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Kia Carnival Tow Hitch Wiring Fire Risk
critical How serious is it? About this label
A fire like this can happen while the vehicle is parked or being driven, raising the risk of injury. Owners are told to park the vehicle outside and away from structures until the repair is completed.
⚠ Park outside, away from buildings — fire risk. See all such recalls.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V179000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Mar 17, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Part affected | Trailer Hitches |
| Vehicles covered | 2 model/year combinations, model years 2022–2023 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | Yes — fire risk |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
Some Kia Carnival vehicles with a tow hitch wiring harness can have water build up on a circuit board inside that harness. This water buildup can cause an electrical short, which can lead to a fire. Kia dealers will check whether your vehicle has this accessory hitch harness, and if so, install a new fuse and a wire extension kit, all at no cost to you.
What you should do
2. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected.
3. Contact your Kia dealer, or call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542, for the free repair.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 23V179000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (2)
Who to contact
Kia — official Kia recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-333-4542
The bigger picture
- Kia trailer hitch recalls involving wiring fires and screen failure · all 4 Kia recalls in this area
Other Kia Carnival recalls
- Apr 10, 2026Kia Carnival Fuel Pipe Connection May Leakcritical
- Jan 27, 2026Kia Instrument Panel Display May Failhigh
- Jan 18, 2024Kia Carnival and Sportage: Roof Molding May Detachmedium
- Mar 31, 2023Kia Carnival power sliding doors may not auto-reversemedium
- Nov 19, 2021Kia Carnival Power Sliding Door May Open While Movinghigh
- Apr 21, 2021Kia Carnival Fuel Rail May Leakcritical
Official notice
- Component
- TRAILER HITCHES
- Summary
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
- Safety risk
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If equipped, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC265.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.