Kia America, Inc. has recently announced a safety recall for select 2023-2024 Kia Seltos, 2023 Kia Soul, and 2023 Kia Sportage vehicles to fix an issue with the oil pump controller that could lead to engine damage. The recall includes inspection and potential replacement of the oil pump controller in affected vehicles. Owners of recalled Kia models should be on the lookout for recall notifications so this important inspection and repair can be completed.

What is Causing the Fire Risk?

Kia has discovered an issue with the Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor (MLCC) on the circuit board inside the Idle Stop & Go (ISG) electric oil pump controller. The MLCC may have been damaged during manufacturing by the supplier. This damaged capacitor can lead to an electrical short while driving, resulting in overheating and thermal damage to the ISG pump’s circuit board, connector, and harness. Excessive heat in this component increases the fire risk.

What Are Some Signs That I Should Watch Out For?

Any of the following signs can be an indication of the vehicle’s parts overheating:

• You see various warning lights including electric power steering, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Auto Hold, Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA), and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) warning lamps lit up
• The Idle Stop & Go (ISG) becomes inoperable
• The Vehicle goes into limp home mode
• You cannot turn off the engine
• You see smoke coming from the engine compartment

Which Kia Vehicles Are Affected By The Fire Risk?

The following Kia vehicles are affected by the fire risk:

• 2023 Kia Soul (20,453 units)
• 2023-2024 Kia Seltos (14,901 units)
• 2023 Kia Sportage (4,411 units)

If you are an owner of these vehicles, you can expect to receive a letter with more details regarding the recall on September 28, 2023.

Can I Still Drive My Kia If It Is Affected By The Recall?

Kia strongly recommends that owners of affected vehicles park their cars outside and away from buildings or flammable materials until the recall repair is performed. To fix this issue, Kia dealers will inspect the ISG electric oil pump controller and replace it for free if necessary. Kia will also reimburse owners for the repair expenses already incurred as mentioned in Kia’s General Reimbursement Plan filed May 10, 2022.

Kia plans to begin mailing recall notification letters to owners on September 28, 2023. Concerned owners can also contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 and refer to recall number SC275 for more information.

What Kia Cars are being Recalled in 2023?

Kia has recalled certain 2022-2023 Kia Carnival, 2023 Kia Niro, 2023  2023 Kia Soul, 2023 Kia Sportage, 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, 2023 Kia Telluride, and 2023-2024 Kia Seltos for various issues with power sliding door, instrument cluster display, loss of power brake assist, and electric oil pump assembly. Here are some recalls in more detail:

• In March 2023, Kia recalled over 51,000 vehicles due to an issue with the power sliding door that would not auto-reverse. This means that the door could close on an occupant, increasing the risk of an injury. This recall affected the 2022-2023 Kia Carnival.
• In April 2023, Kia recalled over 108,000 vehicles due to an issue with their instrument cluster not displaying critical information such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash. This recall affected the 2023 Kia Niro, the 2023 Kia Niro PHEV, the 2023 Kia Soul, the 2023 Kia Sportage, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV, and the 2023 Kia Telluride.
• In June 2023, Kia recalled over 98,000 vehicles due to an issue with the brake booster diaphragm becoming misaligned and causing an internal vacuum leak. This could lead to a loss of power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash. This recall affected the 2023 Kia Sportage.
• In July 2023, Kia recalled over 39,000 vehicles due to an issue with the electric oil pump assembly overheating that increased the risk of a vehicle fire. This recall affected the 2023-2024 Kia Seltos, the 2023 Kia Soul, and the 2023 Kia Sportage.

If you own a Kia, check with your local dealer or Kia’s website to see if your Kia model has been affected by a recall. You can also look up your specific VIN or Year/Make/Model on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site for any open recalls.

What Should I Do If My Kia Is Having Issues?

Here are some tips on what to do if your Kia vehicle is experiencing problems:

• Don’t ignore new noises, leaks, smells, warning lights, or any other signs of issues. It’s important to have even minor problems checked by a mechanic before they turn into major repairs.
• Review your owner’s manual and write down any symptoms you notice. The manual can help you identify potential causes and determine if it’s safe to operate the vehicle.
• Make an appointment with your local Kia dealer or trusted mechanic. They have the specialized knowledge and access to service bulletins to diagnose and fix Kia-specific issues.
• Keep up with scheduled maintenance and inspections. This can help avoid many problems and catch issues early. Follow the recommended service intervals in your manual.
• Sign up for Kia recall alerts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. You’ll be notified if your specific Kia is part of a safety-related recall.
• Contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 if you have general questions or concerns about your model.
• Keep records of all repairs, maintenance, and correspondence with the dealer. This documentation can be useful for recurring issues or warranty claims.
• If repairs are taking too long, request a loaner car from the dealer so you still have transportation.

Acting quickly on any potential problem and leveraging your dealer’s Kia expertise can help minimize major headaches down the road. It’s never a bad idea to let certified technicians inspect your car for any concerns you might have.

What Can An Attorney Do For Me?

If you have been dealing with constant issues with your Kia that seem unfixable, it might be time to reach out to a lemon law attorney. Some defects can potentially be life-threatening, and you should not have to put up with that.

If the Kia manufacturer just can’t get your car fixed after multiple attempts, you may qualify to get it bought back or swapped for a new one. This falls under the lemon laws for wherever you originally bought it. A lawyer can look at your case and help determine if you meet the state’s criteria. Plus, you could receive money for all the headaches this defect has caused you.

Get Help From A Kia Lemon Law Attorney

If you own a Kia and it keeps having problems that the manufacturer cannot fix or keeps happening again, our Kia lemon law attorney can help. During our free consultation, we’ll go over your situation more closely to see if we can help with your Kia. Because our consultations are free, it will only take the effort of picking up the phone and calling us to get started on getting your car issue resolved.

Call us at (818) 254-8413 for your free consultation today, or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.