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Manufacturer recall number

KIA recall SC138

KIA calls it SC138. NHTSA filed it as campaign 16V815000 on Nov 10, 2016: electrical system on the 2008–2009 KIA Sportage, 71,704 vehicles potentially affected. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings
NHTSA campaignVehiclesComponentFiledAffectedSeverity
16V8150002008–2009 KIA SportageElectrical SystemNov 10, 201671,704critical
Problem Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009. The wire harness cover on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and the circuit board may short circuit. Risk If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire. Fix Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced. If corrosion is present, the dealer will replace the HECU assembly and the connector cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 28, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC138.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 16V815000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. SC138 is the number KIA assigned in its own system: it is what appears on the owner letter, on the dealer’s service screen and on the repair order. 16V815000 is the number NHTSA filed the same recall under when the manufacturer reported it, and it is the one every federal record, this site included, is keyed on.

The repair is free by federal law for vehicles up to fifteen years old. Whether one particular vehicle is included is settled by its VIN against the manufacturer’s build list, not by its model year.

Check one specific vehicle

Both lookups check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list and say whether the repair is still outstanding on that vehicle.

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is SC138 the same recall as 16V815000?

Yes. SC138 is KIA’s own number for it; 16V815000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does SC138 cover?

2008–2009 KIA Sportage, 71,704 vehicles by the manufacturer’s count. A recall covers a build range, so the VIN decides whether one particular vehicle is in it.

Does the SC138 repair cost anything?

No. The manufacturer must remedy a safety defect at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.