2016–2023 Kia (4 models) Trailer Hitches Recall 22V703000 (Kia SC249)

NHTSA recall 22V703000 (Kia recall SC249) covers about 70,887 2016–2023 Kia (4 models) vehicles (trailer hitches), filed with NHTSA Sep 19, 2022. NHTSA lists a PARK-OUTSIDE advisory: owners should park outside and away from buildings until the repair is done.

Source: NHTSA campaign 22V703000 · Data as of Nov 6, 2026 · By CarWhere Research

Park outside: NHTSA safety advisory

NHTSA lists a park-outside advisory for this campaign. Owners should park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

70,887
vehicles affected (potential)
2016–2023
model years
Sep 19, 2022
filed with NHTSA
Park outside
NHTSA advisory

What's recalled

Component: Trailer hitches

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling 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. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

The risk

A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

The remedy and its status

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

Status: NHTSA lists Jul 27, 2023 as the owner-notification date for this campaign.

Kia recall number SC249

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number for 22V703000 as SC249. Owner letters and dealer service departments often use this code, so a search for "SC249 recall" refers to the same campaign.

Affected models and years

Models and model years NHTSA lists for this campaign. Not every vehicle of a listed model and year is included; check by VIN.

VehicleModel yearsMore
Kia Sorento2016–2022All Sorento recallsYears to avoid
Kia Sorento Hybrid2021–2023—
Kia Sorento Phev2022–2023—
Kia Sportage2017–2022All Sportage recallsYears to avoid

Key dates

Report filed with NHTSA
Sep 19, 2022
Owner notification
Jul 27, 2023
Recall initiated by
the manufacturer
Filed by
Kia America, Inc.

Check your VIN for 22V703000

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the door-jamb sticker, or your registration.
  2. Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN recall lookup. It shows every open recall on that exact vehicle, including this one if it applies and hasn't been repaired.
  3. If 22V703000 is open, call any Kia dealer's service department and give them the recall number (22V703000 or SC249). The repair is free.

Not sure of the exact model or year? Decode it first with the free VIN decoder.

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 22V703000?

NHTSA recall 22V703000 (Kia recall SC249) covers about 70,887 2016–2023 Kia (4 models) vehicles (trailer hitches), filed with NHTSA Sep 19, 2022. NHTSA lists a PARK-OUTSIDE advisory: owners should park outside and away from buildings until the repair is done. It 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.

Is it safe to drive a vehicle with recall 22V703000?

NHTSA's record for 22V703000 carries a park-outside advisory: owners should park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until the recall repair is done.

How do I know if my vehicle is affected by 22V703000?

Only a VIN lookup can tell you. Not every vehicle of the listed models and years is included, and repaired vehicles drop off. Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer to check it.

What is the fix for recall 22V703000, and is it free?

NHTSA's record says: "Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete." NHTSA lists Jul 27, 2023 as the owner-notification date for this campaign. Safety-recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.

What is the Kia recall number for 22V703000?

NHTSA lists the manufacturer's own recall number as SC249. Dealers and owner letters often use that code (SC249) instead of the NHTSA campaign number 22V703000.

Sources and method

  • NHTSA recall record for 22V703000, from NHTSA's public recall campaign database. Problem, risk and remedy text is NHTSA's own wording.
  • "Vehicles affected" is NHTSA's potential-units-affected count for the whole campaign.
  • Data as of Nov 6, 2026. NHTSA updates campaigns as manufacturers file amendments, so check the official record for the latest.

Related recalls

Latest Kia recallsNewest recallsAll recall campaignsRecalls by brand