Recall 15V089 affects 12,361 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles for an accelerator pedal defect that can prevent acceleration. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 12,361 2016 Sorento SUVs under recall 15V089 because an improperly soldered accelerator pedal component can prevent the vehicle from accelerating. Loss of acceleration raises the risk of a crash, and Kia dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The accelerator pedal assembly in a 2016 Kia Sorento converts the movement of your foot into an electronic signal for the engine control system. The pedal is a hinge and spring, and it also contains a small circuit board that tells the vehicle how much throttle the driver is requesting.
On affected Sorentos, a capacitor on that circuit board was not soldered correctly by the supplier. A capacitor is a small electronic part that helps the circuit handle electrical signals steadily. When the solder connection fails, the pedal signal is interrupted and the vehicle enters forced idle mode. In that condition, pressing the accelerator does not produce normal acceleration.
The warning signs are a check engine light or an electronic stability control indicator light. If either light appears and the Sorento stops responding normally to the accelerator pedal, the pedal assembly is the part the dealer needs to inspect and replace.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Kia Sorento | Accelerator pedal |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12,361 |
Not every 2016 Kia Sorento is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the accelerator stops responding, the Sorento loses the ability to accelerate, increasing the risk of a crash. A check engine light or electronic stability control indicator light can appear before the problem. If either light comes on, slow down, move out of traffic, and call a Kia dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Kia Sorento is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free accelerator-pedal assembly replacement that fixes the failure to accelerate.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V089 when you call.
- Use extra caution before the repair because the Sorento can fail to accelerate when you need power.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician replaces the accelerator pedal assembly covered by this recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. If you've already paid out of pocket for this accelerator assembly repair, Kia's General Reimbursement Plan covers repair expenses already incurred. Bring repair receipts and related service paperwork to the Kia service desk, or contact Kia customer service and ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 11, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| February 11, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 13, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| February 18, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 20, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V089?
Recall 15V089 covers 12,361 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles with an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly. The defect can prevent the driver from accelerating, increasing crash risk. Kia dealers replace the accelerator assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Kia Sorento is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sorento is included in recall 15V089. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer and schedule the accelerator assembly replacement. Reference recall number 15V089 and Kia recall number SC115 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Kia dealers replace the accelerator assembly free of charge. The repair campaign began on February 19, 2015, so the dealer remedy is available now.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V089?
The safety risk is loss of acceleration. Under recall 15V089, an improperly soldered component in the accelerator pedal assembly can stop the vehicle from accelerating when the driver presses the pedal. If the vehicle cannot accelerate, crash risk increases.
What if I bought my Kia Sorento used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Sorento is included, then call a franchised Kia dealer with recall number 15V089 or Kia recall number SC115.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V089000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V089 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V089000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →