Kia has issued a recall on 12,214 of its Optima sedans across America due to a driveshaft problem.
According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), the problem relates to the 2016 Optima – specifically those built between November 13, 2015, and April 23, 2016, and equipped with the 2.4-liter engine. The naturally aspirated inline-four is the base engine on the Optima, alongside the smaller, turbocharged 1.6 and 2.0-liter units.
On those vehicles affected, the right front axle driveshaft may crack, which could either prevent the vehicle from moving forward, or allow it to roll away even with the parking brake applied.
Neither would be a particularly favorable situation, so Kia is instructing dealers to replace the problematic driveshaft. The campaign is slated to kick off on November 29.
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