The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5 AND 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINES, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CKP) CASES DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS.
The risk
INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR. A DAMAGED CKP CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CKP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kia Optima | 2001, 2002 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Optima | 2001 | 143 | 3 |
| Kia Optima | 2002 | 107 | 3 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2003
42 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the electrical system; KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. filed 38 campaigns in all.
| 03V528000 12 Dec 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V532000 12 Dec 2003 | GULF STREAM COACH, INC. |
| 03V494000 2 Dec 2003 | BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO. |
| 03V495000 2 Dec 2003 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
| 03V490000 1 Dec 2003 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 03V489000 1 Dec 2003 | TRAILEX, LES REMORQUES DE RIMOUSKI INC |
| 03V483000 25 Nov 2003 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 03V484000 19 Nov 2003 | SUPERIOR MANUFACTURING, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003