Kia has issued a recall alert for about 71,000 SUVs equipped with tow hitches because the vehicles can catch fire even when parked. The recall affects vehicles fitted with the Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory, whether installed at the factory or the dealership.
Affected models include:
- 2016-2022 Kia Sorento
- 2017-2022 Kia Sportage
- 2021-2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- 2022-2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
According to documents filed with federal safety regulators, moisture and debris can accumulate on a printed circuit board in the tow hitch harness, causing an electrical short that can lead to a fire.
Kia is still developing a remedy for the problem. The company has asked owners to “park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.” It has also instructed dealers not to sell the tow hitch harness while it investigates the problem.
This is the second recall related to a Kia tow hitch harness. Last month, the automaker recalled some Telluride SUVs, and corporate cousin Hyundai recalled some Palisade SUVs over a similar issue. In that case, dealers removed a fuse to reduce the fire risk while the company works on a more permanent solution. We’ve contacted Kia to ask if they will offer that option to Sorento and Sportage owners.
Recall repairs are always free.
Many cars are recalled, often more than once, during their lifespan. Automakers try to contact every owner but don’t always reach them all. Find out whether your car has any outstanding recalls with the easy VIN tool at our recall center.
