Kia Sorento Complaints (2025)

136 consumer complaints on file.

#11719642February 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Kia Connect fuse was confirmed by Gerald Kia of Naperville to cause a parasitic draw that cannot be fixed. The dealership had to remove the fuse after stating that no software update is yet available, and that numerous owners have had the issue. My car has died 7x with less than 7K miles on it and less than a year old. Bought new. They still have not put the fuse back in and Kia has refused to issue a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719353February 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sunroof spontaneously shattered while I was driving in the highway. No one was injured but glass did fly off of the vehicle and luckily the cover inside was closed so no glass got in the vehicle. There was no warning just an explosion sound. The sunroof glass was blowing outward once I was able to pull over and inspect it. The dealership did replace the sunroof and said it was covered under my warranty. I did try to contact Kia directly first and they were taking weeks to reply and eventually said they would do a good faith one time repair but I never messaged them back since my dealership took control and told me it was covered under my warranty and proceeded to order and fix it. They also had to replace the sunroof cover because they said it was also damaged from the pressure of it spontaneously shattering.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718991February 19, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
Currently at a Kia dealership for the 3rd time since the end of December. While driving the electric refuses to switch to gas after the battery drains, it is a hybrid. Maxes out at 18 mph and then an alarm goes off for Hybrid System error. First two time check engine light also came on. Have had vehicle towed to Kia dealerships all three times. Never the same thing repaired or replaced but problem stops for a few days to two weeks and then happens again. They vehicle has been examined and the issue has been replicated or examined by the Canton Kia dealership in Canton, MI two times. Currently at Taylor Kia Toledo, OH. This is a safety issue due to the lack of speed and acceleration. So far I have been in relatively low speed areas but what if it happened on the expressway or in heavy traffic. I normally have my kids in the car and now feel that my vehicle is unsafe and I have only had it 11 months.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718979February 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving on a freeway I hear a crashing sound of glass and heard loose glass above me. When I pulled over I looked to see that my sunroof shattered. There was nothing above me for something to fall from and hit my car. There was also nothing found that would have struck the glass
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718287February 16, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving the engine stops running and only runs on battery power. The only remedy that is partially successful is to stop and restart the vehicle. Problem often repeats itself and makes driving unsafe as the battery cannot fully power the engine. Upon restart the check engine light will be on and report this error: "Powertrain P112000 A possible condition with your Engine Control System has been detected. A full system check is recommended to be done when convenient. Please contact your local dealership to schedule an appointment." This is the 3rd time this has happened since December. Has been at dealership twice and they essentially just reset the error condition, only for it to happen again after a couple weeks of driving. Most recent occurrence was yesterday morning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717804February 13, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Was merging onto the San Tan L202 Freeway from the SR24 On Ramp. While accelerating to up to roughly 65mph, what sounded like a gunshot went off and it became very loud in the cabin of my car. I then noticed glass flying around the outside of my car, so I immediately pulled over onto the shoulder to see what happened. When I got out and looked up I noticed that the sunroof had completely exploded out in the center and that the glass was facing upwards. My husband came to help me take the vehicle to Horne Kia Dealership and we left it with them that day. There was no any indication of anything hitting or striking the vehicle, anything falling down onto it, or any external factors that could have contributed to the sunroof exploding.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717627February 12, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My wife was slowly pulling into a parking spot at kohls and the car lunged like the gas pedal was pressed all the way down and hit parking pole in spot . I googled to see if this was an issue reports and found information on this not actual recall but reports on this issue . Kia has done nothing with this case
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11717334February 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. I'm not sure what component or system malfunctioned. The dealership has said something different every time it's had to be taken in. The first time they said it could have been the dip stick. The second time they said they didn't know but did an update to the car's system. Last week, was the third time we've had to take it in and they said they are doing an oil change and replacing the air intake hose assy, GDI fuel pump, High pressure fuel pump, valve cover assy, oil filter and oil but didn't say if this would fix the issue. 2. We have loss confidence in this car's safety and reliability and the dealership's ability to repair it. It's been in the shop multiple times and continues to fail. The issue with the vehicle is that when we got a warning the power to the car shuts off. It doesn't allow you to do anything with the gas pedal no matter what speed you are going. We have experienced this multiple times on city streets and the highway. The potential for an accident is very high when the car does this. 3. We have taken it to the dealership and they don't know what's wrong with it. I created a case with Kia and have not heard back from a case manager at all. 4. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealership and no one else. They have contacted Kia corporate for solutions via messaging but this is the third time the car has just loss power while we are driving. 5. There were some warning signs like check hybrid batter system on the dashboard. The kia Access app allow shows diagnostic alerts like ADAS_DRV. I have attached some photos and some of the documentation we have. There have been multiple dates but I put the first date that the car broke down. Other dates include (1/28/26 and 2/6/26).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716775February 9, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the vehicle decelerated to 35 MPH. The vehicle was driven to the residence and was later towed to the local dealer. While at the dealer, the cause of the failure was not determined, and the failure had self-corrected. The vehicle was retrieved; however, approximately 1,500 miles late,r the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716361February 6, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was driving onto a busy intersection from a parking lot. When I went to pull into traffic, the truck wouldnt go, it lost power and we coasted into oncoming traffic , I coasted right , and the dash flashed limited mode max speed 20 mph in yellow lights. The peddle was on the floor at that point. We had kids in the car and it was going 17 mpr in 55 mph cars on us swerving around us. I coasted at 17 mpr downgrade 2 miles before I could get a place to pull over. I turned it off and sat for a while. Turned it back on and it had power again. We made it to the house, I towed it to KIA next day, they claim no codes went off and nothing wrong with it. Cars that lose power entering freeways without warning tells me there is something seriously wrong. No problem prior. I leased it new. It has 5000 miles. Its been at kia since mid-december 2025. I contacted corporate and they said it doesn't trigger their warranty and they are done with it. I was told to bring it back when it happens again. I wont risk my life or others with this unrepaired truck. I worry for my family and others. We could of been killed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715949February 5, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle only has 5839 miles and this is the 2nd time the battery has been dead. First time was Dec 18th 2025. Vehicle purchased 7/5/25. 2nd time 2/5/26. First time the outside lights flickered for a long time before finally going off. 2nd time the outside lights didnt flicker and key fob wont even lock the car. We took the vehicle in for service after 1st dead battery instance and they told us we must've not closed a door or left a light on which drained the battery. Will be scheduling another service so they can fix the issue. There were no messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the failures. I am requesting that NHTSA document this as a potential electrical system safety defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715726February 4, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident #1: Car suddenly and without warning had complete loss of power, with gas engine shutting off and only using battery power. Car was traveling at 45mph in morning traffic. Pedal was pushed to the floor, but car would only go a maximum of 20mph. Warning dash lights then appeared saying "Hybrid Malfunction/Pull Over Immediately/Turn off car". I was able to pull off road and turn off car and then turn back on. Car ran normally the 2 miles back home. Incident #2: 2 days later, while driving my kids to school the car again, suddenly and without warning had complete loss of power, with gas engine shutting off and only using battery power. Again, warning dash lights: "Check Hybrid System. Stop Safely!". I did so and car ran normally back to my house (distance approx: 2.5 miles). I immediately called KIA of Beaverton and they said to have it towed right away. Once at dealer, they were unable to diagnose any issues and said that no codes showed up, but also said that the car "deleted codes". Car was in shop for 2 days and determined "car operates as designed." I picked up the car. Incident #3: 7 days later, with kids in the car, again car had complete power loss with no warning. Warning lights again told of "Check Hybrid System. Stop Safely!" Pulled over (in heavy Friday rush hour traffic) and turned off car. Turned on again, but this time car drove for less than a quarter mile before complete power loss happened again with all warning lights. This time we took video of the car not having power, all the warning lights etc. as evidence. We turned off the car and upon turning it on, it instantly had no power. We pulled car over and had to park it that night at a local business for towing. Car was towed again to Beaverton KIA. Again, dealer said they were not able to replicate problem after driving 250 miles on it. Insisted we pick up car, despite numerous comm's saying how unsafe we felt taking it. Dealer claimed KIA told them to remove .5 Qt of oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713723January 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Was driving home from work, and suddenly all the indicator lights came on on the dash, (check engine, warring lights, indicator that the battery was critically low, etc etc.) the car notified me to safely pull off the road. I pulled off the road in limp mode, the engine would not engage when pedal was pressed, and then lost power. I was stuck in the middle of the lane on a side road in park. I turned the car off, then turned it back on and let it idle for a bit thinking it may be the battery (which is new). After several minutes drove it home and have not had any other issues. I researched this issue on the internet and there were reported similar problems exactly like this. Note. I put it on a reader at home and it did not show any codes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712750January 22, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
While driving, have had the engine of my 25 Sorento Hybrid stop working. An emergency notice comes on the screen (see photo) stating to pull over safely. The hybrid system error message has come on 4-5 times in the last month. The vehicle will not drive more than 15-20 miles per hour and has virtually no acceleration making it very dangerous to drive in or around high speed/traffic areas. Took it to a local Kia dealership where I was told nothing was wrong and their only guess was that it was related to the battery and cold weather. The same messaged/incident has happened 2x since bringing it into the dealership. With the most recent being 1/22/26. Problem first arose on 1/9/26. There are dozens of reports of this in online threads over the past few months with Kia hybrid engines
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711028January 14, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
Driver attention warning light coming on frequently for no reason, is distracting for driver and will cause and accident, today we almost hit a horse and buggy
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710120January 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The DCT transmission causes significant hesitation at slow speeds or starting from a stop. This often leaves the driver and it’s occupants in a vulnerable position if the car hesitates when trying to navigate through traffic. I have taken it to the dealership and they stated that nothing is wrong with it, However, in reviewing online forums, it is obviously a significant concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709732January 8, 2026
AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Hit a deer going 80, airbags did not deploy and car did not attempt to brake
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11709405January 7, 2026
ENGINE
My wife first drove the vehicle and started noticing intense fumes entering the cabin which required rolling down the windows. There were no alerts from the car at this time or engine lights. We checked to see if the exhaust got plugged and it was not. I later drove the car that same day and it would not accelerate when I tried to right turn onto a main road. The check engine light then popped on and loud alerting from the vehicle cause me to have to pull over and shut the vehicle off. We had it towed by the dealer and the last thing we heard was that gas and oil had leaked together and it would take 5 days to get the part to fix it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708773January 5, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
Will be driving when it switches to EV mode it will have no power and go into limp mode. Can't go over 30 mph. This is now the second time this has happened. Dealership tried to say it was because of temperature. Come on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708206January 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
This incident started within the first 100 miles of ownership. The dealership hasn’t been able to recreate the incident. I put my 2025 Kia Sorento in the “automatic” drive position. I start driving and my transmission won’t shift gears. I looked down at my dashboard and it shows the vehicle is in “manual” drive gear 1. I look at my gear shift and it shows the vehicle is in “automatic” drive position. If I push the vehicle to its redline or approximately 5000 RPM’s the vehicle shifts and dashboard changes from “1” to “D”. In summary my transmission is malfunctioning and shifting intermittently on its own from automatic to manual drive and the gear shifter is always in the automatic shift position. This happens several times a month. I video taped the incident because the dealership didn’t believe me when I told them this keeps happening.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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