CarRecallWatch- Component
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, 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."
- Risk
- A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
- 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.
What this recall means for you
The trunk latch base can crack, which may stop the trunk from being opened from the inside. This means a person who is inside the trunk could become trapped, raising the risk of injury. The defect means these vehicles do not meet federal requirements for an internal trunk release.
Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. If you have questions, you can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 and reference recall SC278.
Check your vehicle's VIN for open recalls and contact an authorized Kia dealer to schedule the free repair.
Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle
Official recall notice
Affected vehicles
| Kia Optima | 201620172018 |
|---|---|
| Kia Optima Hybrid | 20172018 |
| Kia Optima Phev | 20172018 |
| Kia RIO | 20162017 |