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Kia Announces Voluntary Recall for Windshield Wiper Link

20 November 1999

    IRVINE, Calif.,-- Kia announced Friday a voluntary recall of 1998 and 1999 
Sephia compact sedans to replace the windshield wiper link.

    A total of 83,403 Sephias will be recalled due to a ball socket in the
windshield wiper link that could be out of tolerance and wiper arm retaining
nuts that could be inadequately tightened.  If the wiper link disengages from
the wiper motor when it meets resistance from ice or snow, for example, or if
the retaining nuts are not adequately tightened, the windshield wipers could
stop functioning.  In bad weather, forward visibility could be noticeably
reduced.

    Sephia owners are being asked by mail to bring their vehicle to a Kia
dealership so that the wiper link can be replaced and the wiper arm retaining
nuts can be re-tightened.  The procedure will take less than an hour and will
be done at no charge.

    Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia
Motors Corp. of Seoul, South Korea.