Manufacturer recall number

KIA recall SC197

Q: Is SC197 the same recall as 20V519000?

Yes. SC197 is KIA’s own number for it; 20V519000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

KIA calls it SC197. NHTSA filed it as campaign 20V519000 on Aug 27, 2020: service brakes, hydraulic on the 2013–2015 KIA Optima and 1 other KIA model, 440,370 vehicles potentially affected, under a park-outside advisory. One recall, two numbers — the dealer quotes the manufacturer’s, the federal record carries NHTSA’s.

The full filing, 20V519000 →Check a VIN at NHTSA KIA’s own VIN lookup →

What NHTSA has under this number

Source: 49 CFR Part 573 filings

NHTSA campaign	Vehicles	Component	Filed	Affected	Severity
20V519000	2013–2015 KIA Optima and 1 other KIA model	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Aug 27, 2020	440,370	Park outside

Problem Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short. 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 HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

The manufacturer’s own words as filed for 20V519000. Every model year it covers, the build window and the filed PDFs →

Two numbers, one recall

Every safety recall carries two identifiers. SC197 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. 20V519000 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.

NHTSA VIN recall lookup →KIA’s own VIN lookup →

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Is SC197 the same recall as 20V519000?

Yes. SC197 is KIA’s own number for it; 20V519000 is NHTSA’s. One recall, two references.

Which vehicles does SC197 cover?

2013–2015 KIA Optima and 1 other KIA model, 440,370 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 SC197 repair cost anything?

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