Car · Kia recalls
2018 Kia Sorento recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Sorento, filed between December 8, 2017 and September 19, 2022. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.
Stop-driving notice. 1 campaign below carries a "do not drive" or "park outside" advice from the maker. Read those first and call a dealer.
| Campaign | Filed | Part |
|---|---|---|
| 22V703000 | September 19, 2022 | Trailer hitches |
| 18V656000 | September 21, 2018 | Steering: electric power assist system |
| 17V784000 | December 8, 2017 | Air bags: side/window |
Trailer hitches (22V703000)
Filed September 19, 2022 · Park outside
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix. 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.
Steering: electric power assist system (18V656000)
Filed September 21, 2018
What is wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
What could happen. If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Air bags: side/window (17V784000)
Filed December 8, 2017
What is wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
What could happen. If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
Check that your car is on the list
Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2018 Kia Sorento may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN.
How to confirm the repair is free
- Call any authorized Kia dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
- Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
- If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
- Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.
If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, Kia may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or Kia customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.
Other model years of the Sorento
- 2025 (3)
- 2024 (2)
- 2023 (3)
- 2022 (6)
- 2021 (4)
- 2020 (1)
- 2019 (2)
- 2017 (4)
- 2016 (8)
- 2015 (3)
- 2014 (6)
- 2013 (5)
- 2012 (5)
- 2011 (8)
- 2010 (2)
- All years
More: all Kia recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.
2018 Kia Sorento recall questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Sorento have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 Kia Sorento. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.
Is a recall repair on a 2018 Kia Sorento free?
Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized Kia dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.
How do I know if my 2018 Kia Sorento was already fixed?
Enter the VIN on our recall page. If a campaign is still open, it shows as open. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.
Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-28. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.