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Kia Optima automatic emergency braking may not engage

NHTSA campaign 19V539000 · Reported 2019-07-19 · Kia Motors America

medium How serious is it? About this label

Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

These cars have a system that watches the road ahead and is supposed to help brake if you are about to hit something. A software mistake means the braking help may not kick in when the car ahead of you is stopped and not moving. Because the system may not react the way you expect, a crash is more likely. The dealer will load corrected software free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your Optima is included.
2. Contact your Kia dealer, or Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542, and reference recall SC179.
3. Have the free software update installed.

Affected vehicles (1)

2019 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.

Official notice

Component: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Optima vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L Turbo-GDI or Theta II 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines. A software error in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system may cause the braking assist function to not engage when a stationary vehicle is detected.
Safety risk: Improper intervention of the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the FCA software, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC179.

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