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Service bulletins for the 2014 Kia Optima

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.

353 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
VPI1802WX_TSB2018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1802) - TSB - ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802W/X) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802, Rev 2, 09/24/2018) titled ?Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement?. Specifically, this bulletin provides instructions on which procedures to follow if, after installation of the KSDS, any one of the subject vehicles below returns to the dealer with Diagnostic Trouble Code (?DTC?), P1326.
DC_201810262018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. DEALER COMMUNICATION - RECENT KIA MEDIA REPORTS, OCTOBER 26 2018 UPDATE - Dear Kia Retailer, We wrote to you in late August to provide you with an update regarding news reports regarding non-collision fires in Kia vehicles and NHTSA?s announcement of the opening of a Defect Petition for fire cases involving the 2011-14 Sorento and Optima vehicles. Since that time, we have been working cooperatively with NHTSA to analyze the safety performance of these and all Kia vehicles and added additional resources to quickly and effectively address any incidents. Recently, a non-profit consumer advocacy group called the Center for Automotive Safety (CAS) has asked for a recall of Kia vehicles for fire risk and members of the Senate Commerce Committee have asked Kia for additional information related to non-collision fires in Kia vehicles. These actions have generated additional media reports so we are providing you with additional information to assist you and your teams in addressing customer concerns.
VPI1802A1_OWNER2018-10-09. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1802A1) UPDATE - OWNER LETTER - Dear Kia Optima Owner: As we previously notified you, Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on some 2014 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (?GDI?) engines, and all 2015 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI (?T-GDI?) engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage by utilizing a Knock Sensor Detection System (?KSDS?). Our records show that the KSDS software was recently installed in your vehicle and we want to thank you for your quick action. Since then, Kia has become aware that the KSDS software version installed in your vehicle has an error and requires the installation of a new corrected software.
VPI1802A1_DSM2018-10-09. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1802A1) UPDATE - DEALER SERVICE MANAGER LETTER - As announced in July 2018, Kia Motors America, Inc. has been conducting a Product Improvement Campaign (PI1802) to perform a software update to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage by utilizing a Knock Sensor Detection System (?KSDS?) on certain Kia vehicles. Since the launch of this Product Improvement Campaign, Kia has become aware that the KSDS software version installed on 2014~2015 MY Optima vehicles before September 7, 2018 has an error and requires the installation of a new corrected software.
VPI1802_WTY2018-10-09. Service bulletin. ENGINE. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1802) - WARRANTY BULLETIN - KMA launched Product Improvement Campaign PI1802A on July 25, 2018 to perform a software update on certain vehicles with 2.4L GDI engines to alert vehicle drivers at an early stage of bearing wear to prevent severe engine damage.
VPI1802_TSB_R22018-10-09. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1802) - TSB - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1802) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
DC_201808282018-10-09. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. DEALER COMMUNICATION - RECENT KIA MEDIA REPORTS - Dear Kia Retailer, You and your customers may have seen recent media reports regarding thermal incidents in Kia vehicles or NHTSA?s announcement of the opening of a Defect Petition for fire cases involving the 2011-14 Sorentos and Optimas, and I want to update you on KMA?s response to this issue. All automobiles contain combustible materials and a vehicle fire may be a result of any number of complex factors which must be carefully evaluated by trained technicians to, if possible, determine its cause and, ultimately, determine if a defect trend exists. At Kia, customer safety is paramount and although both KMA and NHTSA have independently concluded that no defect trends exist, KMA has significantly increased its committed resources to ensure that all thermal incidents are fully evaluated.
VPI1802_TSB_R12018-09-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. TSB: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1802) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. This update is for: * Some 2014MY Optima (TF) vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI engines, manufactured at KMC from August 29, 2013 through April 25, 2014; * All 2015MY Optima (TF/QF) vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI (T-GDI) engines; * All 2014-2015MY Sportage (SL) vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI (T-GDI) engines; * All 2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI engines, manufactured from January 3, 2014 through December 11, 2014. The KSDS detects vibrations indicating the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear. It is designed to alert the driver at an early stage of bearing wear before the occurrence of severe engine damage, including engine failure. If vibrations caused by bearing wear start to occur, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will blink continuously, and the vehicle will be placed in Limp Home Mode. This will reduce further damage to the engine and ensure that the vehicle occupants are not exposed to the risk of a more severe engine failure. At that time, Diagnostic Trouble Code (?DTC?) P1326, specific to the KSDS, will be recorded in the ECU. The vehicle can continue to be operated for a limited time in Limp Home Mode, but it will accelerate slowly and have a reduced maximum speed. Also, engine RPMs will be limited to approximately 1800-2000 RPM. Kia is requesting the completion of this Product Improvement Campaign on all affected vehicles.
VPI1802_OWNER_OP2018-09-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: Dear Kia Optima Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on some 2014 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (?GDI?) engines, and all 2015 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI (?T-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?).
TSBTRA0792018-09-10. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: HCU/TCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P1744 (400 MESH EQUIPPED TRANS) (SA351) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) and the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2013-2015MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles, produced from September 27, 2012 through September 5, 2014, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illumination with DTC P1744. To correct this concern, apply the improved logic to the HCU and TCU using the KDS ECU Upgrade function as described in this bulletin.
TSBTRA068_CLOSED2018-09-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN. TSB: HCU/TCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P1744 (400 MESH EQUIPPED TRANSMISSIONS ONLY) - TSB TRA068 CLOSED. REFER TO TSB TRA079/SA351
TSBELE1512018-09-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: BMS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AFTER HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Battery Management System (BMS) on some 2011-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles, produced from February 15, 2011 through July 22, 2015, to match the new generation high voltage (HV) battery assemblies.
VPI1802_QA2018-08-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE; POWER TRAIN. Q & A - This document is the Q & A for the new Product Improvement Campaign to provide information regarding a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
VPI1802_DSM2018-08-06. Service bulletin. ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER NOTICE - This notice advised the dealer service manager of the new Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
VPI1802_DP2018-08-06. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. DEALER PRINCIPAL NOTICE - This notice advised the dealer principal of the new Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
PS464_R22018-08-06. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION. PITSTOP - NO COMMUNICATION WITH BLIND SPOT DETECTION AFTER COLLISION REPAIRS - This Pitstop provides information relating to the vehicles listed below with Blind Spot Detection (BSD), which may exhibit a ?Check BSD System? message and no communication with the BSD system after collision repairs.
TSBELE1472018-06-25. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB - BMS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P1B70 - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Battery Management System (BMS) on some 2011-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles, produced from February 15, 2011 through July 22, 2015, which may experience a malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination with DTC P1B70 even though there is no actual malfunction.
TSBTRA059_R42018-05-14. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN. TSB - HCU/TCU UPGRADE ? FOR 100MESH SOLENOID - EQUIPPED HYBRID TRANSMISSIONS - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to a software upgrade of the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) and the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) of some 2011-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) after replacement of the transmission with improved 100 mesh solenoids has taken place.
TSBTRA059_R32018-04-16. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. TSB - HCU/TCU UPGRADE ? FOR 100MESH SOLENOID EQUIPPED HYBRID TRANSMISSIONS - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to a software upgrade of the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) and the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) of some 2011-2016MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) after replacement of the transmission with improved 100 mesh solenoids has taken place. To apply the improved logic, the HCU/TCU should be reprogrammed using the KDS download, as described in this bulletin.
PS5392018-04-16. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
TSBTRA047_R22018-03-13. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT. TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft serviceability for Kia vehicles equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
TSBCHA060_R12018-03-13. Service bulletin. STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR; STEERING. TSB - ECM UPGRADE ? STEERING LOGIC IMPROVEMENT -This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to the MDPS ECU software upgrade for some 2011 ~ 2014MY Optima (TF/QF) vehicles, produced from Job #1 through July 27, 2014, which may experience a notchy feel in the steering wheel.
TSBENG1722018-01-16. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; POWER TRAIN. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: TURBO OIL FEED LINE REPLACEMENT (SA300) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the turbo oil feed line on some 2011-2015MY Optima (TF), produced from November 1, 2010 through August 30, 2011, 2012-2015MY Optima (QF), produced from August 31, 2011 through October 2, 2015, and 2011-2015MY Sportage (SL) vehicles, produced from December 30, 2010 through November 6, 2015, equipped with Theta 2.0T-GDI engine, which may exhibit an oil leak at the turbo oil feed line.
TSBELE091R32017-12-22. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB - IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - This bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations.
TSBTRA0682017-11-14. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB - HCU/TCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P1744 (400 MESH EQUIPPED TRANSMISSIONS ONLY) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) on some 2011-2012MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV), produced from February 15, 2011 through December 28, 2012, and both the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) and the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2013-2015MY Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles, produced from January 15, 2013 through March 27, 2015, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp illumination with DTC P1744. To correct this concern, apply the improved logic to the HCU only (11-12MY) or HCU and TCU (13-15MY) using the KDS ECU Upgrade function as described in this bulletin. For confirmation that the latest reflash has been applied to a vehicle you are working on, verify the ROM ID using the table on page 3 of this bulletin.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.