Kia recalls 70,887 SUVs with wiring that can catch fire

Kia is recalling as many as 70,887 SUVs equipped with trailer hitches because the wiring harness can cause a fire.

The recall covers 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.

The company says debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module’s printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in an advisory.

The agency said Kia is currently working on a remedy to the safety issue. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 14, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

Kia's number for this recall is SC249. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

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Mark Huffman has been a consumer news reporter for ConsumerAffairs since 2004. He covers real estate, gas prices and the economy and has reported extensively on negative-option sales. He was previously an Associated Press reporter and editor in Washington, D.C., a correspondent for Westwoood One Radio Networks and Marketwatch.

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