KIA SORENTO (2018) recall — Steering
Kia recalls certain 2018 Sorento vehicles with improperly welded cowl crossbar that may cause steering column separation, increasing crash risk. Owners will receive free replacement.
Use caution until it’s fixed
If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Contact the company & request your remedy
What happened, in plain English
Kia is recalling some 2018 Sorento vehicles because the cowl crossbar connecting to the steering column may be improperly welded. This could cause the steering column to separate, leading to loss of steering control and a higher risk of crash. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1225130-kia-2018-sorento-steering-recall-risk-of-loss-of-steering.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1225130-kia-2018-sorento-steering-recall-risk-of-loss-of-steering · Updated October 6, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #18V656000
Cite this page
“Kia 2018 Sorento Steering Recall: Risk of Loss of Steering Control.” GovInfoNow, updated October 6, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1225130-kia-2018-sorento-steering-recall-risk-of-loss-of-steering. Based on NHTSA recall #18V656000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V656000).
Why it’s dangerous
The cowl crossbar may not be properly welded, which can cause the steering column to separate. This separation leads to loss of steering ability, increasing the chance of a crash.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles with the specific cowl crossbar issue are affected. Drivers using these vehicles without the repair are at risk of losing steering control.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2018 Kia Sorento has a cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column. The recall began October 26, 2018, and applies to specific models.
- Brand
Kia- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Contact Kia Customer Service
Call 1-800-333-4542 to confirm your vehicle is affected and schedule a free replacement of the cowl crossbar.
Get Free Replacement
Kia will replace the cowl crossbar at no cost to you once you contact them.
What NHTSA says to do
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.
Questions people ask
Why is this recall happening?
The cowl crossbar connecting to the Motor Driven Power Steering steering column may be improperly welded, causing the steering column to separate and leading to loss of steering control.
How do I know if my vehicle is affected?
Your 2018 Kia Sorento is affected if the cowl crossbar is improperly welded, which may cause the steering column to separate. The recall began October 26, 2018.
What should I do if I own this vehicle?
Contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 to schedule a free replacement of the cowl crossbar.
Contact Kia
We’ve drafted a message you can send Kia to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 18V656000 — Kia Kia Hello, I own a Kia that is covered by recall 18V656000 from Kia. The official recall notice states: 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. I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this? Thank you.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: NHTSA Recall #18V656000 (September 21, 2018)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 6, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.