NHTSA recall 18V656000
A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.
| Published by | NHTSA (United States) |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | 18V656000 |
| Manufacturer's number | SC167 |
| Manufacturer | Kia Motors America |
| Reported | 2018-09-21 |
| Owners notified | 2018-10-26 |
| Component | STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:COLUMN |
| Units potentially affected | 97 |
| Report | Quarterly report 6, for 2020 quarter 1 |
|---|---|
| Filed with NHTSA | 2020-05-11 |
| Vehicles in the campaign | 97 |
| Reported remedied | 87 (89%) |
| Reported unreachable | 0 |
| Reported removed | 0 |
These are the manufacturer's totals for the whole campaign at the end of 2020 quarter 1, as filed with NHTSA. They do not say whether one vehicle has been remedied: check the VIN with the official lookups. The reports are from data as of 2026-10-19.
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
What can happen
If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
| 2018 KIA SORENTO | Built 2017-06-28 to 2017-07-20. |
|---|
A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.
Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
| TSBCHA060_R5 | 2019-08-07. Service bulletin. TSB: ECU UPGRADE - STEERING LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information related to the MDPS ECU software upgrade for some 2012-2014MY Optima (QF), produced from August 2, 2010 through July 27, 2014, and 2016-2018MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles, produced from October 27, 2014 through August 22, 2017, which may experience a notchy feel in the steering wheel. To correct this condition, the vehicle should be evaluated using the MDPS Effort Measurement Software detailed in the repair procedure starting on page 2 to determine whether an improved steering logic should be installed in the MDPS ECU, or if the Steering Column and Housing Assembly replacement is required. |
|---|---|
| TSBCHA084_R2 | 2019-07-04. Service bulletin. TSB: REPLACEMENT OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or Steering Column Housing on the Kia models listed on the chart below with a column mounted C-MDPS unit. |
| PS547 | 2018-04-16. Service bulletin. PITSTOP - EPS RECOGNTION / SAS CALIBRATION OF C-MDPS STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY - This Pitstop provides information regarding the Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) calibration and EPS type recognition after replacement of the Column-Mounted, Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) assembly on 2016-2018MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles. |
A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.