(RNN) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Hyundai and Kia to find out if the manufacturers issued recalls in a timely and effective manner.
In 2011 and 2012, Hyundai recalled roughly 470,000 Sonata (2011-2012) models for engine defects. However, NHTSA is looking into whether that recalled was sufficient.
The investigation was spurred after Hyundai expanded its recall in March 2017 to include 572,000 Sonata (2013-2014) and Sante Fe Sport (2013-2014) models. Accord to CNET, a whistleblower from South Korea revealed that the manufacturer was withholding from recalling the additional vehicles, and Hyundai subsequently issued the new recall.
Kia is also a part of the investigation. After the whistleblower's actions, it issued recalls for 618,000 Optima (2012-2014), Sorento (2011-2013) and Sportage (2001-2013) models.
The primary question of the investigation is whether Hyundai and Kia were intentionally not issuing recalls for vehicles with the same model engine as the initial batch.
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