Kia Recalls Over 42,000 Vehicles for Instrument Panel Display Failure

Source: NHTSA · United States

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Kia America is recalling approximately 42,677 vehicles across several 2025 and 2026 models due to a software error that can cause the instrument panel display to fail.

What this NHTSA vehicle recall tells you, and what most readers miss

This notice was issued by NHTSA on February 11, 2026 and geographically references United States. Its severity classification of "high" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken — "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to — Vehicle Recalls — determines the regulatory framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, recalls, evacuations) are available to affected individuals and who holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.

Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to read it as a data point about the issuing system: how quickly NHTSA detected the hazard, how precise the geographic or product-identifier scope is, and whether similar notices have clustered in the same category or region in the last 90 days. Cluster patterns frequently precede a broader regulatory action — a single localized NHTSA vehicle recall is isolated; three of them within a quarter often indicate a supply-chain, infrastructure, or seasonal driver that will keep producing notices until something structural changes.

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What Happened

Kia America, Inc. has initiated a recall for several 2025 and 2026 vehicle models due to a software error that may cause the instrument panel display to fail. This malfunction prevents the display of critical safety information, resulting in non-compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

Which Products Are Affected

The recall affects approximately 42,677 units. The following models and years are included:

  • 2025 Kia K4
  • 2025-2026 Kia Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV)
  • 2026 Kia Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, and Sportage PHEV
  • 2026 Kia K5
  • 2026 Kia EV9
  • 2026 Kia Carnival and Carnival Hybrid

What You Should Do

Kia will provide a software update for the instrument panel display free of charge. This update can be performed over-the-air (OTA) or by a Kia dealer. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by March 26, 2026.

Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542 and reference recall number SC361. Additionally, Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on the NHTSA website starting February 9, 2026.

Why This Matters

An instrument panel that fails to display essential information such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights significantly increases the risk of a crash.

Source

Information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under Campaign Number 26V046000.

Original source: NHTSA Official Notice ↗

All Vehicle Recalls →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NHTSA vehicle recall.

What is this NHTSA vehicle recall about?
Kia America is recalling approximately 42,677 vehicles across several 2025 and 2026 models due to a software error that can cause the instrument panel display to fail.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NHTSA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects United States. Check with NHTSA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Vehicle Recalls updates?
Browse the full Vehicle Recalls feed on Areazine at areazine.com/recalls/vehicles/ for the latest updates from NHTSA and other agencies.