Kia Optimas Are Recalled Because of a Fire Risk

Keith Barry
·2 min read

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Kia is recalling over 140,000 of its 2013 and 2014 Optima sedans because of a fuel leak that may lead to a fire.

The problem is caused by a faulty fuel hose that could deteriorate quickly and develop cracks. This could cause fuel to leak and may increase the risk of a fire. Drivers may notice a gasoline smell.

In a written statement, Kia said it’s still developing a fix for this problem. The automaker added that it's not aware of any fires, accidents, or injuries as a result of it.

The vehicles involved in this recall are powered by versions of the Theta II engine, which is used in Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is currently investigating more than 3,000 reports of fires unrelated to collisions in vehicles powered by this engine.

The Details

Vehicles recalled: Certain Kia Optima sedans manufactured from Nov. 15, 2012, through Dec. 18, 2013, that were equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and 2.0L GDI Turbo engines.

The problem: A faulty fuel hose may develop cracks over time because of exposure to heat from the engine. If the fuel hose leaks, the risk of a fire increases.

The fix: Kia has not yet developed a fix for this problem.

How to contact the manufacturer: Customers can call Kia at 800-333-4542 or contact their Kia dealer directly. The automaker says it will notify consumers starting April 16, 2020.

NHTSA campaign number: 20V100. Kia's own number for this recall is SC187.

Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any recalls that need to be addressed.

If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.



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