Kia LCD Display Blank On Startup

Some 2023 Kia vehicles equipped with digital instrument clusters containing 4.2" LCD screens could experience a blank LCD screen upon startup. Owners will need to get the instrument cluster software updated, or important information such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights may not be displayed. Because of this, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for controls and displays.

Kia became aware of the problem in February 2023 when Kia HQ provides preliminary information to Kia North America Safety Office of potential blank 4.2” LCD cluster issues affecting the 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-In Hybrid, Soul and Telluride vehicles in the U.S. Market. A preliminary data analysis identified 71 incidents of the blank cluster issue and Kia decided to issue a recall.

According to the defect report, the instrument cluster software installed in the subject vehicles, in combination with electrical noise due to voltage instability while the vehicle is starting, may result in a cluster booting error. This booting error can cause the instrument cluster screen to become blank, resulting in the driver's inability to see any warning lights and indicators. As a result, the subject vehicles fail to comply with the visibility and illumination requirements of FMVSS Controls and Displays, FMVSS Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems and FMVSS Occupant Crash Protection. The failure to illuminate certain telltales and indicators may increase the risk of a crash.

The vehicles affected include:

Owners will be asked to return to their dealers to get the instrument cluster software updated. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Kia's number for this recall is SC270 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-298.