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Manufacturer recall number

Kia recall SC162

Kia calls it SC162. NHTSA filed it as campaign 18V161000 on Mar 8, 2018: hybrid propulsion system on the 2017–2018 Kia Optima, 1,710 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
18V1610002017–2018 Kia OptimaHybrid Propulsion SystemMar 8, 20181,710high
Problem 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. Risk 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. Fix 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.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 18V161000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. SC162 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. 18V161000 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 SC162 the same recall as 18V161000?

Yes. SC162 is Kia’s own number for it; 18V161000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does SC162 cover?

2017–2018 Kia Optima, 1,710 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 SC162 repair cost anything?

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