NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Kia recall: A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss

Recall published 1+ years ago

A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

The hazard: Visibility or lighting defect

The recall concerns equipment that determines what the driver can see, or what other road users can see of the vehicle.

What the notice says: A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Why it matters: Lights, wipers, mirrors, the rear camera, the windshield or the instrument display may not work as required. These faults reduce what the driver can see, or what other road users can see of the vehicle.

Recall details

Recall number
25V006000
Published
January 13, 2025
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Kia
Product type
Electrical System
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Kia Sorento · Kia Sorento Hybrid
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 25V006000

Products covered by this recall

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 3 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Sorento
  • Sorento Hybrid
  • and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Visibility

Kia — The recall concerns equipment that determines what the driver can see, or what other road users can see of the vehicle.

  1. Check the specific item the notice names — a reversing camera or a dashboard display that works intermittently still counts as a defect.
  2. Until it is repaired, rely on mirrors and a physical look over your shoulder rather than the camera, and keep headlights on in poor light.
  3. If an instrument cluster goes blank, note when it happens; that detail helps the dealer reproduce the fault.
  4. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.

What the recall repair costs you

Nothing, and that is a legal obligation rather than a goodwill gesture. The question worth asking is what else is covered.

  • Recall work is free for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, no age limit for the current owner, and no requirement that you bought the car from that dealer.
  • If you already paid an independent garage for the same fix, submit the invoice to the manufacturer under their reimbursement plan.
  • Get the closed campaign noted on your service record. Buyers and insurers both check.
  • Ask about a loaner or rental when you book, not when you arrive. On a parts-delayed campaign it is frequently available and almost never volunteered.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.

Company contact: Kia America, Inc.

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Kia electrical system recalled?

A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle… A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Check the specific item the notice names — a reversing camera or a dashboard display that works intermittently still counts as a defect.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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