Keeping Cool Comes With Limits
Air-conditioning is a non-negotiable feature for many drivers, especially during the hottest months. With summer slowly winding down, the need for maximum cooling power may not be as urgent, but for some Kia Sorento owners, there’s a new reason to keep the fan setting in check.
Kia has issued a recall for 39,536 units of the Sorento, specifically the 2021-2023 LX models built between September 10, 2020, and December 29, 2023, at Kia’s Georgia facility. These units may be affected by a fault in their HVAC systems, which can cause the fan to run at higher speeds – a potential fire hazard.
What Triggered the Recall
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue stems from a supplier quality problem involving the wiring assembly linked to the blower motor resistor. The connection between the blower motor resistor and its connector can overheat when the HVAC system is set to fan speed 3 with the ignition switched on. While rare, the condition could escalate into a fire.
The root cause lies in production variances at the supplier, including wiring that was thinner than the specified gauge. Kia identified the recall population through supplier and production record reviews, though the vehicles were not produced in strict VIN order. Drivers may notice specific warnings before the issue becomes serious: the blower motor may stop working, a burning or melting odor may appear, or smoke may emerge from the air vents.
Kia
Fixing the Problem
To resolve the issue, Kia is instructing owners to bring affected vehicles to dealerships, where both the blower motor resistor circuit harness and the blower motor resistor will be replaced as a set. The remedy components come from a different supplier and are not expected to suffer from the same quality concerns. Kia will also reimburse owners who have already paid for similar repairs, in line with its reimbursement plan filed with regulators.
As part of its advisory, Kia recommends that owners avoid driving or, at the very least, park their vehicles outside until the remedy is applied. Dealer notifications began on September 26, 2025, with owners getting notified starting November 24, 2025, up to December 31, 2025. Owners can start searching their VINs by October 9, 2025, to confirm whether their Sorento is affected.
