NHTSA campaign 21V844000 · Kia campaign SC218
Kia Recall 21V-844: Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire
- Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
NHTSA recall 21V844000 (Kia campaign SC218) was reported by Kia Motors America on October 29, 2021, with 10,731 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Kia Optima Hybrid and Kia Optima Phev for model years 2017–2018. Owners were notified on November 29, 2021, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 21V844000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Kia VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 21V844000 (also written 21V-844 or 21V844)
- Filed by
- Kia Motors America
- Kia campaign number
- SC218
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 10,731 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Engine
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 88.91% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 21V844000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
Kia
All Kia recallsNHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 21V844000.
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 21V844000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.