SACRAMENTO (SafetyAlerts) - The California Air Resources Board (ARB) today announced the recall of 6,019 Kia Sephia passenger vehicles because of failed tests for that state's evaporative emissions standards.

ARB's In-Use Compliance Program  tested a representative sample of Kia vehicles owned by average consumers.  Half of the vehicles failed to meet evaporative emission standards because of defective, leaking hoses that recover gasoline fumes from the vehicles' fuel systems.

Vapor leaks present a health hazard to vehicle occupants, and contribute smog- forming emissions to the air.  If all the vehicles in question had active leaks, they could have contributed approximately 5.7 tons-per-year of smog-forming emissions to California's air.

"This failure is the result of defective hoses Kia purchased from an outside vendor, but the auto company is required to remedy the problem," said ARB Chairman Dr. Alan C. Lloyd.

The recall applies to 1996 and 1997 Kia Sephia vehicles built between July 1, 1995 and November 4, 1996.  The repairs involve changing all vapor hoses in the fuel tank area.

The recall effort started July 15 with letters mailed to vehicle owners advising them to take the cars to Kia dealerships to have them repaired.  As required by ARB regulations, the repairs will be done at no cost to the vehicle owners.

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