The problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
The risk
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.
The 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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 26V-046 (26V046000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | SC361 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Component | Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel |
| Report date | January 26, 2026 |
| Owners notified | March 13, 2026 |
| Vehicles affected | 42,677 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
- 2026 Kia Carnival
- 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid
- 2026 Kia EV9
- 2025 Kia K4
- 2026 Kia K5
- 2025 Kia Sorento
- 2026 Kia Sorento
- 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid
- 2025 Kia Sorento Phev
- 2026 Kia Sportage
- 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Plus 3 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the electrical system
- 2026 Kia Carnival electrical problems 8
- 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid electrical problems 13
- 2026 Kia EV9 electrical problems 12
- 2025 Kia K4 electrical problems 14
- 2026 Kia K5 electrical problems 3
- 2025 Kia Sorento electrical problems 22
- 2026 Kia Sorento electrical problems 1
- 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid electrical problems 9
- 2025 Kia Sorento Phev electrical problems 3
- 2026 Kia Sportage electrical problems 6
- 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid electrical problems 2
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 26V-046 repair free?
Yes. Kia dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 42,677 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.