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Kia Optima Hybrid Battery Protection Device Issue

NHTSA campaign 18V161000 · Reported Mar 8, 2018 · Kia Motors America

high How serious is it? About this label

Losing power unexpectedly while driving increases the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	18V161000
Reported to NHTSA	Mar 8, 2018
Manufacturer	Kia Motors America
Part affected	Hybrid Propulsion System
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Some Optima hybrid vehicles have a voltage protection device meant to guard the high-voltage battery, and it may switch on when it shouldn't. If this happens while you're driving in electric mode, the vehicle can suddenly lose power.

What you should do

Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is included.
Contact a Kia dealer, or call Kia at 1-800-333-4542, to schedule the repair.
The battery management system replacement is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 18V161000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2018 Kia Optima

Who to contact

Kia — official Kia recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-333-4542

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

Other Kia Optima recalls

Aug 24, 2023Kia Optima trunk latch may crack, trapping someone insidemedium
Jul 19, 2019Kia Optima Collision Braking Software May Not Engagemedium

Official notice

Component: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Summary: 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.
Safety 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.
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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.