72,848 2013-2014 Kia Optima sedans with the 2.0- and 2.4-liter gasoline engines that were produced between November 15, 2012, and December 18, 2013, at Kia Georgia, are among the vehicles that have been recalled.
The issue: A damaged fuel pipe or one that doesn’t have heat-protective tape could cause a fuel leak and raise the possibility of a fire.
The solution: Kia dealerships will swap out the low-pressure fuel hose for free.
Contacting the manufacturer: Starting on April 15, 2022, Kia will mail notices to owners. Kia can be reached at 800-333-4542 by owners of the impacted vehicles.
22V093 is the NHTSA campaign number. These exact vehicles have already undergone recall 20V100 repairs. SC228 is the Kia recall number.
To see if your car is still subject to a recall, check:
You may find out whether there are any open recalls for your car on the NHTSA website.
Your vehicle does not currently have any open recalls if, after entering the 17-digit VIN of your automobile, nothing comes up on the NHTSA website. We advise checking back frequently to determine whether your car has received a recall because automakers frequently issue recalls and for many older vehicles.
Utilize our Car Recall Tracker to stay up to date on recalls that may apply to your car. To join CR, open a free account right away.
My profession is a direct result of my father purchasing a 1965 Corvette and me choosing an Audi A4 over a Chevy Tahoe. My passion for automobiles was sparked by the Corvette, and the Audi introduced me to automotive journalism, track days, and do-it-yourself vehicle repair. No matter the season, I cycle as much as I can in my spare time.
In This Article...
Are there any Kia Optima recalls?
Owners will be informed, and dealers will do a free engine test, inspection for gasoline and/or oil leaks, and any necessary repairs, including an engine replacement, at the owners’ expense. Additionally, Kia is now working on a software upgrade for the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) that, when ready, will be carried out by dealers at no cost. On January 27, 2021, the recall is anticipated to start. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. The recall number for Kia is SC200.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: Control unit/module
A select number of 2013-2015 Kia Optimas and 2014-2015 Kia Sorentos are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience brake fluid leakage, which could lead to an electrical short.
There is a higher chance of an engine compartment fire if the HECU shorts out.
Owners will be notified by Kia, and dealers will check the HECU for any brake fluid leaks and replace the HECU for free if necessary. Owners are urged to park their cars outside, away from other cars and buildings, until the recall fix is finished. On October 20, 2020, the recall started. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC197 is the Kia recall number.
Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Certain 2013-2014 Kia Optima vehicles powered by 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The heat produced inside the engine compartment might cause the low pressure gasoline hose to age and shatter over time.
The low pressure fuel hose will be inspected by Dealers for damage or leaks and replaced as necessary after Kia notifies Owners. An installation of heat-protective tape will take place if no damage or leaks are discovered. There will be no fees for the repairs. On June 12, 2020, the recall started. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC187 is the Kia recall number.
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Certain 2019 Optima vehicles with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). When a stationary vehicle is identified, a software glitch in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Aid (FCA) system may prevent the brake assist feature from activating.
The danger of a collision can increase with improper Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist intervention.
Owners will be informed by Kia, and dealers will update the FCA software at no cost. The 2019 recall started on August 27. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC179 is the Kia recall number.
Fuel system, gasoline, engine
Certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento, and 2011-2018 Sportage cars are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). These vehicles previously had their engines replaced under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. During the engine replacement process, the high pressure fuel line that links to the fuel pump output may have been broken, misaligned, or poorly torqued, potentially leading to a fuel leak.
A fuel leak with an ignite source nearby can make a fire more likely.
Owners have been informed by Kia, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe for free as needed. beginning on January 17, 2019, the recall. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC172 is the Kia recall number.
Air bags
Certain 20102013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 20112013 Kia Optima, 20112012 Kia Optima Hybrid, and Sedona vehicles are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit during a collision, which would prevent the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from inflating.
In the case of a car crash that calls for the deployment of these safety systems, there is a higher risk of injury to the occupants of the vehicle if the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled.
The fix for this recall is still being worked on. Plans call for the recall to start on July 27, 2018. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC165 is the Kia recall number.
What specific models is Kia recalling?
According to Consumer Reports, the following vehicles have been recalled: the 20162018 Hyundai Santa Fe, 20172018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL, the 20142015 Hyundai Tucson, 20142016 Kia Sportage SUVs, and the 20162018 Kia K900 sedan.
What Kia model and year are being recalled?
Nearly 485,000 Hyundai and Kia owners in the United States are being advised to park their vehicles outside because they still risk catching fire even when the engines are off.
The two Korean automakers’ recalls are the latest in a lengthy line of fire and engine failure issues that have plagued the businesses for the last six years.
This time, contamination in the antilock brake control module is the issue, which may result in an electrical short. This raises the possibility of a fire occurring while the cars are being driven or parked.
Affected models include some Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 to 2016 as well as the K900 sedan from 2016 to 2018. Certain Santa Fe SUVs from 2016 to 2018, Santa Fe Sports from 2017 to 2018, the 2019 Santa Fe XL, and Tucson SUVs from 2014 and 2015 are among the Hyundai models that have been recalled.
According to documents published on Tuesday by American safety officials, owners should park the cars outside and away from buildings while repairs are being completed.
When did the Kia Optima experience engine issues?
Engine issues with the Kia Optima are widely documented. According to reports, the 20112014 Kia Optima has a serious manufacturing problem with the engine that could lead to premature bearing wear. Uncontrollable engine seizing could result from this, raising the possibility of collisions or crashes.
Air bags: Frontal: Driver side: Inflator module
One 2016 Optima has been recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The frontal air bag’s ability to fully inflate in the event of a collision may have been compromised in this vehicle because the end seal for the driver’s air bag inflator may not have been placed correctly.
An air bag that does not fully inflate during a collision increases the chance of injury.
On January 10, 2017, a fix was made for the troubled automobile. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC143 is the Kia recall number.
Power train: Axle assembly: Axle shaft
Certain 2016 Kia Optima models with 2.4L engines and production dates between November 13, 2015, and April 23, 2016, are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The driveshaft for the right front axle could break.
The car won’t be able to move if the driveshaft splits and separates from it. Furthermore, if the parking brake is not engaged when getting out of the car, the car may roll. Any scenario has the potential to raise the crash risk.
Owners will be notified by Kia, and dealers will free of charge replace the driveshaft on the front axle. Beginning in November 2016, the recall. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC139 is the Kia recall number.
Air bags: Frontal
Certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles produced between November 10, 2015, and February 12, 2016, are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The second stage of the driver’s frontal air bag did not deploy in these vehicles because a chemical enhancer needed for it to did not load, necessitating collisions.
There is a higher chance of getting hurt or dying if the second stage air bag fails not deploy.
Owners will be notified by Kia, and dealers will free of charge replace the driver’s frontal air bag module. Beginning on May 6, 2016, the recall. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC131 is the Kia recall number.
Which Kia vehicles are subject to a 2021 recall?
Certain 2020-2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos vehicles with 2.0L Nu MPI engines are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). Engine damage could come from improper heat treatment of the piston oil rings. Tip: Not all vehicles from the same year, make, and model are subject to recalls.
Is the 2018 Kia Optima under recall?
A select number of 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). These cars come with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), which is intended to safeguard the high voltage battery pack from accidental activation.
What Must Be Fixed:
Owners will be informed, and dealers will install two newly created Battery Management Systems (BMS) with Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs) at no additional cost after removing the VPD switch. In May 2018, the recall is anticipated to start. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. The recall number for Kia is SC162.
What models of Kia engines are on fire?
According to Brooks, “the recall did not address the fundamental faults with the engine design that gave rise to these difficulties in the first place.”
Brooks informed the I-Team that a consumer alert is unavoidable in light of the most recent allegations from the I-Team as well as the continued complaints of flames and engine failures that the Center for Auto Safety is receiving.
We’ll start notifying consumers, he said, and work to spread the news to others looking at used autos.
The 4 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles produced between 2011 and 2019 that could be included in the consumer advisory all feature the Theta 2 engines that have been involved in multiple recalls.
- Hyundai Sonata 20112019
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 20132019
- Hyundai Tucson, Models 20142015, 20182019
- Kia Optima, 20112019
- Kia Sorento, 20122019
- Kia Sportage 20112019
According to Brooks, the only way to avoid these complaints from coming in “is to warn people to prevent them from owning one of these vehicles in the first place,” as stated by ABC Action News.
Regarding the announcement from the Center for Auto Safety, we contacted both automakers.
Hyundai’s reaction was
In order to solve engine problems, Hyundai has taken a variety of proactive measures, such as carrying out a number of recalls, introducing a new engine monitoring and diagnostic technology, offering extended warranties, and improving our customer service response. Hyundai promotes a culture of openness and responsibility because customer safety comes first in all we do.
Kia answered:
The safety of our cars is our first concern at Kia America. We promote an environment of openness and accountability, and we take great pride in the reliability of our products and our excellent safety record. As part of ongoing monitoring efforts, we regularly assess our vehicles, and we submit quarterly reports to NHTSA detailing any consumer complaints, notices, or claims for any safety issues. Every Kia car marketed in the US complies with or surpasses all requirements for vehicle safety set out by the federal government.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration declared in December that it would look further into the extent of the recalls and the efficacy of its remedies. NHTSA reported 158 injuries and over 5,000 fires as of December. Two deaths involving on-fire Kia Souls were covered by the I-Team.
Multiple flaws are linked to the fires in recent recalls. They include fuel line leaks that can cause vehicles to catch fire while moving, electrical issues with the anti-lock brake system, and defective recall repairs.
Thousands of Kia Optimas from 2011 to 2014 were recalled in 2018 as a result of the I-exposure Team’s of subpar recall repairs. The 2011 Optima owned by Mathias was exempt from the recall, though.
We requested Meier Fire Investigations’ Richard Meier, a fire investigator, to look over Mathias’ car. He came to the conclusion that there was a fuel pipe gas leak.
The fuel line connector coming off and spilling gasoline is the most likely reason, according to what Meier has seen so far.
According to Mathias, “You must correct those. That only increases the risk to more people.”
Several Kia fire victims, like Yolanda Lawson, informed us that their brakes failed after their cars caught fire. Both the conventional and emergency brakes, according to Yolanda, failed. To get the automobile to stop, she forced it into the median.
Fourteen months after his leased 2019 Kia Soul caught fire, Jordan Carlton passed away in 2020. Becky, his mother, who was in the car with him, got away. Jordan’s father, Robert Carlton, claimed that the brakes failed and kept his son from exiting the car in time to save himself.
The I-Team discovered that Yolanda’s 2017 Sportage was recalled by Kia in March 2021 due to a potential electrical fire hazard. Yolanda said that she was never notified of a recall.
Kia was requested by The I-Team to inspect Maureen Huckler’s 2015 Soul. According to a report that Kia gave to Maureen, the engine’s catastrophic failure, which left a hole in the engine block and caused engine oil to spill over the exhaust system, was what started the fire.
However, records indicate that the car was recalled in 2020 for an engine inspection to check for flaws that can cause a fire. In March 2021, the examination was carried out by a Kia dealer. After six months, the Soul caught fire.
2020 saw a $760 million settlement between Kia and Hyundai in a class-action lawsuit involving engine fires. As a result, Mathias and Yolanda might be eligible to receive funding to make up for their losses. Regarding the Kia Souls, litigation is still going on.