2020-2022 Kia Sportage Parasitic Battery Draw Warning

Kia has released Pitstop PS733 concerning a parasitic battery draw issue affecting 2020-2022 Kia Sportage (QL) vehicles. This technical bulletin provides guidance for technicians to diagnose and resolve conditions related to the illuminated door sill plates accessory. Owners experiencing issues such as unexpected battery drain or alarm activation should be aware of this bulletin.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2020-2022 Kia Sportage vehicles may experience:

• Battery power to drain unexpectedly, leading to a dead battery.
• The alarm system/horn warning to sound off without apparent cause, which can be disruptive and indicate an electrical fault.

These symptoms are linked to an electrical draw caused by the illuminated door sill plates accessory installed on both the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of the vehicle.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The Kia Sportage parasitic battery draw is specifically associated with the illuminated door sill plates accessory. Technicians are instructed to perform a thorough inspection of these components.

Initially, the illuminated door sill plates must be inspected to confirm they are correctly installed and functioning. If the issue is intermittent, a detailed check for water intrusion into the sill plates is crucial, as moisture can cause unpredictable electrical problems and lead to a parasitic draw.

Repair Procedure Summary

The diagnostic and repair process for the 2020-2022 Kia Sportage parasitic battery draw involves several key steps for technicians:

1. Initial Inspection: Technicians should visually inspect the illuminated door sill plates to ensure they are properly installed and operating as designed. This confirms the accessory itself is not obviously damaged or loose.
2. Parasitic Draw Verification: To determine if the door sill plates are the source of the parasitic draw, both the left-hand and right-hand door sill plates should be disconnected. After disconnection, the vehicle's electrical system is re-evaluated to verify if the parasitic draw is no longer present.
3. Water Intrusion Check: If the battery drain or alarm warning conditions are intermittent, technicians must inspect the sill plates for any evidence of water intrusion. Water damage can cause electrical shorts or continuous current draw. If water intrusion is confirmed, replacement of the affected sill plate(s) may be necessary. For detailed information on this, technicians should refer to the