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Service bulletins for the 2015 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.

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

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Only bulletins with component: Engine are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
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.
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?).
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.
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.
PS4692017-08-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. PITSTOP: MANUAL EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS TEST FOR HARD TO FIND/SMALL LEAKS - If the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated with DTC(s) P0442, P0455, P0456, or P0457 (Evaporative Emissions System-Leak detected) and the evaporative (EVAP) leak self-test resulted in NTF, a manual EVAP test is recommended.
TSB-ENG160R12017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. TSB: ECU UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC(s) P0420/P0171 - This bulletin provides information related to the ECU software upgrade for some 2012~2015MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2011 to October 2, 2015, some 2012~2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 19, 2011 to December 11, 2014, some 2011~2015MY Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2010 to July 23, 2015, and some 2014~2016MY Sportage (SL) vehicles, produced from September 30, 2013 to November 16, 2015, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) system-related DTC(s): P0420 and possibly P0171. This concern occurs most commonly during prolonged engine braking while descending a steep grade.
TSB-ENG143R12017-08-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV). TSB: SERVICE ACTION: ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND BOLT REPLACEMENT (SA170) - This bulletin provides the information to replace the crankshaft pulley and crankshaft bolt on some 2015MY Optima (QF) and 2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from June 30, 2014 through July 14, 2014 and equipped with 2.4L Theta engines.
PS3282017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; ENGINE. PITSTOP: HESITATION IN ELECTRIC AND GAS MODES - When diagnosing an Optima Hybrid with an off idle hesitation concern that can be duplicated, and no DTC(s) codes (active or history) are stored, access MCU > Current Data to check the status of the MCU warning flag.
TSB-SC135R12017-08-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. TSB: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: EVAPORATIVE CANISTER INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT (SC135) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and/or replace the evaporative canister assembly on some Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from September 2, 2010 through November 29, 2014, some Optima Hybrid (TF HEV) vehicles, produced from February 15, 2011 through November 29, 2014, some Rondo (UN) vehicles, produced from April 1, 2009 through July 30, 2010, and some Sedona (VQ) vehicles, produced from April 1, 2009 through June 17, 2014. The subject vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of twenty-eight (28) salt belt states may experience a leak detection warning of the evaporative emission systems, along with DTC(s) P0442 or P0455. For vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one of the twenty-eight (28) salt belt states, (AK, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI, WV, KS, KY, NE, ND, SD and UT), the evaporative canister will be inspected, and if no leak is found, the mounting bracket will be replaced with a new improved part. If a crack in the evaporative canister is found, the canister will be replaced with a new improved part. Before conducting the procedure, verify the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs. For vehicles in other states, Kia is extending the warranty on the evaporative canister from 5 years/60,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles, whichever occurs first starting from the date of first service. Follow the procedures outlined in this bulletin to resolve the concern.
TSB-ENG1602017-08-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. TSB: ECU UPGRADE ? MIL ON WITH DTC(s) P0420/P0171 - This bulletin provides information related to the ECU software upgrade for some 2012~2015MY Optima (QF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2011 to October 2, 2015, some 2012~2015MY Sorento (XMa) vehicles, produced from April 19, 2011 to December 11, 2014, some 2011~2015MY Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from August 12, 2010 to July 23, 2015, and some 2014~2016MY Sportage (SL) vehicles, produced from September 30, 2013 to November 16, 2015, which may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated with the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) system-related DTC(s): P0420 and possibly P0171. This concern occurs most commonly during prolonged engine braking while descending a steep grade.
PS3272017-08-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. PITSTOP: RESETTING CYLINDER BALANCE ADAPTATION VALUES - When addressing a cylinder balance concern on a vehicle equipped with a 2.4L GDI engine, it is important to note that the DTC may recur after replacement of any faulty component(s) and resetting adaptive values. See this Article for information on resetting cylinder balance adaptation values.
PS3222017-08-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. PIT STOP: DTC P0456 AND CHARCOAL CANISTER LEAKS - When addressing a concern related to a DTC P0456 (Evaporative Emissions System ? Small Leak Detected), and an inspection of the vapor lines, connections and fuel cap reveal no abnormalities, closely inspect the mounting holes of the charcoal canister for visible cracks.
PS3922017-02-17. Service bulletin. ENGINE. PITSTOP: INTERMITTENT ‘NO START’ IN COLD TEMPERATURES WITH “CHECK BSD SYSTEM” MESSAGE ON CLUSTER - ON SOME OPTIMA (QF) VEHICLES, A CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT ‘NO START’ CONCERN, ON COLD START-UP AND IN COOLER TEMPERATURES. THIS CONCERN MAY ALSO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A COMPLAINT OF THE “CHECK BSD SYSTEM” MESSAGE (A) APPEARING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BLIND SPOT DETECTION (BSD) SYSTEM) ALONG WITH A LACK OF PARK (P) INDICATION IN THE CLUSTER (B). THIS CONCERN MAY BE RELATED TO AN INTERNAL CONNECTION/CONTACT CONCERN IN THE INHIBITOR SWITCH (C) AND WILL BE DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE IN A WARM SHOP ENVIRONMENT.
SC135QA2017-02-08. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. Q AND A (SC135/WTY009) - EVAPORATIVE CANISTER VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM
SC135OWNER2017-02-08. Service bulletin. ENGINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (SC135) - DEAR KIA OWNER, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER IN YOUR VEHICLE.
SC135DEALERPSM2017-02-08. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC135) - ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM TO INSPECT THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER. KIA HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FOLLOWING KIA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES WHERE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, MAY EXHIBIT AN EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAK DUE TO PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT
SC135DEALERP2017-02-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC135) - ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PRINCIPALS, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM TO INSPECT THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER. KIA HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FOLLOWING KIA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN STATES WHERE HEAVY AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, MAY EXHIBIT AN EVAPORATIVE CANISTER LEAK DUE TO PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT
TSBSC1352017-02-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. TSB: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: EVAPORATIVE CANISTER INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT (SC135) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION TO INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER ASSEMBLY ON SOME OPTIMA (TF) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2014, SOME OPTIMA HYBRID (TF HEV) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2011 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2014, SOME RONDO (UN) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM APRIL 1, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010, AND SOME SEDONA (VQ) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM APRIL 1, 2009 THROUGH JUNE 17, 2014. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ONE OF TWENTY-EIGHT (28) SALT BELT STATES MAY EXPERIENCE A LEAK DETECTION WARNING OF THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEMS, ALONG WITH DTC(S) P0442 OR P0455. FOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ONE OF THE TWENTY-EIGHT (28) SALT BELT STATES, (AK, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI, WV, KS, KY, NE, ND, SD AND UT), THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER WILL BE INSPECTED, AND IF NO LEAK IS FOUND, THE MOUNTING BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART. IF A CRACK IN THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER IS FOUND, THE CANISTER WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART. BEFORE CONDUCTING THE PROCEDURE, VERIFY THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF AFFECTED VINS. FOR VEHICLES IN OTHER STATES, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER FROM 5 YEARS/60,000 MILES TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE. FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN TO RESOLVE THE CONCERN.
PS4002017-01-31. Service bulletin. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL; ENGINE. PITSTOP: SMART PEDAL FEATURE - THE “SMART PEDAL” IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) FUNCTIONALITY WHICH MONITORS AND PREVENTS THE SIMULTANEOUS ACTIVATION OF ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. WHEN ENGAGED, THE FEATURE REDUCES ENGINE POWER TO IDLE. MOST CUSTOMERS WILL NEVER NOTICE THE SMART PEDAL FEATURE WHEN ACTIVE, HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS WHO TEND TO REST THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING MIGHT DESCRIBE A HESITATION OR DELAY SYMPTOM AND NOT REALIZE THAT THE EMS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IS INTERVENING, AS DESIGNED.

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