Kia Recalls Sorento, Sportage SUVs for Trailer Lights
The recall covers more than 10,000 2016 and 2017 vehicles equipped with accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses.

Photo of Kia Sorento courtesy of Kia.

Photo of Kia Sorento courtesy of Kia.
Kia Motors America is recalling 10,212 2016- and 2017-model year Sorento vehicles and 2017-MY Sportage vehicles equipped with accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported.
Because of a malfunction of the tow hitch module, the trailer brake lights for these SUVs may constantly illuminate, NHTSA said. This condition may confuse other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
The Sorento SUVs at issue were manufactured from Oct. 27, 2014 to Aug. 25, 2016. The Sportage vehicles were manufactured from Dec. 10, 2015 to Aug. 26, 2016. These vehicles fail to comply with all federal safety standards for vehicle lighting, according to NHTSA.
Kia dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge, to fix the problem. The recall is expected to begin Jan. 18.
Vehicle owners can reach Kia customer service at (800) 333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC142.
More Safety

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework
Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.
Read More →
Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk
Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.
Read More →
Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It
AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.
Read More →
How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety
During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.
Read More →
Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award
Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
