as a reasonably prudent person in the same or similar circumstances would have when assembling and welding the cowl cross bar to the power steering bracket.
• The plaintiff can prove breach of implied warranty based on her reasonable expectations regarding the safety features of the vehicle. No reasonable person purchasing a car would suspect that the steering wheel might detach while driving it.

What can Happen if my Steering Wheel Detaches?

When the cowl cross bar separates from the steering column, you can easily lose control of your vehicle in a number of ways.

If the steering column separates completely, the driver will be left without a functioning steering wheel. This can easily lead to a car accident because the driver will only be able to rely on her gas pedal and brakes to get her safely off the road and out of harm’s way. On highways and busy streets, this can be a difficult if not impossible task for most drivers.

Mere loosening of the steering column can still have catastrophic results. When the steering wheel comes loose, it is easy to quickly and unexpectedly lose control of the vehicle, which can also lead to a crash.

Injuries from loss of steering that result in a crash may include fractures, lacerations, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, bruises, and even death.

If you were injured in an accident that was caused by a steering wheel separation in your 2018 Kia Sorento, don’t hesitate to call. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Also, if your loved one was killed in a 2018 Kia Sorento and you suspect a loss of control caused or contributed to the death, call our product liability attorneys to investigate.

Get in touch with a Products Liability Attorney in Florida to find out how we can help you get started on your claim. Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today at (800) 337-7755 today for your free consultation.