GROUP
TRA

NUMBER
071A

MODEL
2018MY
Optima (JFa) 2.0T
Sorento (UMa) 3.3L
DATE
November 2017

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SUBJECT:

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, upshift,
and/or shift delay. To correct this concern, apply the improved logic to the TCU using the KDS
ECU Upgrade function as described in this bulletin. For confirmation that the latest reflash has
been applied to a vehicle you are working on, verify the ROM ID using the table on pages 2-3
of this bulletin. Kia is requesting the completion of this Service Action on all affected vehicles in
dealer stock, prior to delivery. Before conducting the procedure, verify that the vehicle is
included in the list of affected VINs.

Kia Diagnostic System (KDS)

 NOTICE
A Service Action is a repair program without customer notification that is performed
during the warranty period. Any dealer requesting to perform this repair outside the
warranty period will require DPSM approval.
Repair status for a VIN is provided on WebDCS (Service → Warranty Coverage →
Warranty Coverage Inquiry → Campaign Information). Not completed Recall / Service
Action reports are available on WebDCS (Consumer Affairs → Not Completed Recall
→ Recall VIN → Select Report), which includes a list of affected vehicles.
This issue number is SA315A.
File Under:
Circulate To:

X General Manager


X Service Advisors


X Technicians


X Service Manager


X Parts Manager


X Body Shop Manager  Fleet Repair


Page 2 of 7
SUBJECT:

SERVICE ACTION: SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315A)

ECU Upgrade Procedure:
To correct this condition, the ECU should be reprogrammed using the KDS
download, as described in this bulletin.
Upgrade Event Name
351.JFA 2.0/2.4 TCU GEAR SHIFT LOGIC IMPROVEMENT
354.UMA 3.3 TCU GEAR SHIFT LOGIC IMPROVEMENT

 NOTICE









A fully charged battery is necessary before ECU upgrade can take place. It is
recommended that the Midtronics GR8-1299 system be used in ECU mode during
charging. DO NOT connect any other battery charger to the vehicle during ECU
upgrade.
All ECU upgrades must be done with the ignition key in the ‘ON’ position.
Be careful not to disconnect the VCI-II connected to the vehicle during the ECU
upgrade procedure.
DO NOT start the engine during ECU upgrade.
DO NOT turn the ignition key ‘OFF’ or interrupt the power supply during ECU
upgrade.
When the ECU upgrade is completed, turn the ignition ‘OFF’ and wait 10 seconds
before starting the engine.
ONLY use approved ECU upgrade software designated for the correct model,
year.

 NOTICE
Before attempting an ECU upgrade on any Kia model, make sure to first determine
whether the particular model is equipped with an immobilizer security system.
Failure to follow proper procedures may cause the PCM to become inoperative after
the upgrade and any claims associated with this repair may be subject to
chargeback.
ROM ID INFORMATION TABLE:
Upgrade Event #351
Model

EM

TM

TCU P/No.

JFa

2.0T

AT

39108-2GTK2
39108-2GTK7

TM

TCU P/No.

ROM ID
Previous

New

TJF0T20NSB
TJF0T20NSC

TJF0T20NSD

Upgrade Event ##354
Model

EM

ROM ID
Previous

New

39111-3CWN2
TUM0Z33NS8
TUM0Z33N******S9
39101-3CWN2
To verify the vehicle is affected, be sure to check the Calibration Identification of the vehicle's ECM
ROM ID and reference the Information Table as necessary.
UMa

3.3L

AT

TSB: SA315A Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa) November 2017

Page 3 of 7
SUBJECT:

SERVICE ACTION: SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315A)

 NOTICE
Prior to performing the ECU upgrade, be sure to check that the KDS is fully charged.
1.

Connect the VCI-II to the OBD-II
connector, located under the driver’s side
of the instrument panel.

 NOTICE
The ECU upgrade function on
KDS operates wirelessly. It is
not necessary to perform the
upgrade via USB cable.

2.

With the ignition ON, turn ON the KDS
tablet. Select KDS from the home
screen.

3.

Confirm communication with VCI (A) and
then configure the vehicle (B) using the
AUTO VIN (C) feature.

B
A

C
4.

Select ECU Upgrade.

TSB: SA315A Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa) November 2017

Page 4 of 7
SUBJECT:

5.

SERVICE ACTION: SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315A)

The KDS will check the server for
recently uploaded Events and then
automatically download Upgrade Event
#351 or #354.

 NOTICE
The vehicle must be identified in
Vehicle Selection to download
an Event for that vehicle.

6.

KDS screenshot shown above is for
demonstration purposes only. Events shown in
screenshot are not applicable to this bulletin.

Select Auto Mode.

CAUTION
Do NOT attempt to perform a
Manual Mode upgrade UNLESS
Auto Mode fails. Always follow
the instructions given on the
KDS in either Auto or Manual
mode.
7.

Select the A/T system under the System
selection menu.

D

Touch ID Check (D) and confirm that the
latest update is available.
Select Upgrade Event #351 or #354
and select Upgrade to continue.

8.

The ECU upgrade will begin and the
progress of the upgrade will appear on
the bar graph. Upgrade part (1/2) (E) will
download the upgrade event to the VCIII. Upgrade part (2/2) (F) will upgrade the
ECU.

CAUTION

E

F

Do not touch the system
buttons (like ‘Back’, ‘Home’,
‘etc.’) while performing ECU
Upgrade.
TSB: SA315A Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa) November 2017

Page 5 of 7
SUBJECT:

9.

SERVICE ACTION: SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315A)

If a “Communication Fail” screen
appears, verify that the VCI-II and KDS
are communicating properly. Touch OK
and restart the procedure from step 4.

 NOTICE
If an error notice continues to
appear or if the upgrade cannot
be performed, contact Techline
or GIT America Help Desk.
10. When instructed on the KDS, turn the
ignition OFF for ten (10) seconds then
back on. Touch OK to continue.

11. Once the upgrade is complete, touch OK
to finalize the procedure.

12. When prompted, select YES to check for
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) and
erase any DTCs stored such as EPS,
ESC, and TPMS that may have been set
during the upgrade.

13. Start the engine to confirm proper
operation of the vehicle.
TSB: SA315A Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa) November 2017

Page 6 of 7
SUBJECT:

SERVICE ACTION: SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315A)

Manual Upgrade Procedure:

 NOTICE
The manual upgrade should ONLY be performed if the automatic upgrade fails.
If the automatic upgrade fails, turn the ignition OFF for about 10 seconds then place
it back in the ON position to reset the control unit BEFORE performing manual
upgrade.
See table below for Manual Mode passwords.

Manual Mode ECU Upgrade Passwords
Event

Model

System

351
354

JFa 2.0T
UMa 3.3L

TCU

Menu
JFA 2.0TGDI ULEV : 39108-2GTK2/K7
UMA 3.3GDI : 39111/39101-3CWN2

Password
8229
0131

1.

Within the ECU Upgrade screen displayed, select Manual Mode.

2.

Select the AT system under the System selection menu. Select Upgrade Event #351 or
#354 and select Upgrade to continue.

3.

Select the appropriate control unit part number with reference to the ROM ID Information
Table on page 3, and select OK.

4.

Enter the appropriate password from the Manual Mode password table above and select
OK.

5.

The upgrade will begin and the progress of the upgrade will appear on the bar graph.

6.

When instructed on the KDS, turn the ignition OFF for ten (10) seconds then back on.
Touch OK to continue.

7.

Once the upgrade is complete, touch OK to finalize the procedure.

8.

When prompted, select YES to check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) and erase any
DTCs stored such as EPS, ESC, and TPMS that may have been set during the upgrade.

9.

Start the engine to confirm proper operation of the vehicle.

TSB: SA315A Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa) November 2017

Page 7 of 7
SUBJECT:

SERVICE ACTION: SHIFT QUALITY LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA315A)

AFFECTED VEHICLE RANGE:
Model

Production Date Range

Optima (JFa) 2.0T

April 19, 2017 through July 10, 2017

Sorento (UMa) 3.3L

March 31, 2017 through July 25, 2017

WARRANTY INFORMATION:
N Code: N99 C Code: C99
Model

Claim
Type

Causal
P/N

Qty.

Repair
Description

Labor
Op Code

Op
Time

Replacement
P/N

Qty.

V

39100
2GTC8

0

(SA315A)
2.0T & 3.3L TCU
Logic Improvement

170A52R0

0.3
M/H

N/A

0

JFa
2.0T

UMa
3.3L

 NOTICE
VIN inquiry data for this repair is provided for tracking purposes only. Kia retailers
should reference SA315A when accessing the WebDCS system.

TSB: SA315A Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa) November 2017