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 Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
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.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while a family member was driving and exiting a parking lot, the vehicle turned off, causing the vehicle to lose power. The contact stated that there was a burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle with an audible clicking sound coming from the starter motor. The vehicle was towed to a local authorized dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V224000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and Kia Warranty Bulletin 2017-09.R4 as the possible causes for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but refused to accept or authorize the recall repair because the vehicle had a salvage title. The authorized dealer also declined to service the vehicle due to the salvage title. The failure mileage was 77,500.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
I own a 2011 Kia Optima, VIN [XXX]. My vehicle was taken to Rockwall Kia on August 25, 2026, for completion of NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-652 / Kia SC284TF involving the HECU fuse. The dealership replaced the HECU multi-fuse and label kit. Before the recall repair, the vehicle was operating normally. The same day I picked the vehicle up after the recall repair, the vehicle began dying while I was driving. I also noticed a burning smell. I returned the vehicle to Rockwall Kia. Their August 31, 2026 repair order documents my complaint and states that the vehicle would die while driving and that this problem “DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER RECALL COMPLETED.” The repair order instructs the technician to inspect whether the recall was completed properly and diagnose the concern. I am concerned because the HECU recall involves an electrical short/overcurrent condition and Kia's recall documentation specifically identifies burning/melting smell and smoke as warning symptoms. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review whether the post-recall stalling and burning smell could be related to the HECU recall repair or indicate a continuing safety problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
No injuries · No fire · No crash
I was having trouble with my left driver tire. 2 mechanics went to test drive the car to see what the problem was. As they were driving, the car died. They got it started but it ran horrible back to the garage. When they pulled in the driveway of the garage, the car started on fire. It was an engine fire but undetermined what exactly was the cause. The vehicle was looked over by the insurance claims adjustor. I am not sure if sluggish driving had anything to do with the fire. The car is totaled.
The vehicle's engine had previously been replaced once under Kia's Theta II engine recall/warranty program approximately five years prior to this incident. On the date of failure, the replacement engine catastrophically failed while the vehicle was in operation, resulting in the engine developing a hole in the engine block and becoming inoperable. Prior to the failure, the vehicle exhibited a "check engine" warning and symptoms consistent with connecting rod bearing failure. Diagnostic trouble codes P1326 and P0303 were present upon inspection at an authorized Kia dealership. The failure occurred at approximately 198,000 miles. This is the second engine failure on this vehicle, both consistent with the known Theta II engine defect involving premature bearing wear and connecting rod failure that has been the subject of prior NHTSA recalls and a related class action settlement. The failure created a risk of sudden loss of engine power while driving, which can pose a safety hazard in traffic. The vehicle was inspected by the authorized Kia dealership, which confirmed the hole in the engine block and the diagnostic codes noted above. The engine and related repair estimate are available for inspection upon request. A warranty claim for repair coverage was submitted and denied by the manufacturer, citing insufficient maintenance documentation, despite this being the vehicle's second occurrence of the same underlying defect.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
About six months ago, I lost the heated steering wheel functionality in my steering wheel, then from there, I slowly lost functionality like cruise control, and the most recent now my airbag and horn do not work. If you press on the horn, it is silent, and the airbag light has been illuminated consistently for the last couple of months. I had this issue diagnosed and it came up with the codes of B1346. And B1481. After some research, these issues are the result of a bad clock, spring and cause the airbag and horn not to work. Additionally, this issue is known to this model the 2011 Kia Optima, and has been recalled in most production cases of this vehicle, but my vehicle is not included. I received a quote for $876 from a dealership to get this corrected, but it should be included in the recall.
No injuries · No fire · No crash