The defect
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.
The risk
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kia Forte | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| Kia Forte Koup | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| Kia Optima Hybrid | 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| Kia Sorento | 2012, 2013 |
| Kia Soul | 2014, 2015 |
| Kia Sportage | 2012 |
Components: ENGINE
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 Forte | 2012 | 292 | 4 |
| Kia Forte | 2013 | 195 | 5 |
| Kia Forte | 2014 | 444 | 3 |
| Kia Forte | 2015 | 260 | 1 |
| Kia Forte Koup | 2012 | 14 | 4 |
| Kia Forte Koup | 2013 | 16 | 4 |
| Kia Forte Koup | 2014 | 1 | 2 |
| Kia Forte Koup | 2015 | 0 | 1 |
| Kia Optima Hybrid | 2011 | 34 | 3 |
| Kia Optima Hybrid | 2012 | 109 | 3 |
| Kia Optima Hybrid | 2013 | 55 | 2 |
| Kia Sorento | 2012 | 880 | 5 |
| Kia Sorento | 2013 | 982 | 5 |
| Kia Soul | 2014 | 902 | 5 |
| Kia Soul | 2015 | 902 | 4 |
| Kia Sportage | 2012 | 392 | 5 |
Other engine recalls in 2020
17 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the engine; Kia Motors America filed 82 campaigns in all.
| 20V795000 17 Dec 2020 | Ford Motor Company |
| 20V788000 17 Dec 2020 | Ford Motor Company |
| 20V746000 1 Dec 2020 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 20V687000 6 Nov 2020 | Autocar, LLC |
| 20V667000 29 Oct 2020 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 20V597000 29 Sept 2020 | Volvo Bus Corporation |
| 20V466000 7 Aug 2020 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 20V460000 6 Aug 2020 | Ducati North America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020