2023 Kia Sportage Center Muffler Emissions Campaign SC239

Symptoms

The primary concern addressed by this campaign is that the vehicle's center muffler may not meet U.S. EPA regulations. This could potentially cause the vehicle to release air pollutants exceeding Federal and California emissions standards. Owners may not experience any direct operational symptoms or warning lights related to this issue.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

To determine if a vehicle is affected, technicians will perform a specific inspection. They will raise the vehicle and locate the center muffler. A number stamped on the muffler's surface will then be checked. The correct, compliant muffler is identified by the stamp "2SECO", while an incorrect, non-compliant muffler is identified by "2JASO". This inspection is crucial for identifying the specific 2023 Kia Sportage center muffler that needs attention.

Repair Procedure Summary

If the inspection reveals that the center muffler is the incorrect "2JASO" type, it will be replaced. The repair involves removing the existing center muffler assembly and installing a new one. It is critical that a new rear gasket is used during installation, as the old gasket must not be reused. The complete procedure is detailed in the "Engine Mechanical System → Intake and Exhaust System → Muffler → Removal and installation" section of the applicable Shop Manual on KGIS.

Required Tools or Parts

To perform the inspection and replacement, the following parts may be required:

• Center Muffler Assembly: Part Number 28650 CW380
• Gasket: Part Number 28751 3S100
• Campaign Completion Label: Part Number UT160 SC239 (required for specific states)
• Vehicle Emission Recall Proof of Correction Card: Part Number UT161 SC239 (required for specific states)

Important Warnings

Owners should be aware of several key points regarding this campaign:

• "There is no charge to the vehicle owner for this repair."
• "Under applicable law, you may not sell or otherwise deliver any affected vehicle until it has been repaired pursuant to the procedures set forth in this bulletin."
• "DO NOT reuse the center muffler rear gasket, install a new part."
• "DO NOT COMPLETE THE CARD UNLESS THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN WORK IS COMPLETED."
• "Completion Label and Proof of Correction Card only required for vehicles registered in CA, CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT, and WA 'States' only."

Owner Action

Owners of affected 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles should contact their authorized Kia dealer to schedule an inspection. The inspection and any necessary replacement of the center muffler will be performed free of charge. Dealers will verify if the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs using the WebDCS Warranty Coverage Inquiry screen. If the muffler is found to be incorrect, dealers will order the necessary part before the customer's return visit to ensure a smooth repair process for the 2023 Kia Sportage center muffler issue.

Source: NHTSA ID 10219691