The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·22V651000·Announced 2024-05-08

2023 Kia Sportage: Loose Alternator Terminal Nut Poses Stall and Fire Risk

Kia is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles because the alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, risking engine stall or fire. Dealers will inspect and tighten the terminal nut free of charge.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The source reports no injuries, deaths, or incidents. The hazards are theoretical: engine stall increases crash risk, and electrical surge increases fire risk. Per the rubric, risk-of-harm recalls without reported illness or injury score at most 3 (High).

Plain-English summary

Kia America, Inc. is recalling certain 2023 Sportage vehicles. The alternator battery positive terminal nut may loosen, which can result in an engine stall or an electrical surge.

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. An electrical surge increases the risk of fire.

Kia dealers will inspect the alternator battery positive terminal nut and tighten it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 (Kia recall number SC248) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

The recalled product

Product
2023 KIA SPORTAGE
Brand
KIA
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle
Hazard
  • engine-stall
  • electrical-surge
  • fire
Affected units
19,701

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • SPORTAGE

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same brand · KIA

Same category