Kia/rear hatch door
Defect Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. a microswitch on the rear hatch lock cylinder can malfunction causing the power door locks to unlock inadvertently.
Safety Consequence
Should this occur, security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost.
Corrective Action
Dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Kia America, Inc. or involving Latches/locks/linkages.
FAQ: Recall 97V234000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 97V234000?
NHTSA recall 97V234000 was issued by Kia America, Inc. on December 17, 1997. It addresses: Kia/rear hatch door. The recall affects approximately 23,493 vehicles, with the defect involving the Latches/locks/linkages component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Kia America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 97V234000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.