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Kia electrical recalls: fire, lost power and dead lights explained
⚠ 1 carries a park-outside (fire risk) advisory.
Fire and lost power dominate this group. Loose or faulty wiring shows up again and again: the 2018 Stinger front harness rubbing a body burr, alternator battery terminal nuts left loose on the 2020 Sedona and 2023 Sportage, and an inadequate HVAC blower harness on 2021-2023 Sorento. Kia's EVs have their own cluster — 2015-2019 Soul EV battery short circuits, misaligned battery cell electrodes on 2022-2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9, a repeated EV6 ICCU recall that stops the 12-volt battery charging, and a bad rear drive unit weld on the 2025 EV9. Software faults round it out, including blank 2022 Telluride cluster displays and 2024-2025 Sorento low beams and taillights cutting out.
Warning signs to watch for
- A burning smell or other electrical trouble — see a dealer immediately (2020 Sedona)
- The engine stalling, or an electrical surge (2023 Sportage)
- EV warning light on, limited charging or reduced power on a Soul EV after the software update
- Low beam headlights and taillights going dark, a blank instrument display at startup, or suddenly heavier steering
- Trailer brake lights not lighting when Smart Cruise Control applies the brakes (2020 Telluride)
Is it safe to keep driving?
Only one recall here changes how you park: for 2022-2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9, Kia says park outside and away from structures and limit charging to 80 percent until the high-voltage battery is replaced — it does not tell you to stop driving. No other recall in this group restricts driving. Still, the fire-risk items (Stinger harness, Sedona and Sportage alternator nuts, Sorento blower harness, Soul EV battery) deserve the earliest appointment you can get, and stop if you smell burning.
What the free repair involves
All free at a Kia dealer. Fasteners get checked and tightened (alternator terminal nuts); harnesses get inspected, covered, repaired or replaced (Stinger, Sorento blower and steering, Sedona seat wiring), with an added trailer wire harness for the Telluride. EV work runs from battery management software to replacing the whole high-voltage battery, the ICCU and its fuse, or the rear drive unit. Cluster, BDC and ICCU software updates cover the rest.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 6 |
| high | 5 |
| medium | 8 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
Common questions
Do I really have to park my EV6 outside?
Yes, for 2022-2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9 under the battery cell recall. Kia advises parking outside and away from structures and limiting charge to a maximum of 80 percent until the high-voltage battery assembly has been replaced.
My EV6's ICCU was already replaced — why another recall letter?
Kia issued two ICCU recalls covering 2022-2024 EV6, in March and November 2024, with the same remedy: inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse as needed, plus an ICCU software update. Treat the later letter as a separate repair to schedule.
Is my Sorento safe to drive at night before the headlight software update?
Kia does not restrict driving 2024-2025 Sorento models, but the recall covers low beams and taillights that can shut off, which matters most after dark. Get the Body Domain Control Unit software updated before you rely on night driving.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.