Engineering Analysis · Closed
REFUELING SPIT BACK
Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
This investigation led to a recall
NHTSA links this probe to recall campaign 00V175000.
Read the recall: what is defective and the free fix →What NHTSA is examining
The number and dates of complaints and warrant claims reported by Kia indicates that fuel spit-back has been a serieous ongoing problem with the Sephia models.Kia has made changes in both the ORVR valve and in the installation process on the fuel tank check valve, in an attempt to correct the problem.The failure of the check valve, due to cracking during installation, could go undetected until problems develop with the ORVR valve.Should an ORVR valve malfunction, when the vehicle has a tank chech valve with a latent crack, significant fuel spitting out the fuel filler pipe during refueling is possible.Current owners of 1998 and 1999 models could still be driving vehicles with latent defects.
Vehicles under investigation
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation records, updated daily. An investigation is not a determination that a defect exists; many probes close without a recall.