Recall 26V046 covers 42,677 2025-2026 Kia K4, Sorento, Sportage, K5, EV9, and Carnival vehicles for instrument panel display failure. Free OTA or Kia dealer update.
Kia is recalling 42,677 2025-2026 K4, Sorento, Sportage, K5, EV9, and Carnival vehicles because a software error can make the instrument panel display fail. A blank display removes speedometer, tire pressure, and warning-light information, which increases crash risk; Kia dealers will update the software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The instrument cluster in these 2025-2026 Kia vehicles is the screen and control unit behind the driver display. It shows core information the driver relies on, including vehicle displays and tire pressure monitoring alerts required by federal safety standards. The cluster unit uses software and a power management circuit to keep that display running.
On affected K4, Sorento, Sportage, K5, EV9, and Carnival models, excessive signal noise from the cluster's power management circuit can trigger the unit's overheat protection mode when it does not need to activate. When that happens, the instrument panel display can fail. Kia's repair uses updated cluster software that reduces the signal noise and keeps the protection mode from shutting the display down unnecessarily.
There is no warning sign before failure. The screen can go out without a prior message, light, or change in how the vehicle drives.
Who's affected?
The scope crosses 2025 and 2026 Kia models that use the same instrument-panel cluster; VINs became searchable on February 9, 2026.
| 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV | instrument panel |
|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Sorento PHEV | instrument panel |
| 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV | instrument panel |
| 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid | instrument panel |
| 2026 Kia Sportage | instrument panel |
| 2026 Kia K5 | instrument panel |
| 2026 Kia EV9 | instrument panel |
| 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid | instrument panel |
| 2026 Kia Carnival | instrument panel |
| 2026 Kia Sorento Hybrid | instrument panel |
| 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid | instrument panel |
| 2026 Kia Sorento | instrument panel |
| 2025 Kia Sorento | instrument panel |
| 2025 Kia K4 | instrument panel |
| Units affected | 42,677 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An instrument panel display failure can hide the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the display failure. Drive cautiously, confirm whether your VIN is included, and schedule the software update soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025-2026 Kia Sportage PHEV, Sorento PHEV, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage, K5, EV9, Carnival Hybrid, Carnival, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento, or K4 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free instrument panel display software update that fixes the display failure that can hide the speedometer, tire pressure, and warning lights.
- Ask whether the update is available over the air for your vehicle or needs a dealer visit.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V046 and Kia recall SC361 when you call.
- Drive with extra caution until the update is complete, and arrange service right away if the instrument panel display goes blank.
What happens at the repair
The instrument panel display software update is free under recall 26V046. The update can be delivered over the air or completed at a Kia dealer. If the vehicle needs dealer service, a Kia technician installs the updated instrument panel display software and confirms the display works after the update. Kia uses its standard reimbursement plan for documented out of pocket repairs tied to this issue. If you already paid for a related software or instrument panel display repair, bring receipts or repair invoices to the service desk and ask how to submit them to Kia.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 26, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 27, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| January 27, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 27, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 9, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 13, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V046?
Recall 26V046 covers 42,677 2025-2026 Kia K4, Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento PHEV, Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. A software error can make the instrument panel display fail, hiding speed, tire pressure, or warning lights and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2025-2026 Kia K4, Sorento, Sportage, K5, EV9, or Carnival is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V046. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall SC361. Kia will update the instrument panel display software over the air or through a dealer at no charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Kia to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 26V046, Kia will provide the instrument panel display software update free of charge, either over the air or through a franchised Kia dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of critical instrument panel information. If the display fails, the driver can lose speedometer, tire pressure, or warning-light information, increasing crash risk. The remedy is a free software update from Kia for vehicles included by VIN.
What if I bought this Kia used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Kia is included, then contact a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall SC361 when you schedule the software update.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V046000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V046 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V046000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →