Safety regulators in the US have opened an investigation into an estimated 64,117 Kia Sorento SUVs following 15 consumer complaints that the optional glass sunroof had shattered.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary evaluation of the SUVs from model years 2001 to 2013 after receiving the complaints, 13 of which occurred while the vehicle was moving according to documents filed online.
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The NHTSA said it also had received “early warning” field report data on the issue from Kia. The company said it had been evaluating the performance of its panoramic sunroofs as part of a standard practice for all models.
It said in a statement: “To date, the identified cause of investigated sunroof breakage has been debris impact or hail. Kia Motors will continue to research this issue and share the results of its research information with NHTSA.”
A preliminary evaluation is the first step in a process that could lead to a safety recall.
