# Service bulletin PS481

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

- Type: Service bulletin
- NHTSA id: 10109854
- Published by NHTSA: 2017\-08\-02
- Manufacturer's number: PS481
- Manufacturer's date: 2017\-03\-20
- NHTSA component: ENGINE; POWER TRAIN

## NHTSA's summary

PS481: DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION \(DCT\) CHARACTERISTICS \- All models with a 1.6L Turbo engine may come equipped with a 7\-speed Dual Clutch Transmission \(DCT\), except the 2017MY\~ Niro \(DE\) with a 1.6L Atkinson engine comes equipped with a 6\-speed Dual Clutch Transmission \(DCT\). This automatic transmission is unlike the conventional automatic transmission found in the complete line up of Kia vehicles. The new DCT improves fuel efficiency and can also provide a sportier feel. Certain aspects of this technology may lead to customer concerns if they are unfamiliar with it. To help maximize owner satisfaction on this new technology, Kia would like all dealership sales and service personnel to be familiar with the characteristics of this new transmission.

## The document

- [NHTSA's copy of the document (PDF)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10109854-9999.pdf)
- [If that address does not open, try this one](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10109854-0001.pdf)

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it.

## Components

Engine, Transmission and driveline

## Vehicles listed

- 2017 KIA FORTE
- 2016 to 2017 KIA OPTIMA
- 2017 KIA SOUL

## Recalls for the same vehicles and component

- [2023582](/recalls/tc/2023582.md), 2023-10-27: Powertrain
- [23V724000](/recalls/nhtsa/23V724000.md), 2023-10-26: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION \(PRNDL\); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- [2021733](/recalls/tc/2021733.md), 2021-12-07: Engine
- [2021666](/recalls/tc/2021666.md), 2021-11-01: Engine
- [21V844000](/recalls/nhtsa/21V844000.md), 2021-10-29: ENGINE
- [2021424](/recalls/tc/2021424.md), 2021-07-09: Engine
- [21V260000](/recalls/nhtsa/21V260000.md), 2021-04-13: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PUMP
- [2021039](/recalls/tc/2021039.md), 2021-02-01: Engine
- [2019143](/recalls/tc/2019143.md), 2019-03-18: Engine
- [18V907000](/recalls/nhtsa/18V907000.md), 2018-12-19: ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

## Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component

- [SC340\_TSB\_R5](/bulletins/11031854.md), 2026-05-01, Emissions: ENGINE. VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS: ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT \(SC340 REVISION 5\) \- This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic Control Module ‘ECM’ system software for certain 2016\-2020MY Optima, 2016\-2020MY Sorento, 2017\-2022MY Sportage vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines listed in the table below. Kia has become aware that certain 2016\-2022MY vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions. These calibrations may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards. These standards were established to protect your health and welfare from the dangers of air pollution.
- [PI2107\_OWNR\_501](/bulletins/11031846.md), 2026-05-01, Other: ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION \(PI2107 Flight 501\) \- This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017\-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 2.0\-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit \(“ECU”\).
- [SC340\_OWNR\_JF\&JFA\_104](/bulletins/11030390.md), 2026-04-01, Emissions: ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION \(SC340 FLIGHT 104 \) \- This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module \(ECM\) for certain 2016\-2020 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas Direct Injection \(GDI\) engines to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
- [PI2106\_OWNR\_501](/bulletins/11030378.md), 2026-04-01, Other: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION \(PI2106 FLIGHT 501\) \- This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017\-2018 MY Kia Forte vehicles equipped with 2.0\-liter Nu GDI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit \(“ECU”\).
- [PI2104\_OWNR\_501](/bulletins/11030342.md), 2026-03-31, Other: ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION \(PI2104 FLIGHT 501\) \- This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2014\-2016 MY Optima Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.4\-liter MPI engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly developed computer software for the Engine Control Unit \(“ECU”\).
- [SC340\_TSB\_R4](/bulletins/11029979.md), 2026-03-13, Emissions: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSION SECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT \(SC340 REV 4\) \- This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic Control Module ‘ECM’ system software for certain 2016\-2022MY vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines listed in the table below. Kia has become aware that certain 2016\-2022MY vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions. These calibrations may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards. These standards were established to protect your health and welfare from the dangers of air pollution.
- [SC340\_OWNR\_JF103](/bulletins/11026899.md), 2026-01-03, Emissions: ENGINE. VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION \(SC340 FLIGHT 103 / JF\) \- This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module \(ECM\) for certain 2016\-2020 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas Direct Injection \(GDI\) engines to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
- [SC340\_OWNR\_JF102](/bulletins/11025898.md), 2025-12-02, Emissions: ENGINE. VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION \(SC340 FLIGHT 102 / JF\) \- This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module \(ECM\) for certain 2016\-2020 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas Direct Injection \(GDI\) engines to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
- [SC340\_OWNR\_JF101](/bulletins/11025897.md), 2025-12-02, Emissions: ENGINE. VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION \(SC340 FLIGHT 101 / JF\) \- This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module \(ECM\) for certain 2016\-2020 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gas Direct Injection \(GDI\) engines to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
- [SC340\_TSB\_R2](/bulletins/11025892.md), 2025-12-02, Service bulletin: ENGINE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA II 2.4L GDI EMISSIONS ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT \(SC340\) \- This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Electronic Control Module ‘ECM’ system software for certain 2016\-2022MY vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines listed in the table below. Kia has become aware that certain 2016\-2022MY vehicles equipped with 2.4L Theta II engines may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions. These calibrations may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards. These standards were established to protect your health and welfare from the dangers of air pollution.

JSON: [/v1/bulletins/10109854](/v1/bulletins/10109854)

[Report an error on this page](https://github.com/wenmar-pro/wenmar-open/issues/new?template=data_correction.yml&title=Data%20correction%3A%20Service%20bulletin%20PS481&page=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.wenmarpro.com%2Fbulletins%2F10109854&vehicle=Service%20bulletin%20PS481)