Kia Sorento Recall: Melting, Fire Risk, and Lemon Law Implications (Oh No!)
What’s the Problem
Kia has recalled approximately 40,000 model-year 2021–2023 Sorento SUVs due to a dangerous electrical defect that may cause melting or vehicle fires. According to Kia and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue involves the HVAC blower motor wiring harness.
Specifically, the connection between the blower motor resistor and the wiring connector can overheat when the fan is operating at speed 3 while the ignition is on. This excessive heat can cause melting, smoke, or even ignition of nearby materials inside the dashboard.
Kia has already documented 25 reports of melted connectors, one localized fire, and one total vehicle fire. In at least one instance, the entire Sorento was destroyed.
Recall notices will be mailed beginning November 24, 2025, with a follow-up notice on December 31, 2025. Dealers are instructed to replace both the HVAC blower motor resistor and wiring harness at no cost to the owner.
Allegations
Owners have reported burning smells, visible smoke from vents, and loss of HVAC function—sometimes just before the defect escalated into melting or fire.
In addition, the root cause remains under investigation, and Kia has acknowledged that the connector’s design and supplier quality control may have contributed to the overheating. This level of uncertainty may indicate that some vehicles could continue to experience symptoms even after the recall repair, raising serious safety and reliability concerns.
Recall / TSB
Recall No. SC351
Affected Vehicles: 2021–2023 Kia Sorento
Defect: Overheating and melting of HVAC blower motor wiring harness connection
Remedy: Replacement of blower motor resistor and wiring harness
Notification Dates: Initial – November 24, 2025; Follow-up – December 31, 2025
No separate Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) has been issued yet, but Kia’s internal communications confirm that the cause was traced to the passenger-side instrument panel near the glove box.
Symptoms
Drivers of affected Sorentos have reported:
Burning or melting odor near dashboard vents
Smoke from the HVAC system
HVAC fan not working or intermittent
Dashboard discoloration or localized melting
Vehicle fire originating near the blower motor area
Any of these symptoms could indicate imminent electrical failure or fire risk. Owners should turn off the vehicle immediately and contact their dealer if they notice these warning signs.
How to Proceed
Document Issues: Keep detailed records of all repairs and communications with the manufacturer. While at the dealership, ensure that all of your complaints are noted in the work order that you receive when you first drop off your vehicle.
Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts: While the law doesn’t specify an exact number, generally, if the same problem persists after four or more repair attempts, or if the vehicle is out of service for more than 30 days cumulatively, it may qualify as a “lemon.”
Monitor Symptoms: Any new burning smells, smoke, or electrical issues? Stop driving immediately and have the vehicle inspected.
Talk to a Lemon Law Attorney, like Valero Law: If repairs fail or if you experience repeated electrical issues, you may be entitled to relief under California law. Remedies can include a repurchase of the vehicle or a cash settlement.
Call Valero Law!
If you own a 2021–2023 Kia Sorento affected by the HVAC wiring harness recall, you may be entitled to a repurchase or substantial compensation under the California Lemon Law.
Kia’s recall acknowledgment and fire risk reports strengthen potential lemon law claims for owners who have faced repeated HVAC or electrical problems.
Call Valero Law, APC at (424) 299-4447 or complete our free Lemon Law case evaluation form today. All cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.