# NHTSA recall 02V216000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 02V216000
- Manufacturer's number: SC027
- Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
- Reported: 2002\-08\-16
- Owners notified: 2002\-12\-20
- Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Units potentially affected: 189706

## What is wrong

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.


## What can happen

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.


## The remedy

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002.    OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1\-800\-333\-4542.


## Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1\-888\-DASH\-2\-DOT \(1\-888\-327\-4236\).


## Vehicles this campaign lists

- [1995 KIA SEPHIA](/makes/kia/sephia/1995/recalls.md). Built 1994\-06\-06 to 1998\-05\-15.
- [1996 KIA SEPHIA](/makes/kia/sephia/1996/recalls.md). Built 1994\-06\-06 to 1998\-05\-15.
- [1997 KIA SEPHIA](/makes/kia/sephia/1997/recalls.md). Built 1994\-06\-06 to 1998\-05\-15.
- [1998 KIA SEPHIA](/makes/kia/sephia/1998/recalls.md). Built 1994\-06\-06 to 1998\-05\-15.
- [1995 KIA SPORTAGE](/makes/kia/sportage/1995/recalls.md). Built 1994\-10\-20 to 1998\-06\-24.
- [1996 KIA SPORTAGE](/makes/kia/sportage/1996/recalls.md). Built 1994\-10\-20 to 1998\-06\-24.
- [1997 KIA SPORTAGE](/makes/kia/sportage/1997/recalls.md). Built 1994\-10\-20 to 1998\-06\-24.
- [1998 KIA SPORTAGE](/makes/kia/sportage/1998/recalls.md). Built 1994\-10\-20 to 1998\-06\-24.

## Investigated as PE02051

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

- PE02051: Preliminary evaluation, opened 2002\-06\-17, closed 2002\-09\-20. SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION. SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/02V216000/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/02V216000/investigations)

## Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

- [027](/bulletins/10000033.md), 2003-02-10, Service bulletin
- [027](/bulletins/10000032.md), 2003-02-10, Service bulletin

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/02V216000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/02V216000)

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