Kia America, Inc.: Safety Recalls in 2021

Updated on March 19, 2026.

There were 15 safety recalls made by Kia America, Inc. in 2021. See the details of the recalls below.

You can also see similar information for other manufacturers.

Data Source: NHTSA.
See this for other years:
December 1, 2021
(Campaign #: SC223)

Reduced Braking Performance

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
NHTSA ID: 21V936000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
# of Units Affected: 87
Consequence Summary:
Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 66.27
November 19, 2021
(Campaign #: SC221)

Passenger-Side Sliding Door May Not Latch

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The remote controller assembly for the passenger-side power sliding door may malfunction, preventing the passenger-side sliding door from securely latching.
NHTSA ID: 21V908000
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
# of Units Affected: 2,956
Consequence Summary:
A power sliding door that fails to latch may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the passenger-side power sliding door release actuator's drum and holder inside the remote controller assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC221.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 89.11
November 5, 2021
(Campaign #: SC219)

Inaccurate Fuel Gauge Reading

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
NHTSA ID: 21V862000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
# of Units Affected: 53
Consequence Summary:
An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC219.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 94.34
October 29, 2021
(Campaign #: SC218)

Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire

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.
NHTSA ID: 21V844000
Component:
# of Units Affected: 10,731
Consequence Summary:
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
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.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 87.54
September 17, 2021
(Campaign #: SC217)

Turn Signal May Activate in Wrong Direction

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
NHTSA ID: 21V725000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
# of Units Affected: 88,576
Consequence Summary:
A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 64.68
August 9, 2021
(Campaign #: SC216)

Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
NHTSA ID: 21V622000
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
# of Units Affected: 253,074
Consequence Summary:
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 53.68
July 28, 2021
(Campaign #: SC215)

Blank LCD Display/FMVSS 101

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Telluride vehicles. The LCD display screen may remain blank after startup. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
NHTSA ID: 21V577000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
# of Units Affected: 5,143
Consequence Summary:
A blank LCD display may be missing information, such as the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator, and odometer, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will update the instrument cluster's software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 3, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC215.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 97.58
July 8, 2021
(Campaign #: SC214)

Fuel Leak at Pipe Connection

Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
NHTSA ID: 21V519000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
# of Units Affected: 21,575
Consequence Summary:
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 98.03
June 14, 2021
(Campaign #: SC213)

Steering Assist Level May Not Adjust Properly

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
NHTSA ID: 21V447000
Component: LANE DEPARTURE
# of Units Affected: 846
Consequence Summary:
A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 93.84
May 10, 2021
(Campaign #: SC212)

Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit May Short

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
NHTSA ID: 21V331000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
# of Units Affected: 440,370
Consequence Summary:
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Corrective Action:
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Park Outside Advisory: Yes
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 68.57
April 21, 2021
(Campaign #: SC211)

Fuel Rail Tube May Leak

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The plastic fuel rail tube may have been damaged.
NHTSA ID: 21V277000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
# of Units Affected: 2,744
Consequence Summary:
A damaged fuel rail tube may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the multi-port injection fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC211.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 96.24
April 13, 2021
(Campaign #: SC210)

Foreign Particles May Cause Oil Pump to Fail

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
NHTSA ID: 21V260000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
# of Units Affected: 4,069
Consequence Summary:
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pan, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC210.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 66.93
April 13, 2021
(Campaign #: SC209)

Improperly Heat-Treated Piston Oil Rings

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
NHTSA ID: 21V259000
Component:
# of Units Affected: 147,249
Consequence Summary:
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 89.3
March 11, 2021
(Campaign #: SC207)

Occupant Detection System Malfunction/FMVSS 208

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
NHTSA ID: 21V164000
Component: AIR BAGS
# of Units Affected: 142
Consequence Summary:
In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Corrective Action:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
Park Outside Advisory: No
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 97.18
March 4, 2021
(Campaign #: SC206)

Engine Compartment Fire

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
NHTSA ID: 21V137000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
# of Units Affected: 379,931
Consequence Summary:
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Park Outside Advisory: Yes
Do not Drive Advisory: No
Completion Rate (%): 88.22