Kia Calls Back Sorento SUVs, Citing Fire Risks
» Posted October 8, 2025 • Resources | Share This Post
Kia is recalling certain Sorrento sport utility vehicles because of a serious safety risk.
A heating, ventilation and air conditioning defect in some 39,000 SUVs may increase the risk of fires, according to the automaker. Specifically, the vehicles' blower motor wiring harness could overheat and catch fire.
“Due to a suspected wire harness supplier quality issue, the connection between the blower motor resistor and connector can overheat when using the HVAC system on fan speed 3 while the ignition is on,” the company said in a notice to dealers. “In rare cases, this condition may lead to a fire, increasing the risk of injury.”
The recall covers certain Sorento SUVs from model years 2021-2023, which were produced between September 2020 and December 2023.
Kia plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles by Nov. 4, 2025. It will ask owners to bring their cars to authorized service providers for inspection and repair. The company will also reimburse owners for certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the defect.
“Dealers will replace as a set both the blower motor resistor circuit harness with an improved one and the blower motor resistor with a new one,” Kia said in a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Kia Fire Risks
This is just the latest example of fire hazards associated with Kia vehicles.
The automaker’s parent company in 2023 recalled 3.4 million Kia and Hyundai cars due to possible fuel leaks. The company, which said it had received reports of 21 fires, warned owners to park outside until their vehicles were repaired.
That recall came one year before Kia and Hyundai called back nearly 500,000 vehicles over faulty antilock brake modules. Kia and Hyundai said at the time that electrical shorts could occur at any time, increasing the risk of fires.
More recently, the company recalled half a million Telluride SUVs last year. Kia said the vehicles’ seat motors could overheat, posing a fire risk. It ordered dealers to stop selling the recalled SUVs until the problem was fixed.
California Car Owners: Know Your Rights Under the Lemon Law
Car owners in the Golden State have important rights and protections under the California Lemon Law.
The law requires manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some situations) cars that they cannot or will not fix.
The buyback requirement includes compensating the owner for any down payment on the car, as well as for monthly loan payments and the outstanding balance on any loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental car, and other related expenses.
Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney
If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.
Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.
