The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·22V703000·Announced 2023-07-09

2016-2023 Kia Sorento and Sportage tow hitch electrical fire hazard recall

Kia is recalling certain 2016-2023 Sorento and 2017-2022 Sportage models with factory or dealer-installed tow hitch harnesses. Moisture and debris on the harness module can cause an electrical short and fire while parked or driving.

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: This recall addresses a vehicle component defect with fire risk potential. Although no fires or injuries have been reported as of the recall date, the identified electrical short hazard poses significant risk of harm when the vehicle is in use or parked, fitting the criterion of a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Kia America, Inc. is recalling approximately 70,887 Kia Sorento vehicles (2016-2022), Sorento Hybrid vehicles (2021-2022), Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles (2022-2023), and Kia Sportage vehicles (2017-2022) that were equipped with a tow hitch harness as original equipment or purchased as an accessory from a Kia dealership.

The tow hitch harness module's printed circuit board (PCB) is susceptible to debris and moisture accumulation, which can cause an electrical short. This short may result in a fire while the vehicle is parked or driving, increasing the risk of injury.

Kia advises owners to park affected vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 11, 2023. Owners can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) for more information.

The recalled product

Product
2016 KIA SORENTO
Brand
KIA
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Trailer Hitch Electrical
Hazard
  • electrical-short
  • fire
Affected units
70,887

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 (4)

  • SORENTO
  • SPORTAGE
  • SORENTO PHEV
  • SORENTO HYBRID

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same brand · KIA

Same category