Kia's China venture recalling 18,135 cars over faulty wheels

A Chinese joint venture with South Korea's Kia Motors Corp. was ordered to recall a total of 18,135 K5 mid-sized sedans because of faulty wheels, China's consumer quality regulator said Tuesday. Starting Tuesday, Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motor started recalling the vehicles in China that were produced between Sept. 7, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2012, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in a statement posted on its website. In case of an insufficient tire pressure, the problem with the wheel hubs may cause them to break by a strong impact, according to the statement. It was not immediately known whether there are any injuries due to the faulty wheels. Officials at Kia's Chinese unit were not immediately available for comment. Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motor is a joint venture of Kia and two Chinese firms -- Dongfeng Motor Corp. and Jiangsu Yueda Investment Co.