Kia Sorento Complaints

10,397 consumer complaints on file.

#11757873August 19, 2026
AIR BAGS
Steering wheel airbag failed to inflate
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11757893August 19, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes failed; they felt spongy, as if my foot were pressing directly against the road. The car accelerated and I headed toward a wall; the sensors didn't stop the vehicle. It came to a halt against the wall after the impact. I was on my way to the repair shop for a scheduled appointment due to electrical problems.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757876August 19, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The transmission pump on my transmission just went out randomly last week. The power in my car went into limp mode and the car won't drive properly now. The car was being driven at the time this happened, and my husband had to pull over, as the car wouldn't work. I had this looked at by an auto body shop and they diagnosed it with this, which is to be found that there is a recall on my specific year and model of car for this issue as well. For about a month prior, we had noticed a few "stutters" when driving the car. After I hit 100k miles on the car, it was doing it almost daily.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757589August 18, 2026
ENGINE
My 2020 Kia Sorento stalled and shut off while driving and eventually stopped working completely, requiring it to be towed to a Kia dealership. The dealership first replaced the starter and then the high-pressure fuel pump, but the vehicle still would not operate. After further diagnosis, I was informed that the timing chain had failed/broken and the engine needed to be replaced, with a new engine quoted at approximately $12,000. I am concerned that this type of sudden engine failure and shutdown could create a serious safety hazard, especially if it occurs while driving in traffic or at highway speeds. I am requesting that NHTSA document and review this incident for similar failures involving 2020 Kia Sorento vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757795August 18, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on the car is peeling off down to the metal of the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757346August 17, 2026
ENGINE
This report concerns a repeating loss of power in the 2025 Kia Sorrento-Hybrid that forces the engine into "limp-mode". This issue has occurred when traveling at speeds exceeding 55mph on highway as well as when accelerating to merge into traffic. The vehicle does not flash any warning lights on the dashboard and shuts down in the middle of traffic which presents a serious safety issue for oncoming traffic as the vehicle must coast to the side of the road. This has occurred multiple times and twice I have had the vehicle towed to the dealership. Initially a fuel pressure sensor was replaced and the second time the dealership indicated they could not find any relatable cause. Since that time there have been two additional occurances that I have had. I believe the issues are related to either a fuel pressure sensor or a sudden loss of power within the EV system that causes the vehicle to protect itself by enetering into the limp-mode. I have discovered a short term resolution is to disconnect the 12-V battery and let the car sit for 30 minutes to clear the system codes, but sitting on a busy roadway and the loss of power at speed is a serious safety issue. I have spoken to other owners who have experienced similar issues so this appears to be a wider spread issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757485August 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift gear as intended, and the RPM was extremely elevated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact pulled over, and the message "Possible Condition with the Transmission Control System Detected - Press SOS for Roadside Assistance" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757326August 16, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The dashboard has a screen display. I couldn’t see my fuel tank information. Every time I would use my turn signal a large green circle would take over the screen. Followed by loss of the screen, meaning no speedometer, rpm, etc. As the problem continued the speedometer started displaying incorrect numbers. Saying I was going 70 miles an hour when I was actually going about 55. Gage for fuel and heat (notifying if car is overheating, was lost for the entirety of my drive).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757165August 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On August 15, 2026, while operating my 2021 Kia Sorento, the transmission warning light came on and the vehicle displayed the following warning on the infotainment screen: “A possible condition with your Transmission Control System has been detected. Please press the SOS button on the rear view mirror or roof console for Roadside Assistance.” At the time of the malfunction, my vehicle would not properly switch gears. The transmission appeared to become stuck and would not shift as expected. This created a serious safety concern because I could not rely on the vehicle to change gears or respond normally while driving. The component/system that appears to have malfunctioned is the transmission and/or Transmission Control System/Transmission Control Module (TCM). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem first occurred on August 15, 2026. Prior to this occurrence, I had not received this specific transmission control system warning. When the problem occurred, the transmission warning light illuminated and the vehicle displayed the transmission control system diagnostic message described above. As of the filing of this complaint, the vehicle has not yet been inspected or diagnosed by a Kia dealership or independent repair facility. I have photographs documenting the warning message that appeared on the vehicle's display. I am concerned about the safety of continuing to operate this vehicle because an unexpected inability of the transmission to shift gears could cause a loss of acceleration, an inability to maintain appropriate speed, or an inability to safely maneuver the vehicle in traffic. I am also requesting that NHTSA review whether this failure is related to any existing recalls, investigations, technical service campaigns, or known transmission/Transmission Control Module issues affecting the 2021 Kia Sorento, including vehicles equipped with the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756972August 14, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicle: 2016 Kia Sorento EX VIN: [XXX] Current Mileage: Approximately 67,000 Component: Paint/Body (Exterior Finish) My 2016 Kia Sorento (Snow White Pearl / Pearl White) has developed premature, multi-panel paint failure. Flaking began appearing on the roof rail area above the front doors in late summer 2025, followed by flaking on the hood, and later bubbling on the rear driver-side door. Flakes recovered from the ground beneath the vehicle have consistently been approximately the size of a 50-cent piece. At the manufacturer's request, three independent, licensed California collision repair facilities inspected the vehicle. All three independently identified a paint adhesion or chemical bonding failure, not ordinary wear. One shop's written estimate states verbatim that "the sealer did not chemically bond when basecoat was applied." Another states it cannot warranty a repair unless affected panels are stripped to bare metal and fully refinished. Repair estimates to properly address the condition range from approximately $9,000 to $17,000. Kia has already acknowledged this as a defect meriting manufacturer assistance, having extended a goodwill offer covering partial repainting costs. I am filing this report to document a paint system manufacturing defect, consistent with a pattern reported by other Kia Sorento owners and referenced in at least one prior Kia service bulletin (SA166) addressing paint peeling on Sorento door panels. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756660August 13, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost drive power. The vehicle decelerated and was coasted over to the side of the road. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel while the vehicle was decelerating. While on the side of the road, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the message "Hybrid Power Control Unit" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed because the dealer was unable to reproduce the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while the dealer was attempting to duplicate the failure, the vehicle was not being driven at highway speeds like when the failure had occurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756669August 13, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vehicle flashes Auto Start Stop icon on the dashboard, which is not commonplace. When this occurs, the vehicle can not accelerate when the accelerator is actuated. The vehicle can not accelerate past 40mph and the RPM is sporadic. This happens randomly and can not be diagnosed by the dealership. Multiple dealerships have tried and none can duplicate this issue. This is a severe safety concern and seems to be common all over multiple forums.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756222August 11, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
2015 KIA Sorento v6 engine failed and seized. VIN was not included in KIA extended warranty offered for this year and engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756302August 11, 2026
AIR BAGS
Driver Airbag light is illuminated
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756329August 11, 2026
PARKING BRAKE, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Hold feature activated, and the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and DTCs U0164, U0123, U01B0, and U1131 were retrieved. The independent mechanic stated that the battery needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic also informed the contact of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was repaired; however, the warning lights illuminated, and the failure persisted. Additionally, the parking brake warning light was illuminated. In addition, the air conditioning system was leaking refrigerant and intermittently was blowing out hot air. The A/C started blowing colder air minutes later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756297August 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
While driving, the dashboard lit up with warnings about forward collision, lane departure, lane keeping assistance, breaks, speed etc. that keep cycling through with alarm sounds on the dashboard. I have brought my car to the dealership few times and they reprogram the car but the issue keeps coming back randomly. Seems like a loose connection somewhere. I am afraid of driving when it happens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756282August 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I believe my car should be in the ac recall for faulty ac motor/wire harness due to my ac is only cooling on passenger side. Blowing hot on driver. I’m afraid it may catch fire as I read this can happen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756015August 10, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN
My car will randomly go into limp mode and I am unable to accelerate. The auto stop/start light will flash orange on the dashboard. I need to pull over and restart car and it seems to reset. I see there is a recall for a 2021 KIA Sorrento but I don't think it affected my vehicle even though the issue is exactly the same. Recall #22V6000. It happened once a few months ago then didn't reoccur until about two weeks ago and it has happened three times since. It is scary because I am afraid to cross traffic in fear that the car won't move fast enough
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755773August 9, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My rear windshield exploded out when back door was closed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755646August 8, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am writing to report a safety concern with my 2025 Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid. On multiple occasions, after starting the vehicle, the instrument panel appears normal, but the vehicle does not enter the ready state. The ready indicator does not illuminate and the vehicle will not shift into drive or reverse. The vehicle will however, unfortunately, shift into neutral and roll, but with no power. The only way to restore normal operation is to completely turn the vehicle off and restart it. This intermittent condition creates a safety concern because it can leave the vehicle unexpectedly immobilized, with no power, and allow the vehicle to move/roll with no control. I respectfully request that Kia investigate this issue for a possible software or hybrid control defect. Please document my report and inform me of any software updates, improvements or service recalls.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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