Kia Optima Recalled Again to Address Fuel Leaks and Engine Fires
This recall is to address problems stemming from an earlier recall for the same problem
Another recall is being issued for the 2013-2014 Kia Optima sedan, this time for 72,848 cars to fix a low-pressure fuel hose that may cause a fire. This is the second time these specific vehicles have been recalled. They were previously recalled in 2020 because a fuel hose could crack.
According to the automaker, when dealers performed the initial recall they may not have properly repaired the low-pressure fuel hose with heat protective tape, while in other cases a fuel hose with evidence of damage was repaired with tape when it should have been replaced.
This is the latest in a series of fire-related recalls involving Hyundai and Kia cars. According to documentation filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 155 warranty claims, 12 customer complaints, and eight cases submitted to Kia’s internal dealer-support technical center that led to this latest action. There have been no reports of fires, fatalities, injuries, or crashes related to fuel-hose problems after the first recall was performed.
This time, dealerships will replace the low-pressure fuel hose with a new, improved one.
After more than 3,000 reports of fires and a petition from the Center for Auto Safety, an advocacy group, NHTSA launched an investigation into Hyundai and Kia vehicles that use a 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine design that both companies share, which is called the Theta II. A class-action lawsuit related to the fires is underway. Previous recalls of Hyundai and Kia vehicles involved faulty oil pans, catalytic converters, fuel leaks, oil leaks, and engine problems.
The key takeaway for owners is that even if previous recall work was performed, it is important to heed this new recall alert.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: 72,848 Kia Optima sedans from the 2013-2014 model years equipped with the 2.0- and 2.4-liter gasoline engines that were manufactured between Nov. 15, 2012, and Dec. 18, 2013, at Kia Georgia.
The problem: A fuel hose may be damaged or lack heat-protective tape, which could result in a fuel leak and increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Kia dealerships will replace the low-pressure fuel hose at no cost to the vehicle owner.
How to contact the manufacturer: Kia will notify owners via mail starting April 15, 2022. Owners of affected vehicles may call Kia at 800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V093. These same cars were previously repaired under recall number 20V100. Kia’s number for this recall is SC228.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open 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, your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
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