The defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Optima hybrid vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a Voltage Protection Device (VPD), designed to protect the high voltage battery module, that may activate inadvertently.
The risk
If the VPD activates while the vehicle is being operated in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, there may be a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the VPD switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) that contain Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC162.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kia Optima | 2017, 2018 |
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 | 2017 | 257 | 3 |
| Kia Optima | 2018 | 233 | 2 |
Other hybrid propulsion system recalls in 2018
11 of the 912 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2018 concerned the hybrid propulsion system; Kia Motors America filed 82 campaigns in all.
| 18V740000 19 Oct 2018 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) |
| 18V704000 5 Oct 2018 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 18V684000 4 Oct 2018 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing |
| 18V666000 25 Sept 2018 | Kia Motors America |
| 18V397000 14 Jun 2018 | General Motors LLC |
| 18V260000 24 Apr 2018 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 18V257000 20 Apr 2018 | Kia Motors America |
| 18V215000 4 Apr 2018 | Zero Motorcycles Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2018