2020-2022 Kia Sportage Parasitic Battery Draw Warning
Kia has issued Pitstop PS733 for 2020-2022 Sportage models regarding parasitic battery draw and alarm warnings. This issue is linked to the illuminated door sill plates accessory, leading to battery drain or unexpected alarm activation.

Also applies to
- Kia Sportage
- 2022
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
- What causes parasitic battery draw in 2020-2022 Kia Sportage?
- The parasitic battery draw in 2020-2022 Kia Sportage vehicles is often caused by the illuminated door sill plates accessory, which can lead to unexpected battery drain or alarm activation.
- How can I tell if my Kia Sportage has this parasitic battery draw issue?
- You might notice your battery draining more quickly than usual, or the alarm system/horn warning to sound off without any apparent reason. These are key indicators of the Kia Sportage parasitic battery draw problem.
- What is the fix for the Kia Sportage parasitic battery draw?
- The repair involves inspecting the illuminated door sill plates, disconnecting them to confirm the parasitic draw disappears, checking for water intrusion, and replacing the plates only if they are defective or damaged. Always ensure to disconnect the battery before electrical work and initialize systems afterward.
- Is there a specific bulletin for the Kia Sportage parasitic battery draw?
- Yes, Kia has issued Pitstop PS733 to address the parasitic battery draw and alarm warning concerns related to the illuminated door sill plates accessory in 2020-2022 Kia Sportage (QL) models.
- What is the part number associated with the illuminated door sill plates?
- The illuminated door sill plates are referenced in Kia's documentation with the part number D9F45 ACOOO, as detailed in the 'Illuminated Door Sill Plates (D9F45 ACOOO) Isheet' on KGIS.
What Kia Sportage owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 32 model years.
- 4,907
- Owner complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 679
- Service bulletins
- 322
- Crashes reported
- 208
- Fires reported
- 274
- Injuries reported
The 2021 model year
54 complaints, the 27th most of 32 model years on file. Owners reported 3 crashes, 7 fires and 4 injuries for this year, which also has 2 recalls on file.
Electrical System, the system this article covers, accounts for 687 of 4,907 complaints (14%), including 6 for 2021.
Complaints by model year
| 1998 | 303 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 284 | |
| 2000 | 304 | |
| 2001 | 228 | |
| 2002 | 234 | |
| 2012 | 392 | |
| 2013 | 381 | |
| 2017 | 404 | |
| 2021 | 54 | |
| 2023 | 310 |
Most-reported systems
- Engine — 1,558
- Electrical System — 687
- Service Brakes — 613
- Power Train — 481
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 477
Latest recalls for the 2021 model year
- 22V703000 — Trailer Hitches (Sep 2022) — Park outside
- 21V137000 — Service Brakes, Hydraulic (Mar 2021) — Park outside
Recent owner reports about electrical system
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while parked on several occasions, a "Battery Discharge Warning" message was displayed, which disappeared once the vehicle was driven.
Read owner complaints →The car alarm keeps going off randomly and from googling it. Several people have reported an issue with the 2021 Kia Sportage it’s a known issue.
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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