The defect
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION IN THE CABLE. IF PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY'S DOWEL PIN PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. THE SHIFT LEVER CAN THEN BE MOVED INTO THE PARK (P) POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE LAST USED GEAR BEFORE DETACHMENT.
The risk
IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INJURE A PERSON IN ITS PATH OR CAUSE A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kia Optima | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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 | 2006 | 155 | 2 |
| Kia Optima | 2007 | 167 | 2 |
| Kia Optima | 2008 | 144 | 3 |
Other power train recalls in 2011
39 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the power train; KIA MOTORS CORPORATION filed 11 campaigns in all.
| 11V595000 20 Dec 2011 | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
| 11V589000 19 Dec 2011 | NAVISTAR, INC |
| 11V594000 19 Dec 2011 | COTTRELL, INC. |
| 11V582000 8 Dec 2011 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 11V558000 18 Nov 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V537000 3 Nov 2011 | HINO MOTORS SALES U.S.A., INC. |
| 11V509000 20 Oct 2011 | PJ TRAILERS |
| 11V476000 15 Sept 2011 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011