2017–2018 Kia Optima recall: hybrid / ev battery
⚠️ What's wrong
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.
💥 The risk
If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
🔧 The fix
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.
Is the fix free? Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer under federal law, including parts and labor. (Vehicles more than 15 years old when the recall was announced can be excluded, but most manufacturers still fix them.)
- NHTSA campaign
- 18V161000
- Manufacturer recall #
- SC162
- Manufacturer
- Kia Motors America
- Vehicles affected
- 1,710
- Component
- HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Owner phone
- 1-800-333-4542
- NHTSA hotline
- 1-888-327-4236
- Owner letters mailed
- May 3, 2018
- Built
- Aug 25, 2016 – Sep 11, 2017
- Recall started by
- MFR
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.