Kia Motors UK is recalling 816 new Sportage SUVs to replace possibly defective handbrake ratchet and pawl assemblies.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The recall was made by parent company Kia Motors Corporation following the discovery of a possible manufacturing defect in South Korea that could result in the parking brake failing to engage even when properly applied. No cases of the fault have been reported in the UK, however.


Almost 3,000 units of the new Sportage, introduced at the start of the year, have been sold so far but the recall applies only to specific vehicles manufactured in April and May 2005.


Kia dealers will replace the handbrake assembly in an operation taking about 40 minutes.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact