Campaign 21V-844

Connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage

Defect summary

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.

Consequence

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file, campaign 21V844000. Text as published by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered

2 product lines are covered

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA about engine and cooling on these vehicles: 35, of which 0 involved a crash, fire, injury or death. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered by campaign 21V-844
Make	Model	Model years	Complaints on this component
Kia	Optima Hybrid	2017 to 2018	20
Kia	Optima PHEV	2017 to 2018	15

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls and complaints files. Equipment, tire and child-seat campaigns list products, not vehicles.

Investigation

This recall followed an NHTSA defect investigation

PE19004 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Opened Mar 29, 2019, closed Dec 22, 2021

Before the recall

No service bulletins on this component preceded the recall

Distinct manufacturer communications on the same component group, make, model and model year in the 24 months before the report date.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications file.

Service bulletins

25V-548 Aug 25, 2025
Connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power
25V-099 Feb 17, 2025
Piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage
24V-169 Mar 1, 2024
Left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly may deteriorate and leak oil
24V-077 Feb 7, 2024
Engine valve springs may break while driving, which can result in a loss of drive power and possibly create a hole in the engine block
23V-877 Dec 21, 2023
Engine compartment fire can occur while driving
22V-202 Mar 29, 2022
Oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment