KIA SPORTAGE (2020) recall — Trailer Hitches
Kia recalls 2020 Sportage vehicles with trailer hitches that may overheat and cause fire due to debris and moisture. Owners must park away from structures until repair.
Use caution until it’s fixed
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Contact the company & request your remedy
What happened, in plain English
Kia is recalling 2020 Sportage vehicles with trailer hitches that could overheat and cause fire. This risk happens when debris and moisture build up on the hitch's electrical board. Affected owners should park away from structures until the repair is done. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/79788-kia-sportage-2020-trailer-hitches-fire-risk-recall.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/79788-kia-sportage-2020-trailer-hitches-fire-risk-recall · Updated October 4, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #22V703000
Cite this page
“Kia Sportage 2020: Trailer Hitches Fire Risk - Recall.” GovInfoNow, updated October 4, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79788-kia-sportage-2020-trailer-hitches-fire-risk-recall. Based on NHTSA recall #22V703000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V703000).
Why it’s dangerous
Debris and moisture can accumulate on the electrical board inside the trailer hitch harness module. This may cause an electrical short, leading to a fire while the vehicle is parked or in motion.
Who’s affected
Owners of 2020 Kia Sportage vehicles with trailer hitches installed as original equipment or purchased as accessories are affected. Those who park near structures or in damp areas are at higher risk.
How to tell if you have this one
Check if your 2020 Kia Sportage has a trailer hitch installed as original equipment or purchased as an accessory. The recall covers vehicles with the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) that may have debris or moisture.
- Brand
Kia- Category
Vehicle
What to do — step by step
Park Away From Structures
Move your vehicle to a safe location away from buildings, trees, or other structures until the repair is completed.
Contact Kia Customer Service
Reach out to Kia at 1-800-333-4542 to schedule a repair or get more information about the recall.
What NHTSA says to do
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Questions people ask
Why is my Kia Sportage being recalled?
Kia is recalling 2020 Sportage vehicles with trailer hitches because debris and moisture can accumulate on the electrical board, causing a fire risk.
How do I know if my vehicle is affected?
Your vehicle is affected if it's a 2020 Kia Sportage with a trailer hitch installed as original equipment or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership.
What should I do if I have the affected vehicle?
Park your vehicle away from structures and contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 to schedule a repair or get more information.
Contact Kia
We’ve drafted a message you can send Kia to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 22V703000 — Kia Kia Hello, I own a Kia that is covered by recall 22V703000 from Kia. The official recall notice states: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249. 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 #22V703000 (September 19, 2022)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 4, 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.