Kia America, Inc.: Trailer Hitches
Kia America, Inc. reported this defect to federal regulators on Dec 17, 2025 and put the number of vehicles at risk at 5,046. The repair is free for as long as the recall stands.
The defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The risk
An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 31, 2025.
5 model years covered
Newest first| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Fires | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Sportage | 55 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 Kia Sportage Phev | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 Kia Sportage | 75 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| 2024 Kia Sportage Phev | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 Kia Sportage Phev | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What this page is, and what to do next
A recall is not an opinion. It is a Part 573 report a manufacturer is required by federal law to file once it decides a defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety, and it commits them to repairing the vehicle at no cost to the owner. The three passages above are the manufacturer’s own wording as published by NHTSA.
This page describes the campaign. It cannot tell you whether one particular car has already been through the shop — that is tracked by VIN, and only the manufacturer knows it. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a franchised dealer, quoting campaign number 25V874000.
Full record for the 2025 Kia Sportage → · Recalls carrying a do-not-drive advisory → · Where this data comes from →