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ProblemsByVinKIA / ELECTRICAL
158 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Kia electrical problems
4,185 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Kia vehicles for electrical issues.
19 active recall campaigns. See electrical across all makes →
Complaints
4,185
Recalls
19
Year-models
158
Avg fix
$850
90crashes
407fires
84injuries
12fatalities
Editorial perspective by Shop Foreman · Lead technician
At the shop, Kia electrical-system issues have a recognizable signature. 4,185 documented complaints across 158 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 12 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Kia vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 1,424 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 76,285 miles. Average shop fix runs about $850 — not catastrophic, but it adds up over time. Read the specific complaints before assuming the worst — the category covers everything from a forty-dollar switch to a twenty-five-hundred-dollar module.
Worst-affected Kia model-years for electrical Top 25 by complaint volume
Kia is recalling certain model year 2010 soul and model year 2011 sorento vehicles manufactured from september 7, 2009 through july 30, 2010
When the lights are illuminated under certain conditions, an electrical short may occur that can result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harnesses for the lights in the Kia soul vehicle's advanced lighting speakers, and the wiring harness for the Kia sorento vehicle's interior accent illumination. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 13, 2010. Owners may contact Kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash, and an electrical surge increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the alternator battery positive terminal nut, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC248.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Telluride vehicles
A blank LCD display may be missing information, such as the digital speedometer, gear selection indicator, and odometer, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster's software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 3, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC215.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles
The damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be replaced and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC170.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear GDU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC337.
A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the MDPS wiring harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC309.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles equipped with manually-adjusted front passenger seats
If a child is in a child seat in the front seat, a broken ODS wiring harness will not prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will remove the wire harness clip to prevent the wiring harness from breaking. If the harness is found damaged, the front passenger seat cushion will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC175.
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the ICCU software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC327. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 24V-200. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 24V-200 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Common questions
How many Kia electrical complaints are on file with NHTSA?
4,185 complaints across 158 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 19 active recall campaigns cover electrical issues across the Kia lineup.
Which Kia model has the most electrical complaints?
The 2011 Kia Sorento leads with 203 complaints in this category. Next: 2022 EV6 (162) and 2014 Sorento (131).
What does it cost to fix Kia electrical problems?
Independent shops average $850 for electrical repairs across the Kia lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Kia electrical recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover electrical on Kia vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Kia.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.