Irvine, CA – October 1, 2022 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF) is recalling 70,887 SUVs that may catch fire while driving or parked. This increases the risk of crash, injury or property damage.
This recall comes on the heels of another recent Kia recall for the same issue and includes the following models:
- 2016 – 2022 Kia Sorento
- 2021 – 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- 2022 – 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
- 2017 – 2022 Kia Sportage
Recall summary
This recall is very similar to the one from August, which affected certain Kia and Hyundai SUVs. Like in that previous recall, the issue is a defective tow hitch harness module.
Due to moisture or “foreign material contamination”, the module’s circuit board can experience a short circuit, which can cause overheating or start a fire. Kia has reported at least three vehicle fires and 30 incidences of localized melting as a result of this issue.
The component causing this recall is the tow hitch harness with various part numbers depending on the model, including C6061 ADUS0, C6061 ADUSAQQK and D9061 ADUS6QQK.
Recall risks
Vehicle fire carries several hazards. You can read more in the above-referenced article about the earlier Kia and Hyundai fire recall.
Safety tips
As with the previous recall, Kia advises owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until a remedy is available.
Other Kia recalls
Recent Kia Sorento recalls include one in June 2022 over exploding seat belt retractors. This issue has led to a U.S. government investigation that is currently underway.
In addition, some of the earlier Sorento and Sportage model-years are among the 3 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles at the center of another probe due to multiple non-crash related fires, as reported.
Repair
At this time, Kia is working on a solution and will inform vehicle owners when it becomes available. Once this happens, the repair will be free of charge.
Notifications to vehicle owners will be sent between November 14, 2022, and November 18, 2022.
Is your vehicle part of this recall?
More than 70,000 SUVs are being recalled over this Kia fire risk. To do a Kia recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
