Kia has issued a recall for about 319,000 cars because their emergency trunk release levers can cease functioning. The emergency trunk release lever lets someone trapped in the trunk escape.

Recalled models include:

Kia tells the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “A crack can develop in the pawl of the trunk latch base subassembly, which can intermittently cause the trunk’s interior emergency release lever to be inoperative.”

Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly with a new one to fix the problem. Recall repairs are always free.

Recall repairs are always free. Manufacturers attempt to contact every owner but don’t always reach them all with the news. Find out if your car has ever been recalled at our recall center.