2018 Kia Optima Technical Service Bulletins

155 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2018 Kia Optima. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.

• 10169797Dec 12, 2019Engine cooling. Owner Letter - PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (PI1802) **THIRD NOTICE** - Dear Kia Optima Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on some 2014 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection ("GDI") engines, and all 2015-2018 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI ("T-GDI") engines to protect the…
• 10168850Nov 26, 2019Equipment, Steering, Engine cooling. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 5 equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power…
• 10168948Nov 7, 2019Engine cooling. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN PI1802W/X (Rev 6) - PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802, Rev 6, 01/31/2019) titled '€"Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement"€.
• 10168840Nov 7, 2019Electrical system, Engine cooling. TSB - Product Improvement Campaign: KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1802) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
• 10167301Oct 15, 2019Steering. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB084_R3: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 5 equipped with a Column Motor…
• 10167214Oct 14, 2019Engine cooling. PITSTOP: LOWER ENGINE SERVICE COVER BOLT LOCATIONS - This Pitstop provides information on the correct bolt location of the lower engine service cover on 2016-2020MY Optima 2.4L and 2.0L equipped vehicles. The lower engine service cover is secured by seven (7) retaining bolts. Installation of the two (2) long bolts in the incorrect location may cause puncture or damage to the oil pan in the event that the vehicle is…
• 10165611Sep 30, 2019Electrical system, Engine cooling. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1802) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The KSDS detects vibrations indicating the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear.
• 10163454Jul 11, 2019Engine cooling. TSB: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC18) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to extracting “in use performance tracking” emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California.
• 10162044Jun 21, 2019Steering. TSB: REPLACEMENT OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Steering Column Housing on the Kia models listed on the chart below with a column mounted C-MDPS unit.
• 10162049Jun 11, 2019Transmission and drivetrain. TSB: TRANSMISSION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to optimize the logic of the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on 2017-2018MY Soul (PS) and Forte (YDm) and 2016-2018MY Optima (JFa) vehicles equipped with 1.6T GDI that have one of the following three components replaced: Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) assembly; Transmission Control Unit (TCU), and Double Clutch Set.The friction material of…
• 10162055Jun 3, 2019Engine cooling. PI1802_OWNR2_OPT: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on some 2014 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection ("œGDI") engines, and all 2015-2018 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L GDI and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI ("œT-GDI") engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
• 10160612May 16, 2019Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). PITSTOP: OUTSIDE MIRROR GLASS CONTROL INOPERATIVE - This Pitstop provides information on the repair procedure for an inoperative mirror glass on the outside door mirrors for 2016-2019MY Optima (JFa) and Sorento (UMa) vehicles.
• 10159245Apr 16, 2019Engine cooling. TSB: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC18) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting "in use performance tracking" emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires the emissions data from vehicles with a minimum of 3,000 accumulated miles without reprogramming or resetting.
• 10159249Apr 10, 2019Engine cooling, Electrical system. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: WIRING SIGNAL INTERFERENCE CHECK & ENGINE NOISE INSPECTION (SA379) - This bulletin provides information related to an expanded diagnostic test that is now required on a number of vehicles previously diagnosed with Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC") P1326. Using the procedures published in TSB PI1802W/X and PI1803W/X, the subject vehicles were diagnosed and determined to require an engine…
• 10159231Apr 10, 2019Electrical system, Engine cooling. TSB: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802W/X) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802, Rev 6, 01/31/2019) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement". Specifically, this bulletin provides instructions on which procedures to follow if, after installation of the KSDS, any one of the subject vehicles…
• 10159248Apr 5, 2019Engine cooling, Electrical system. TSB: SERVICE ACTION: WIRING SIGNAL INTERFERENCE CHECK & ENGINE NOISE INSPECTION (SA379) - This bulletin provides information related to an expanded diagnostic test that is now required on a number of vehicles previously diagnosed with Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC") P1326. Using the procedures published in TSB PI1802W/X and PI1803W/X, the subject vehicles were diagnosed and determined to require an engine…
• 10159230Apr 3, 2019Engine cooling, Electrical system. TSB: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802W/X) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802, Rev 6, 01/31/2019) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement". Specifically, this bulletin provides instructions on which procedures to follow if, after installation of the KSDS, any one of the subject vehicles…
• 10154694Feb 11, 2019Engine. VEHICLE PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802W/X)- This bulletin has been revised to include additional information This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802, Rev 6, 01/31/2019) titled ?Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement?.
• 10152918Jan 31, 2019Engine cooling. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN:KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM - ECU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI1802) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
• 10152919Jan 28, 2019Engine cooling. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI1802W/X) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in July 2018 (PI1802, Rev 5, 12/20/2018) titled ?Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement?.
• 10152915Jan 18, 2019Fuel system. TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS FOR GDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to all Kia vehicles equipped with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. In these engines highly pressurized gasoline is injected via a common fuel rail and injectors that deliver fuel directly into the combustion…
• 10152909Jan 18, 2019Electrical system. PITSTOP: P/HEV NO START ? SHIFT BEFORE READY - This Pitstop provides information regarding possible customer complaint of intermittent ?No-Start?.
• 10152913Jan 4, 2019Steering. TSB: REPLACEMENT OF C-MDPS MOTOR AND/OR ECU - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor and/or Electronic Control Unit (ECU) on the listed Kia models with a column mounted C-MDPS unit.
• 10152904Dec 20, 2018Electrical system. PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
• 10152905Nov 30, 2018Engine cooling. Dear Kia Optima Owner: Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on all 2016-2018 MY Optima vehicles equipped with 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (?GDI?) and 2.0L Turbocharged GDI (?T-GDI?) engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be done free of charge and will only involve the addition of newly…
• 10151902Nov 16, 2018Steering, Electrical system. TSB: REPLACEMENT OF C-MDPS MOTOR AND/OR ECU - This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor and/or Electronic Control Unit (ECU) on the listed Kia models with a column mounted C-MDPS unit. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin.
• 10145152Sep 21, 2018Brakes. PITSTOP - INTEGRATED BRAKE ACTUATOR UNIT (IBAU) HONK NOISE - This Pitstop provides information regarding the 2017-2018MY Niro (DE P/HEV) and Optima Plug-in/Hybrid (P/HEV) vehicles, which may exhibit an intermittent ?squeaking? and/or ?honking? noise when applying the brakes rapidly. The ?Integrated Brake Actuator Unit? (IBAU) should NOT be replaced for this concern. An IBAU brake bleed should be performed.
• 10145150Sep 19, 2018Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). PITSTOP - CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR RAISING WINDSHIELD WIPERS - When servicing the windshield wipers on the listed vehicles below during PDI, make sure to use the procedure outlined below to raise the wiper arms to the fully vertical position in order to avoid damaging the paint on the rear edge of the hood. It is important to note that the wipers on these vehicles are recessed under the hood to provide better…
• 10143403Jul 30, 2018Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). PITSTOP - CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR RAISING WINDSHIELD WIPERS - When servicing the windshield wipers on 2015MY~ K900 (KH), 2016MY~ Optima (JFa/JF), and 2018MY~ Stinger (CK) vehicles during PDI, make sure to use the procedure outlined below to raise the wiper arms to the fully vertical position in order to avoid damaging the paint on the rear edge of the hood.
• 10143474Jul 25, 2018Equipment, Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain, Engine. Q & A - This document is the Q & A for the new Product Improvement Campaign to provide information regarding a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
• 10143472Jul 16, 2018Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain, Engine. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER NOTICE - This notice advised the dealer service manager of the new Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
• 10143471Jul 16, 2018Electrical system, Engine. DEALER PRINCIPAL NOTICE - This notice advised the dealer principal of the new Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage.
• 10141384May 22, 2018Equipment, Electrical system. PITSTOP - CLOCK CONCERNS ON UVO eSERVICES (UVO 3.0) - This Pitstop contains information regarding possible concerns with the clock on UVO eServices (UVO 3.0) head units installed on 2017-2018MY vehicles.
• 10136500Apr 17, 2018Engine cooling. TSB - DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC18) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to extracting ?in use performance tracking? emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California.
• 10133181Mar 21, 2018Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L SHIFT QUALITY & WAKE-UP LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA316B) - This bulletin has been CLOSED and superceded by TSB-ENG177C R3.
• 10133176Mar 21, 2018Equipment. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: FLOOR CONSOLE INNER PANEL INSPECTION & CORRECTION/REPLACEMENT (SA328) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and correct or replace the floor console inner side panels on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) vehicles, produced from August 1, 2017 through October 27, 2017, which may exhibit a peeling condition of the panel surface.
• 10133170Mar 2, 2018Engine cooling. PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
• 10130104Feb 16, 2018Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft serviceability for Kia vehicles equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
• 10128621Jan 31, 2018Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L SHIFT QUALITY & WAKE-UP LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA316B) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) 2.4L, produced from April 18, 2017 through September 7, 2017, and some 2017MY Sorento (UMa) 2.4L vehicles, produced from March 31, 2017 through December 6, 2017, which may…
• 10128583Jan 23, 2018Engine cooling. TSB - DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC18) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting ?in use performance tracking? emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California.
• 10128608Jan 12, 2018Equipment. PITSTOP - PREMIUM NAVIGATION OR UVO eco WITH NAVIGATION (AVN 5.0) - This Pitstop provides information regarding the features and functionality on the latest generation Premium Navigation or UVO eco with Navigation (designated as AVN 5.0) system that is applied to some 2018MY Sportage (QL), Optima (JFa), Soul (PS), Stinger (CK), and Niro PHEV (DE) vehicles.
• 10128617Jan 11, 2018Equipment, Body and structure. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: FLOOR CONSOLE INNER PANEL INSPECTION & CORRECTION/REPLACEMENT (SA328) -This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and correct or replace the floor console inner side panels on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) vehicles, produced from August 1, 2017 through October 27, 2017, which may exhibit a peeling condition of the panel surface.
• 10127020Dec 1, 2017Electrical system. PITSTOP - KEY FOB AND BATTERY VIN LABELS - To assist in improving product quality and warranty claims, key fobs/smart keys and the vehicle battery now have labels (A) containing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). These labels have been applied beginning with October 21, 2017 production for Optima (JFa) and Sorento (UMa) from the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) plant.
• 10126427Nov 22, 2017Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L SHIFT QUALITY & WAKE-UP LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA316B) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) 2.4L, produced from April 18, 2017 through September 7, 2017, and some 2018MY Sorento (UMa) 2.4L vehicles, produced from March 31, 2017 through October 19, 2017, which may…
• 10126426Nov 22, 2017Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L SHIFT QUALITY & WAKE-UP LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA316A) - CLOSED - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) 2.4L vehicles, produced from April 18, 2017 through September 7, 2017, which may experience an extended crank and/or a shift quality concern, such as a hard downshift…
• 10126431Nov 21, 2017Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: 2.0t & 3.3l SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315A) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) 2.0T, produced from April 19, 2017 through July 10, 2017, and some 2018MY Sorento (UMa) 2.0T and 3.3L vehicles, produced from March 23, 2017 through September 18, 2017, which may experience a shift quality concern…
• 10126430Nov 16, 2017Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315A) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) 2.0T, produced from April 19, 2017 through July 10, 2017, and some 2018MY Sorento (UMa) 3.3L vehicles, produced from March 31, 2017 through July 25, 2017, which may experience a shift quality concern, such as a hard downshift…
• 10126429Nov 16, 2017Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: 2.0T & 3.3L SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315) - CLOSED - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) 2.0T, produced from April 19, 2017 through July 10, 2017, and some 2018MY Sorento (UMa) 2.0T and 3.3L vehicles, produced from March 31, 2017 through July 25, 2017, which may experience a shift quality…
• 10126425Nov 16, 2017Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L SHIFT QUALITY & WAKE-UP LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA316A) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) 2.4L vehicles, produced from April 18, 2017 through September 7, 2017, which may experience an extended crank and/or a shift quality concern, such as a hard downshift, upshift…
• 10126424Nov 15, 2017Transmission and drivetrain. TSB - SERVICE ACTION: 2.4L SHIFT QUALITY & WAKE-UP LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA316) - CLOSED - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and Transmission Control Unit (TCU) on some 2018MY Optima (JFa) 2.4L, produced from April 18, 2017 through September 7, 2017, and some 2018MY Sorento (UMa) 2.4L vehicles, produced from March 31, 2017 through October 19, 2017, which may…

← All problems reported for the 2018 Kia Optima