# NHTSA recall 21V844000 A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups. - Published by: NHTSA \(United States\) - Campaign number: 21V844000 - Manufacturer's number: SC218 - Manufacturer: Kia Motors America - Reported: 2021\-10\-29 - Owners notified: 2021\-11\-29 - Component: ENGINE - Units potentially affected: 10731 - Part numbers: \[ 189N1\-2EH00 \] ## What is wrong Kia Motors America \(Kia\) is recalling certain 2017\-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug\-In Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage. ## What can happen A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. ## The remedy Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a Knock Sensor Detection System \(KSDS\). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1\-800\-333\-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC218. ## Notes Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1\-888\-327\-4236 \(TTY 1\-800\-424\-9153\), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. ## Remedy progress the manufacturer reported - Report: Annual report 3, for 2025 quarter 4 to 2026 quarter 3 - Filed with NHTSA: 2026\-10\-14 - Vehicles in the campaign: 10731 - Reported remedied: 8800 \(82%\) - Reported unreachable: 903 - Reported removed: 833 These are the manufacturer's totals for the whole campaign at the end of 2026 quarter 3, as filed with NHTSA. They do not say whether one vehicle has been remedied: check the VIN with the official lookups. The reports are from data as of 2026\-10\-19. ## Vehicles this campaign lists - [2017 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID](/makes/kia/optima/2017/recalls.md). Listed as a series or trim of this model. - [2018 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID](/makes/kia/optima/2018/recalls.md). Listed as a series or trim of this model. - [2017 KIA OPTIMA PHEV](/makes/kia/optima/2017/recalls.md). Listed as a series or trim of this model. - [2018 KIA OPTIMA PHEV](/makes/kia/optima/2018/recalls.md). Listed as a series or trim of this model. ## Investigated as PE19004 This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected. - PE19004: Preliminary evaluation, opened 2019\-03\-29, closed 2021\-12\-22. Non\-crash Vehicle Fires. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE \(PCV\); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE \(EGR VALVE\); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:UNIT; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/21V844000/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/21V844000/investigations) ## Bulletins for the same vehicles and component A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall. - [SC340\_TSB\_R5](/bulletins/11031854.md), 2026-05-01, Emissions - [SC340\_OWNR\_JF\&JFA\_104](/bulletins/11030390.md), 2026-04-01, Emissions - [SC340\_TSB\_R4](/bulletins/11029979.md), 2026-03-13, Emissions - [SC340\_OWNR\_JF103](/bulletins/11026899.md), 2026-01-03, Emissions - [SC340\_TSB\_R3](/bulletins/11026533.md), 2025-12-10, Service bulletin - [SC340\_OWNR\_JF102](/bulletins/11025898.md), 2025-12-02, Emissions - [SC340\_OWNR\_JF101](/bulletins/11025897.md), 2025-12-02, Emissions - [SC340\_TSB\_R2](/bulletins/11025892.md), 2025-12-02, Service bulletin - [SC340\_TSB](/bulletins/11025889.md), 2025-12-02, Service bulletin - [SC340\_TSB\_R1](/bulletins/11025859.md), 2025-12-01, Service bulletin ## Check a VIN - [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) - [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng) JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/21V844000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/21V844000) [Report an error on this page](https://github.com/wenmar-pro/wenmar-open/issues/new?template=data_correction.yml&title=Data%20correction%3A%20NHTSA%20recall%2021V844000&page=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.wenmarpro.com%2Frecalls%2Fnhtsa%2F21V844000&vehicle=NHTSA%20recall%2021V844000)