Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
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."
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Optima vehicles. The right and left headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 20V-100. The low pressure fuel hose may be damaged, or missing heat-protective tape, which can result in a fuel leak.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
On October 25, 2026, while traveling eastbound on US Highway 74 near Bryson City, North Carolina, my 2020 Kia Optima 2.4L GDI experienced a sudden and substantial loss of engine power while driving through mountainous terrain. The check-engine light began flashing, and the vehicle entered what appeared to be reduced-power or limp mode. The engine remained running, but acceleration and available engine power were significantly reduced. This created a serious safety concern due to the mountainous highway conditions and surrounding traffic. I immediately pulled over at the first safe opportunity and did not continue driving the vehicle. My partner, who was approximately six months pregnant, was traveling with me. We remained stranded along the roadside for approximately three hours awaiting assistance, approximately 202 miles from home. Diagnostic trouble code P1326 was subsequently identified. There were no noticeable knocking, rattling, or ticking noises before or after the incident. The oil-pressure warning light did not illuminate. After the incident, the engine oil level was checked and found to be between the minimum and maximum dipstick markings. Timestamped photographs were taken during the towing process and at dealership drop-off. The vehicle was transported to a Kia dealership, where a bearing clearance test was performed and passed. The dealership also identified an external oil leak. However, the cause of the sudden loss of power and P1326 activation has not been conclusively established. I am reporting this incident because the unexpected and substantial loss of engine power while driving on a mountainous highway created a potentially dangerous situation. I am concerned that the condition could recur and pose a safety risk to other drivers and passengers.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
Driving car on highway Car would not accelerate Stalled engine loud noise all lights are on now
No injuries · No fire · No crash
There is a known issue with this vehicle and the fix by KIA is not safe nor fair to the consumer. Kia's knock sensor recall centers on the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update for Theta II GDI engines. The update listens for rod bearing wear, triggers a check engine light and limp mode via Code P1326, and extends the engine warranty up to a lifetime or 15 years/150,000 miles. My problem is that we had to car in on May of 2026 after in went into limp mode. They updated the software. The car again went into limp mode on 10/21/2026, they updated the software again. My focus here is the fact that it is a known issue and they say it still does not meet the parameters for an engine replacement. It is a severe issue that is dangerous and inconvenient to the driver. You are afraid to take it on a trip or even take it on a highway. My 20 year old daughter drives this to college. Can you imagine a car going into limp mode on a majory US highway? Limp mode essentially does not allow a vehicle to go above 2K RPM. You cant go up a hill over 35 and on a highway, on a flat road you "might" be able to go 55 MPH. My daughter goes to college 4 hours away. This creates a very unsafe, dangerous and inconvenient environment. KIA is hoping that they can buy time until these vehicles fail for some other reason and they dont have to pay the cost for a new engine.... ALL at the consumers peril. To put this in perspective, if you have a vehicle with a "low tire pressure" warning, does lowering the sensors parameters fix the problem.... No, it just turns off the warning and you are driving a car with low tire pressure.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
1. Component or system that failed/malfunctioned & availability for inspection: The Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system and the steering column assembly have failed. The vehicle and the defective steering column are fully available for inspection upon request. 2. How safety was put at risk: A known, dealer-diagnosed defective steering column compromises structural steering control. Operating a vehicle with an unresolved steering column defect creates an immediate risk of catastrophic steering failure, locking, or sudden loss of control at high speeds, placing myself, my passengers, and other drivers in imminent danger. 3. Reproduction or confirmation by a dealer/independent center: The problem was explicitly confirmed by a certified Kia dealership. After a prior flex coupler repair, a severe whining noise immediately developed upon leaving the lot. I returned the car, and the dealership's secondary inspection confirmed that the entire steering column was defective and required complete replacement. They issued an official itemized cost invoice for the replacement work. 4. Inspection by manufacturer, police, insurance, or others: The component was formally inspected by the local authorized Kia dealership. However, the dealership subsequently misinformed Kia Corporate by falsely reporting that the vehicle was fully "resolved" to close the corporate case file, leaving the safety hazard unaddressed. 5. Warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms: There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. The primary symptom was a distinct, loud whining noise that developed immediately following the dealer's physical teardown and replacement of the steering flex coupler. The issue became persistent from that exact date forward.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Optima. While driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power but continued to drive under reduced power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure nearly caused a crash. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly's, where three knock sensor codes were retrieved. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V652000 (Service Brake, Hydraulic), 22V093000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and 22V560000 (Structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 125,055.
No injuries · No fire · No crash