Kia Optima recalls: open campaigns & free repairs
Safety recalls affecting the Kia Optima across the last 12 model years, from the official NHTSA recall database. Every open recall is repaired free by a Kia dealer.
Check your exact VIN on NHTSA.govRecall campaigns (7)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
Kia Motors America (Kia) has recalled one 2016 Optima vehicle. In this vehicle, the end seal for the driver's frontal air bag inflator may not have been properly installed, possibly resulting in reduced inflation of the frontal air bag in the event of a crash.
Remedy: The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC143.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 13, 2015, to April 23, 2016 and equipped with a 2.4l engine. The right front axle driveshaft may crack and fail.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC139.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016 Kia Optima vehicles manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016. In these vehicles, a chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's frontal air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC131.
How to get the free repair
- 1
Confirm the recall applies to your VIN
Recall campaigns cover specific production ranges. Enter your 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA lookup to confirm which open recalls apply to your exact Kia Optima.
- 2
Schedule the free repair with a Kia dealer
Call any franchised Kia dealer, reference the NHTSA campaign number, and schedule the remedy. Recall repairs are free by federal law, regardless of the vehicle's age.
- 3
Keep records — and check for reimbursement
Save the repair order. If you paid to fix the defect before the recall was announced, ask the manufacturer about its reimbursement plan.
Kia Optima recall FAQ
Does my Kia Optima have an open recall?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting recent Kia Optima model years. Whether your specific car is included depends on its production range — confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Is the Kia Optima recall repair really free?
Yes. Federal law requires Kia to remedy safety recalls free of charge at franchised dealers — parts and labor — no matter the vehicle's age or how many owners it has had.
What if I bought the car used?
Recall remedies follow the vehicle, not the owner. Any current owner can get the free repair — used-car owners often have open recalls the previous owner ignored.
Good to know
- Recall repairs never expire with vehicle age for most campaigns — schedule them even on older cars.
- Dealers cannot charge you for a recall remedy, including parts and labor.
- If you paid for the repair before the recall, keep receipts and ask about manufacturer reimbursement.
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