March 8, 2018 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V161000
Voltage Protection Device may Activate
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.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V161
Manufacturer Kia
Motors America
Components HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected 1,710
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.
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.
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.safercar.gov.
Check if your Kia has a Recall
| GROUP
Safety Recall | MODEL
2017-2018MY | |
| NUMBER
SC162 | DATE
May 2018 | |
| SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN | ||
| SUBJECT:
HIGH VOLTAGE MAIN & SUB BATTERY MANAGEMENT (BMS) & WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT (SC162) | ||
This bulletin provides the procedure to remove the currently installed Voltage Protection Device (VPD) switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMSs) that contain new Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs) and corresponding wiring harnesses in certain 2017-2018MY Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid (JF PHEV) vehicles, produced from August 25, 2016 through September 11, 2017. The vehicle’s battery VPD is designed to protect the high voltage battery module by detecting any swelling of the battery module. In certain circumstances, the VPD switch can be inadvertently activated. If the VPD switch is activated, electricity to the vehicle’s electric motor may be disconnected. If this occurs while the vehicle is driven in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode, the vehicle may experience a loss of motive power and may be accompanied by the illumination of the Hybrid System Warning Light. A loss of motive power may increase the risk of a crash. This condition does not occur in Hybrid Mode.
Before conducting the procedure, verify the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs.
DANGER
When performing this procedure, follow all EV battery safety procedures found in the
Service Materials → Service Info → EV Battery System → General Safety Information and Caution” chapter in the applicable Shop Manual, and wear all required Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
NOTICE
There is no charge to the vehicle owner for this repair. Under applicable law, you may not sell or otherwise deliver any affected vehicle until it has been repaired pursuant to the procedures set forth in this bulletin.
NOTICE
To assure complete customer satisfaction, always remember to refer to WebDCS Warranty Coverage (validation) Inquiry Screen (Service → Warranty Coverage → Warranty Coverage Inquiry) for a list of any additional campaigns that may need to be performed on the vehicle before returning it to the customer.
AFFECTED VEHICLE RANGE:
| Model | Production Date Range |
|---|---|
| Optima (JF PHEV) | August 25, 2016 through September 11, 2017 |
REQUIRED PART:
| Part Name | Part Number |
|---|---|
| MAIN BMS | 37513-A8520QQK |
| SUB BMS | 37513-E6620QQK |
| MAIN BMS Wiring | 37517-E6520QQK |
| SUB BMS Wiring | 37517 E6620QQK |
SC162 – 2017-2018 MY OPTIMA PLUG-IN HYBRID BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN
Q & A
April 26, 2018
| Q1. | What type of campaign is Kia conducting? |
| A1. | Kia is conducting a safety recall campaign to remove the current Voltage Protection Device (VPD) switch and install two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMSs) that contain new Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs) and their corresponding wiring harnesses. |
| Q2. | What vehicles are affected by the recall? |
| A2. | Certain 2017-2018 MY Optima Plug-In Hybrid vehicles manufactured from August 25, 2016 through September 11, 2017. |
| Q3. | How many customer vehicles are affected by this recall? |
| A3. | Approximately 1,710 vehicles are affected by this recall. |
| Q4. | What is the concern with the Voltage Protection Device (VPD)? |
| A4. | The vehicle’s battery Voltage Protection Device (VPD) is designed to protect the high voltage battery module by detecting any swelling of the battery module. In certain circumstances, the VPD switch can be inadvertently activated. If the VPD switch is activated, electricity to the vehicle’s electric motor may be disconnected. If this occurs while the vehicle is driven in EV Mode, the vehicle may experience a loss of motive power possibly accompanied by the illumination of the Hybrid System Warning Light , indicating that there is a malfunction with the hybrid system. |
| Q5. | Does this condition occur while the vehicle is being driven in Hybrid Mode? |
| A5. | No. |
| Q6. | Can you describe the recall campaign and fix? |
| A6. | The current VPD switch will be removed and two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMSs) that contain new Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs) and their corresponding wiring harnesses will be installed. |
| Q7. | How was the issue discovered? |
| A7. | Through the regular monitoring of field information. |
| Q8. | What should vehicle owners do when they receive the notification? |
| A8. | Owners should contact their Kia dealer to arrange for the repair to be performed. |
| Q9. | Have there been any deaths or injuries as a result of this condition? |
| A9. | No. |
| Q10. | Has Kia had any litigation regarding this condition? |
| A10. | No. |
| Q11. | Will this cost vehicle owners any money? |
| A11. | No. The replacement of the current VPD switch and installation of two newly designed Battery Management Systems (BMSs) that contain new Overvoltage Protection Devices (OPDs) and their corresponding wiring harnesses will be at Kia’s expense at no cost to you. |
| Q12. | What about customers who may have already paid to have the current VPD switch replaced? |
| A12. | If you have incurred expense to remedy this issue prior to the date of this notice, you may have the opportunity to obtain reimbursement for that expense. You may submit your receipts online to Kia via the Owners section of www.kia.com or mail your receipts with a cover letter directly to Kia for review and consideration:
Consumer Assistance Center |
| Q13. | How long will the repair take? |
| A13. | The estimated time required to complete the repair is approximately three to four hours. The actual time, however, can vary depending on the dealer’s work schedule. Therefore, scheduling an appointment is recommended. |
| Q14. | How will owners of the affected vehicles be notified? |
| A14. | Kia will be notifying owners of the affected vehicles by first-class mail on May 3, 2018. |
| Q15. | Are there any restrictions on an owner’s eligibility? |
| A15. | No. |
| Q16. | If a customer has an immediate question, where can they get further information? |
| A16. | The customer can contact their local Kia dealership or call Kia’s Consumer Assistance Center at 1800-333-4KIA (4542), Monday through Friday, 5 AM to 6 PM Pacific Standard Time, or via the internet @ www.kia.com (Owner’s Section). |
2 Affected Products
Vehicle
| KIA | OPTIMA | 2017-2018 |
12 Associated Documents
Chronology
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-18V161-4800.PDF 214.851KB
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-18V161-5428.pdf 245.867KB
Remedy Instructions and TSB – HIGH VOLTAGE MAIN & SUB BATTERY MANAGEMENT (BMS) & WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT (SC162)
RCRIT-18V161-0982.pdf 2677.617KB
ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)- April 26, 2018 – Attention: All Kia Parts & Service Managers
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)- April 26, 2018 – Attention: All Dealer Principals
Miscellaneous Document – April 26, 2018 – SC162 – 2017-2018 MY OPTIMA PLUG-IN HYBRID BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN Q & A
RMISC-18V161-7767.pdf 59.781KB
Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2018-4
RCLQRT-18V161-6731.PDF 211.333KB
Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2019-1
RCLQRT-18V161-4801.PDF 211.441KB
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2018-2
RCLQRT-18V161-0533.PDF 214.518KB
Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2018-3
RCLQRT-18V161-1270.PDF 211.242KB
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