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Manufacturer communication · Service bulletin

Kia bulletin SC279_QA

Kia filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Dec 20, 2023, received Jan 6, 2024, about the electrical system — 3 documents under this number: SC279_OWNR, SC279_TSB. It names 4 model years (2018–2021). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.

What the bulletin says

Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communication

VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA 2.0L T-GDI ECM SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC279) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the software logic of the engine control module (ECM) with an improved version on 2018-2021MY Stinger (CK) vehicles equipped with a Theta 2.0L T-GDI ULEV engine manufactured from September 29, 2017 through January 20, 2021. The subject vehicles may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions, which may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards (such as NMOG (Non-Methane Organic Gas) and CO (Carbon Monoxide) during IUVP (In-Use Verification Program). To ensure compliance with emissions regulations, apply the improved logic to the ‘ENGINE’ system using the KDS ECU Upgrade function as described in this bulletin.

Kind Service bulletin Manufacturer date Dec 20, 2023 Received by NHTSA Jan 6, 2024 Components Electrical System, Engine And Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Gasoline, Equipment First dated Dec 18, 2023

Documents filed under this number

DocumentKindDatedNHTSA idAt NHTSA
SC279_OWNRService bulletinDec 20, 202310248085not yet checked
SC279_TSBService bulletinDec 20, 202310248077not yet checked
SC279_QAService bulletinDec 18, 202310247636not yet checked

The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.

Model years it names

Source: as the manufacturer filed them

A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5

Is Kia SC279_QA a recall?

No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.

Is the SC279_QA repair free?

Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.

Which vehicles does SC279_QA cover?

The manufacturer filed it against 4 model years: 2021 Kia Stinger, 2020 Kia Stinger, 2019 Kia Stinger, 2018 Kia Stinger. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.