Why Kia recalled 30,000 units of Kia Carens?

Kia India Announces Recall of 30,297 Units of Carens MI-JV for Software Update Kia India has issued a recall for the Carens three-row utility vehicle to conduct a software update. This recall affects a total of 30,297 units of the Carens MI-JV model manufactured between September 2022 and February 2023. 

The software update will be performed free of cost, and owners will be notified to bring their vehicles to the company service centre for inspection and, if necessary, the software update.

Kia Carens Holds Significance in Sales Ranking

The Kia Carens holds a prominent position in Kia India's sales lineup, following the Sonet and Seltos models. In the previous month, the company sold a total of 18,766 units, with the Sonet leading the sales charts at 8,251 units and the Carens securing the second position with 6,367 units sold. The Seltos recorded sales of 4,065 units. Currently, the Kia Carens have an average waiting period of around 10 months, depending on the chosen trim level.

Second Recall for Kia Carens

This marks the second recall for the Kia Carens since its launch in February 2022. Previously, in October 2022, over 4,000 units of the Carens were recalled due to software-related issues. The current recall addresses a specific problem with the instrument cluster of the Carens, which fails to boot up properly and can cause the digital instrument cluster to go blank. The software update will rectify this issue, and all models manufactured between September 2022 and February 2023 are included in the recall.

Powertrain Updates and New Features

Kia India has also updated the powertrains of the Sonet, Seltos, and Carens models to comply with BS6 Phase 2 emission norms. The updated powertrain options include a 1.5-litre NA petrol engine, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Additionally, the update introduces new features, such as a 12.5-inch digital instrument cluster, a leather-wrapped gear knob, and Alexa integration with the connected car platform. The Carens' prices have also been revised and now range from Rs 10.45 lakh to 18.95 lakh (ex-showroom).

Upcoming Unveilings and Facelifts

In the coming months, Kia India has exciting plans for its lineup. The Seltos facelift is scheduled to be unveiled on July 4, 2023, followed by the expected launch of the Carens facelift in September 2023. Additionally, Kia is preparing for the Sonet facelift, which is slated for release later this year.