The defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
The risk
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kia Optima | 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| Kia Sorento | 2014, 2015 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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 | 2013 | 1,386 | 9 |
| Kia Optima | 2014 | 590 | 7 |
| Kia Optima | 2015 | 1,009 | 4 |
| Kia Sorento | 2014 | 988 | 6 |
| Kia Sorento | 2015 | 754 | 3 |
Other service brakes, hydraulic recalls in 2020
44 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the service brakes, hydraulic; Kia Motors America filed 82 campaigns in all.
| 20V808000 22 Dec 2020 | General Motors, LLC |
| 20V806000 21 Dec 2020 | Daimler Trucks North America, LLC |
| 20V802000 21 Dec 2020 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| 20V807000 21 Dec 2020 | Daimler Trucks North America, LLC |
| 20V786000 16 Dec 2020 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| 20V782000 15 Dec 2020 | Volvo Trucks North America |
| 20V778000 11 Dec 2020 | Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA |
| 20V748000 1 Dec 2020 | Hyundai Motor America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020