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Kia Optima Recall 18V363: Front Airbags May Fail to Deploy in a Crash

NHTSA campaign 18V363, reported June 1, 2018, 507,587 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

The air bag control unit in these Kia vehicles may short circuit during a crash. If that happens, the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners may not deploy.

Without the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners, occupants face a higher risk of injury in any crash that calls for those safety systems to deploy.

Kia will notify owners. The repair is free at an authorized Kia dealer, where an extension wire harness kit will be installed (on 2011 Sedona models, the dealer will first verify the air bag control unit part number and install the kit if needed). You can check your VIN for open recalls and contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542, referencing recall SC165.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 18V363Kia Motors America
Component
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kia Forte, Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Kia Optima and 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying.
Risk
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners. For model year 2011 Sedona vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to verify the ACU part number and, if necessary, install an extension wire harness kit between the ACU Connector and the Vehicle Harness Connector. For all other affected vehicles, Kia will instruct dealers to install the extension wire harness kit. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.
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.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Kia Forte2010201120122013
Kia Forte Koup2010201120122013
Kia Optima201120122013
Kia Optima Hybrid20112012
Kia Sedona20112012