Hydraulic electronic control unit may short
Defect Summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 kia sportage vehicles manufactured august 9, 2007, to may 13, 2009. the wire harness cover on the hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the hecu circuit board. if the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and the circuit board may short circuit.
Safety Consequence
If the hecu short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Corrective Action
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced. if corrosion is present, the dealer will replace the hecu assembly and the connector cover, free of charge. the recall began on november 28, 2016. owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. kia's number for this recall is sc138.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Kia America, Inc. or involving Electrical System.
FAQ: Recall 16V815000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 16V815000?
NHTSA recall 16V815000 was issued by Kia America, Inc. on November 10, 2016. It addresses: Hydraulic electronic control unit may short. The recall affects approximately 71,704 vehicles, with the defect involving the Electrical System component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Kia America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 16V815000 or the manufacturer campaign number SC138. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.