It happened on the 12 April 2003. I was on my way from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh using PLUS highway. Passengers in the car included my wife and my 7 years-old son.
At about 5:30pm, just before reaching Gua Tempurong, traveling at a speed of 100km/hr., I wanted to overtake a lorry. But when I steered my wheel to the right towards the fast lane, I realized that the steering was just loose and not responding.
The shock I received was unimaginable. At that speed, going down the slope; immediately after a bend, with the car beyond control, the first thing that came to my mind was: “That's it. We are all going to die.”
The next thought that came to my mind was to turn on the hazard flasher to warn other drivers that came by. But where was the switch? It took me some time to locate it as it was blocked by the steering wheel.
Can you see where the hazard light switch is located?
Yes, it is hidden well behind the steering wheel. Very bad design.
With the hazard lights on; applying brake slowly, as I was afraid that the vehicle might swing if I gave the brake a hard press. The car slipped towards the center divider at the fast lane, I have no choice but to apply a hard brake to stop the vehicle from hitting the divider. It worked and missed the divider by just half a foot.
Stopped just a foot away from the highway divider. My family members still inside the car.
See the traffic congestion started building up?
I could not recall how the hi-speed vehicles from the back overtook and missed me, but I constantly heard angry and continuous horn from them. Thanks to their expert driving skills and alertness.
When the vehicle halted, I shouted to my wife to remain in the car and have the safety belt secured, I jumped out of the car, rushed to the back of the car, waved and warned on-coming vehicles to keep to the left. I was lucky that there were no reckless drivers or sleepy drivers at that time, but the thought of death still tingling in my mind. I kept waving my hands even though I felt the stiffness of my deltoid muscles right down to the phalanges. I tried to call for help but both my phone and my wife's phone had no reception.
About 10 minutes later, I felt much relieved when I finally saw the PLUS truck approaching from the back. Only then the symptoms of fear aroused. My body began to shiver and my legs were unstable.
The arrival of toll truck. Praised to their efficiency.
PLUS staffs did not come to rescue on receiving information. Coincidently, they were actually on their way back to their office. Very soon later, the Police petrol car came too. All of them were very efficient and friendly.
Police petrol car arrived too. The 2 policemen were quite friendly
After calming myself down, I decided to open up the bonnet to check on what actually went wrong. To my horror, I noticed that the intermediate shaft had dislodged from the joint. Apparently the screw that was supposed to tighten the shaft to the joint had gone missing.
What puzzled me then was:
How could this defect happen to a brand new (less than 4 months old) vehicle?
Where is the quality control?
Do the manufacturer and distributor know that the negligence had put my whole family into a stage of horror, shock and life threatening?
How about other Kia Sportage vehicles of the same batch, do they have this problem too? Are these drivers' lives being threatened too?
The big joke was, just before leaving Kuala Lumpur, I told my wife that even though it consumed more fuel, I would rather drive the Kia Sportage instead of our another car TOYOTA COROLLA SEG1.6 with ABS, because I felt that Kia Sportage was a safer car. If that TOYOTA has brain and sense, he should be laughing till now.
After the incident, I have lodged a complaint to the local distributor, i.e.
General Manager
NAZA KIA SDN. BHD.
12, 4thFloor, Wisma Naza
Jalan Sungai Besi
57100 Kuala Lumpur
As usual, it had fallen into deaf ears.
Tow truck was called
The Kia Sportage was towed to a workshop in Gopeng town.
I continued my journey after the repair.
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