February 21, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V100000
Low Pressure Fuel Hose May Crack and Leak
If the fuel hose cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V100
Manufacturer Kia Motors America
Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Potential Number of Units Affected 141,774
Summary
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) or 2.0L GDI Turbo engines. The low pressure fuel hose may deteriorate and crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
Remedy
Kia will notify Owners, and Dealers will inspect the low pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, a heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk on April 13, 2020. A second letter will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC187.
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
Kia Motors America, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
111 Peters Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92606-1790 USA
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
(Interim Notice)
(NHTSA Recall Number: 20V-100)
This notice applies to your vehicle: (Insert VIN)
April 13, 2020
Kia has identified a defect in your vehicle which relates to motor vehicle safety
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Kia Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2013-2014 MY Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and 2.0-liter GDI Turbo engines. The defect can result in a fire in your vehicle’s engine compartment, thus increasing the risk of injury. Our records indicate that you own or lease one of the potentially affected vehicles.
This is only an interim letter as we evaluate a remedy. The purpose of this letter is to keep you informed of Kia’s recall implementation plan. We will send you another letter when the remedy is available, and the repair will be performed at no cost to you. HOWEVER, PLEASE SEE THE “WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IN THE INTERIM” SECTION BELOW.
What Is The Problem?
The material of the low pressure fuel tube may deteriorate over time and develop a crack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment under certain circumstances. If the fuel tube develops a crack, a fuel smell and eventually a fuel leak can occur. Leaking fuel increases the risk of fire, thereby increasing the risk of injury.
What Should You Do In The Interim?
- If fuel smell is detected, please contact the closest authorized Kia dealership to have your vehicle towed to the dealer.
- To find your nearest dealer, visit kia.com and click the “Find Dealer” button in the upper right corner (“Dealers” on a mobile device). You can also use the QR code below with your mobile device to access this information (see the bottom of this letter for more information about QR code use):
What If You Have Already Paid To Have This Situation Corrected?
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 copy of the attached Request for Reimbursement form directly to Kia for review and consideration:
Consumer Assistance Center
Kia Motors America, Inc.
P.O. Box 52410
Irvine, CA 92619-2410
1-800-333-4542
Pursuant to the General Reimbursement Plan issued by Kia pursuant to Federal Regulation 49 CFR 573.13, Kia will use its best efforts to respond to your claim within sixty (60) days of receipt and at that time Kia may either accept or reject that claim or it may request more information to evaluate the claim.
Have You Changed Your Address Or Sold Your Kia?
If you have changed your home address, sold your Kia vehicle, or no longer own your vehicle, please complete the attached prepaid “Change of Address/Ownership” card and mail it to us. You can also contact the Consumer Assistance Center phone number listed above.
What If You Are A Vehicle Lessor?
Federal regulation requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
What If You Have Other Questions?
If your dealer does not respond to your service request in a timely manner, we suggest that you call Kia’s Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4542. This number has TTY capability. If you still are not satisfied that we have remedied this situation without charge and within a reasonable amount of time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
This action has been taken in the interest of your safety, and we regret any inconvenience this situation may cause you.
Sincerely,
Consumer Affairs Department
QR Code Use:
|
SC187
SC187 – 2013-2014 MY KIA OPTIMA LOW PRESSURE FUEL TUBE
SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN Q & A
April 8, 2020
| Q1. | What type of campaign is Kia conducting? |
| A1. | Kia is conducting a safety recall campaign on certain 2013-2014 my Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.4liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and 2.0-liter GDI Turbo engines.
|
| Q2. | What vehicles are affected by the recall? |
| A2. | Certain 2013-2014 my Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and 2.0-liter GDI Turbo engines, manufactured at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) from November 15, 2012 through December 18, 2013.
|
| Q3. | How many customer vehicles are affected by this recall? |
| A3. | Approximately 141,774 vehicles are affected by this recall.
|
| Q4. | What is the condition? |
| A4. | The material of the low pressure fuel tube may deteriorate over time and develop a rack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment under certain conditions. If the fuel tube develops a crack, a fuel smell and eventually a fuel leak can occur. Leaking fuel increases the risk of fire, thereby increasing the risk of injury.
|
| Q5. | Can you describe the recall campaign and fix? |
| A5. | Kia is currently evaluating a remedy for this recall.
|
| Q6. | How will owners of the affected vehicles be notified? |
| A6. | Kia will send an interim letter notifying owners of the affected vehicles by first-class mail beginning on April 13, 2020. The purpose of the letter is to keep owners informed of Kia’s recall implementation plan. Kia will send a follow-up notification letter when the remedy becomes available. |
| Q7. | What should vehicle owners do when they receive the notification? |
| A7. | If fuel smell is detected, owners are to contact their closest authorized Kia dealership to have their vehicle towed to the dealer.
Upon receipt of the follow-up notification letter, owners are to contact their Kia dealer to arrange for the repair to be performed.
|
| Q8. | How was the issue discovered? |
| A8. | Through the regular monitoring of field information.
|
| Q9. | Have there been any deaths, injuries or accidents as a result of this condition? |
| A9. | No.
|
| Q10. | Will this cost vehicle owners any money? |
| A10. | No. The remedy repair will be performed at no cost to the owners.
|
| Q11. | What about customers who may have already paid to have the low pressure fuel tube replaced? |
| A11. | 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 (Contact Kia) of www.kia.com OR mail your documentation with the completed Request for Reimbursement Form included with this letter directly to Kia for review and consideration at the following address:
Consumer Assistance Center
|
| Q12. | How long will the repair take? |
| A12. | Kia is currently evaluating a remedy for this recall.
|
| Q13. | Are there any restrictions on an owner’s eligibility? |
| A13. | No.
|
| Q15. | If a customer has an immediate question, where can they get further information? |
| A15. | The customer can contact their local Kia dealership or call Kia’s Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4KIA (4542), Monday through Friday, 5 AM to 6 PM Pacific Standard Time, or via the internet @ www.kia.com (Owner’s Section).
|
SC187
2013-2014MY Kia Optima Low Pressure Fuel Tube Chronology Basis of Safety Defect Determination 573.6(c)(6)
| November 19, 2019 | During visit by Kia Motors America, Inc. (KMA) engineer to Kia dealer as part of normal field monitoring, KMA learns from dealer technician about an issue related to fuel leaking from a cracked low pressure fuel tube in a Kia Optima vehicle. |
| November 20, 2019 – Mid December 2019 | KMA reviews field data and identifies other instances of fuel leaking from the low pressure fuel tube. KMA begins to collect parts in the field to evaluate cause of potential fuel leaking issue. KMA collects and delivers five (5) low pressure fuel tubes to Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) for its evaluation and analysis. |
| January 2020 - February 3, 2020 | KMC receives parts and conducts investigation into potential cause of cracking condition but is unable to identify cause. |
| February 4, 2020 – February 13, 2010 | KMA collects and ships seven (7) additional fuel tubes to KMC for its investigation and analysis. |
| February 18, 2020 | KMC makes decision to conduct recall due to potential risk of fire, although exact cause is not known. Eight (8) customer complaints of fuel leaking potentially related to cracked low pressure tube. No known fires, accidents or injuries due to fuel leaking from cracked low pressure fuel tube. |
INTERIM NOTICE
April 8, 2020
Attention: All Kia Parts & Service Managers
This is an INTERIM notice as Kia is currently working on the remedy. The purpose of this communication is to keep you informed of Kia’s recall implementation plan. We will send you another notice as soon as the remedy becomes available.
Kia Motors America, Inc., pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, is conducting a Safety Recall Campaign on certain 2013-2014 MY Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and 2.0-liter GDI Turbo engines manufactured at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). The material of the low-pressure fuel tube may deteriorate over time and develop a crack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment under certain circumstances. If the fuel tube develops a crack, a fuel smell and eventually a fuel leak can occur. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provides Vehicle Repair Procedures, Affected VIN Production Range, and Warranty Claim Information will be posted on the Kia Global Information System (KGIS) at www.kiatechinfo.com once the remedy is available.
Enclosed you will find a copy of the interim owner notification letter and a Q&A Guide for recall questions, both of which describe the issue. Note that any vehicle owners who have already paid for repairs due to this condition can submit a request for reimbursement online via the Owner’s Section of www.kia.com.
Kia will mail interim notices to the affected vehicle owners beginning on April 13, 2020. A follow-up notice will be mailed once the remedy becomes available.
Also, please make certain the appropriate personnel in your dealership are familiar with the details of this recall to ensure proper responses to customer inquiries and requests to have the recall performed on their vehicles. This Safety Recall represents an opportunity for your service department to deliver an exceptional service experience (e.g. flexible service appointment process, car wash and vacuum and timely service).
NHTSA ADVISORY: It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied.
LEGAL PRIVACY LIABILITY NOTICE: Pursuant to the terms of the Dealer Sales and Service Agreement and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley federal consumer privacy act, you are required to keep confidential any and all information and documents provided to you by Kia Motors America, Inc. or generated by you in the conduct of carrying out work under that Agreement regarding Kia vehicle purchasers and owners, including but not limited to warranty claim information. Kia dealers may use such owner information for the sole purpose of conducting and performing this safety recall campaign, and for no other purpose.
If you have any questions, please contact your Kia District Parts and Service Manager.
Sincerely,
Kia Service Department
SC187
INTERIM NOTICE
April 8, 2020
Attention: All Dealer Principals
This is an interim notice as Kia is currently evaluating a remedy. The purpose of this communication is to keep you informed of Kia’s recall implementation plan. We will send you another notice when the remedy becomes available.
Kia Motors America, Inc., pursuant to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, is conducting a Safety Recall Campaign on certain 2013-2014 MY Kia Optima vehicles equipped with the 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and 2.0-liter GDI Turbo engines manufactured at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). The material of the low pressure fuel tube may deteriorate over time and develop a crack from exposure to heat generated within the engine compartment under certain circumstances. If the fuel tube develops a crack, a fuel smell and eventually a fuel leak can occur. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Your Service Manager was sent a copy of the owner notification letter and a Q&A guide for recall questions both of which describe the issue and information on how to access the list of affected vehicles.
Kia will mail interim notices to the affected vehicle owners beginning on April 13, 2020. A follow-up notice will be mailed once the remedy becomes available.
NHTSA ADVISORY: It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect is remedied.
What Should You Do
Please make certain the appropriate personnel in your dealership are familiar with the details of this recall campaign to ensure proper responses to customer inquiries and requests to have the campaign performed on their vehicles.
LEGAL PRIVACY LIABILITY NOTICE: Pursuant to the terms of the Dealer Sales and Service Agreement and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley federal consumer privacy act, you are required to keep confidential any and all information and documents provided to you by Kia Motors America, Inc. or generated by you in the conduct of carrying out work under that Agreement regarding Kia vehicle purchasers and owners, including but not limited to warranty claim information. Kia dealers may use such owner information for the sole purpose of conducting and performing this safety recall campaign, and for no other purpose.
If you have any questions, please contact your Kia District Parts & Service Manager.
Sincerely,
Kia Service Department
Enclosures
SC187
2 Affected Products
Vehicle
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| KIA | OPTIMA | 2013-2014 |
9 Associated Documents
Miscellaneous Document - REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM – SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN SC187 – 2013-2014 MY OPTIMA LOW PRESSURE FUEL TUBE
RMISC-20V100-9931.pdf 54.908KB
Recall Acknowledgement
Chronology
RMISC-20V100-2064.pdf 80.746KB
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-20V100-9561.PDF 212.821KB
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)- April 8, 2020 Attention: All Dealer Principals
Miscellaneous Document - SC187 – 2013-2014 MY KIA OPTIMA LOW PRESSURE FUEL TUBE SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN Q & A April 8, 2020
RMISC-20V100-4305.pdf 78.864KB
ISSUED Interim Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)
RIONL-20V100-5868.pdf 397.171KB
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)- April 8, 2020 Attention: All Kia Parts & Service Managers
Recall 573 Report - Amendment 1
RCLRPT-20V100-9103.PDF 213.956KB
Latest Recalls Documents
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V100&docType=RCL
- Use in gas, ethanol/flex fuel, diesel & biodiesel engines
- Restores fuel economy and improves engine performance
- PEA (polyetheramine) effectively removes carbon deposits from the entire fuel & oil systems
- Stabilizes fuel and oil for up to 2 years
- Helps pass emissions testing, Lubricates upper cylinders, and Fights ethanol related rust & corrosion
- Cleans injectors, carb jets and passageways
- Cleans and lubricates intake valves, pistons and cylinders
- Dissolves and cleans fuel residue in fuel systems
- Dissolves oil deposits in crankcase
- Clean timing chain tensioners and VVT actuators, quiet noisy lifters
- Unique product cleaning the combusƟ on chamber and piston rings of a deposit. Eliminate the cause of accelerated wear of the engine. Packaging for standard motors up to 2 litres.
Last update on 2020-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2020-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
