Kia Sportage recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

Trailer Hitches

Model years 2017–2022

NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence:

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy:

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Model year 2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) 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.

Consequence:

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

Remedy:

Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module

Model years 2014–2016

NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

Consequence:

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy:

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module

Model years 2017–2021

NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Consequence:

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy:

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Engine

Model year 2012

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Consequence:

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy:

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Engine

Model years 2011–2012

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.

Consequence:

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Engine; Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

Model years 2011–2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence:

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy:

Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine

Model years 2011–2013

Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Consequence:

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Trailer Hitches; Electrical System

Model year 2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence:

If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Electrical System › Wiring

Model years 2008–2009

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.

Consequence:

If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy:

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.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

Model year 2011

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail.

Consequence:

Whenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC121.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Equipment › Other › Labels

Model year 2014

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured September 30, 2013, through January 11, 2014. The certification label has incorrect tire pressure information printed on it, listing a specification that is 1 or 2 psi below the correct information. Thus, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence:

Maintaining tire pressure below the recommmend specification could result in premature tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will correct the label information, and owners will also receive a sticker to put into the owners manual, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in February 2014. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC103.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

Model years 2007–2011

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence:

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

Model years 2006–2007

Huyndai-Kia is recalling 139,844 MY 2006-2007- sedona, sportage, sorento and my rondo and amanti vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A stop lamp switch malfunction may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.

Consequence:

Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.

Remedy:

Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2009. Owners may contact Kia's consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan

Model year 2002

On certain vehicles, the heat generated by the engine causes repeated bending deformation of the polypropylene cooling fan including its retaining ring, which stresses the polypropylene thereby initiating cracking of the blades. The centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the blades can cause the cracks to propagate until complete separation occurs.

Consequence:

Separation of the fan blade(s) can create a risk of personal injury.

Remedy:

Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan with a fan made of improved material. The recall began on June 11, 2007. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Parking Brake

Model year 2005

On certain sport utility vehicles, the parking brake lever ratchet pawl was not properly manufactured and my damage the teeth of the parking brake lever ratchet. Damaged parking brake lever ratchet teeth may prevent the parking brake from engaging or may allow the parking brake to release after it has been engaged.

Consequence:

The inability to engage, or the inadvertent release of, the parking brake lever may allow your vehicle to roll while it is parked and may result in a crash.

Remedy:

Dealers will replace the parking brake lever assembly. The recall began on August 1, 2005. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage

Model year 2005

On certain sport utility vehicles, fuel may leak from the o-ring into the internal vapor chamber located in the fuel tank at full tank conditions.

Consequence:

The engine may stall when coming to a stop. It will be hard to fill the gas tank and external fuel may leak from the evaporative air filter inlet. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Remedy:

Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank and replace the charcoal canister free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2005. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Electronic Stability Control › Automatic (ASC)

Model year 2005

On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with electronic stability program (esp), the yaw rate sensor may become too sensitive and may recalibrate inaccurately. While driving the esp program may cause the engine to reduce power and may cause a brake at one of the wheels to be inappropriately.

Consequence:

Brake application caused by inadvertent esp activation may result in loss of control and a crash.

Remedy:

Dealers will reprogram the esp hydraulic electronic control unit free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2005. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly

Model years 1999–2000

On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the front safety belt buckles may emit a "click" sound during the buckling process that is similar to the sound emitted when a buckle is being latched, when it is not.

Consequence:

The latch can then pull out of the buckle when tension is applied.

Remedy:

Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. The recall began August 16, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly

Model years 1995–1998

On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.

Consequence:

In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy:

Owner notification began December 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Electrical System

Model year 2000

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicle. These vehicles were distributed with owners manuals with an incorrect jump start diagram. The written instructions for jump starting are accurate. However, the diagram depicts the jumper cables attached to the wrong polarity terminals. If the diagram were followed without reference to the instructions, the resulting improper connections could cause the battery to rupture aggressively due to increased internal pressures.

Consequence:

This could cause potential serious injury to bystanders.

Remedy:

Owners will be provided with an adhesive label with the correct illustration to permanently affix to their respective owners manuals.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Electrical System › Wiring

Model years 1997–1999

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The wires connected to the C123 and C124 connectors can be put under tension by movement of the engine, thus pulling the wires and connectors, loosening them and resulting in a loss of circuit continuity.

Consequence:

This condition can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Dealers will install spring clips to lock the connectors together. In addition, the dealers will be instructed to solder a splice in the wire harness.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

Model years 1998–1999

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles without an anti-lock braking system (ABS). The steering intermediate shaft coupling can contact a hydraulic brake pipe causing fluid leakage.

Consequence:

This condition can cause a loss of rear brake increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, increase the clearance between the brake pipe and steering intermediate shaft coupling.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock

Model years 1996–1997

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A microswitch on the rear hatch lock cylinder can malfunction causing the power door locks to unlock inadvertently.

Consequence:

Should this occur, security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost.

Remedy:

Dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal

Model year 1996

The accelerator pedal assembly could bind or stick during operation.

Consequence:

This condition can cause the accelerator to hold the throttle partially open, resulting in loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

Remedy:

Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Suspension › Rear

Model year 1995

The nuts attaching the rear axle bearing oil seal retainers and brake backing plates to the rear axle housing may be under- torqued causing these units to loosen or fall off.

Consequence:

This condition can cause (1) oil leakage into the rear brake and onto the brake linings; (2) rear brake damage from the axle nutsfalling into the rear brake drums; or (3) separation of the rear wheel/axleshaft from the vehicle resulting in an increased potential for a vehicle accident.

Remedy:

Dealers will inspect and retorque the rear axle bearing oil seal retainer nuts.

Filed by Kia America, Inc.