Kia Sorento Complaints (2022)

185 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#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
#11751892July 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electric oil pump circuit board for the transmission failed, causing motive power loss. The vehicle is currently located at Ourisman Chantilly Kia and is available for inspection. Safety was compromised due to sudden loss of drive power while operating on public roads, creating a severe crash hazard. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by Ourisman Chantilly Kia service department, which retrieved active Diagnostic Trouble Code P1C2D03. The vehicle was inspected by the Kia dealership service department. Prior to failure, check engine/warning lights illuminated and transmission drive symptoms appeared. This vehicle is subject to Recall SC250. A software update was performed under a previous owner, but the physical component failed. Kia is refusing replacement because the recall was marked "closed" after the software patch, leaving a known unaddressed safety defect active on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751821July 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to drive; however, the transmission failed to engage as intended. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle unexpectedly rolled backwards. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The failure was a persistent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743350June 10, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2022 Kia Sorento failed to increase speed when accelerator was depressed , engine RPMs increased, but no subsequent speed increase. The Amber ISG light was flashing, with no other warning lights. The car was driven to a safe pull out, placed in park, turned off and restarted, no flashing light. The car accelerated satisfactorily afterwards. This has happened several times in the last two years. Both fuel pumps were replaced as well as the battery and computer systems were reset and the problem still intermittently persists. This is a significant safety issue if the car cannot properly accelerate when required to merge into traffic and properly maintain designated speed. Was told that Kia engineering said this maybe a heat related issue, the car is operated mainly the the southwestern US, Phoenix, Az metropolitan area.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743009June 9, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Idle stop and go system randomly auto disabled on start, unable to enable. Causes vehicle to be unable to accelerate faster than 25mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742570June 7, 2026
POWER TRAIN
At stop lights trying to excel it stales for a couple of seconds then resumes. Does this on and off all day because I drive for a living. Finally the check engine light is on and now have to replace the whole turbo because it’s failing. I just got the car mid march of 2026. I have kids and scared to drive around and the car fail on me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742498June 6, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am writing to report a recurring issue with the center navigation and infotainment screen in my 2022 Kia Sorento. The screen periodically goes completely black while I am driving. Occasionally, the display glitches before failing, while at other times, it goes dark without any warning. This is particularly concerning when I am relying on the navigation system for directions. I have previously taken the vehicle to the dealer, but they were unable to replicate the issue and therefore have not yet performed a repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741207June 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Auto Start-Stop System light came on flashing while driving. Vehicle wouldn’t accelerate while in heavy traffic. Pulled over to the shoulder and turned vehicle off. Attempted to start vehicle again and would not start. Had to get the vehicle towed. Positive battery post is loose and screw is tightened as much as possible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737579May 13, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I own a 2022 Kia Sorento that was manufactured on January 13, 2022. My vehicle experienced a failure involving the electronic oil pump within the transmission system. While driving, a transmission error message appeared prior to the failure. Shortly after, the vehicle unexpectedly entered a limited-mobility condition and significantly slowed down, operating only at a reduced speed. This created a hazardous situation, as I was unable to maintain normal traffic flow, increasing the risk to myself and other drivers. The issue has been diagnosed and confirmed by a service center as a malfunction of the electronic transmission oil pump. I am aware that Kia Motors has issued a recall for certain 2021–2022 Sorento and 2021–2023 K5 vehicles related to a defect where the fail-safe limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired due to a transmission oil pump malfunction, potentially resulting in a complete loss of drive power. Although my vehicle appears to have been manufactured during the same timeframe as the affected vehicles, it has not been included in the recall. The failure I experienced is consistent with the conditions described in that recall. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives, but the issue has been confirmed by a service center and the component should be available for inspection upon request. Given the safety risk and similarity to the recalled defect, I believe this issue warrants further investigation and potential inclusion of my vehicle in the recall population.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736537May 8, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my 2022 Kia Sorento, which is experiencing a dangerous and recurring loss of engine power during acceleration. This issue presents a significant safety hazard, particularly during situations requiring immediate acceleration such as highway merging, crossing intersections, and passing traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736463May 8, 2026
STEERING
The vehicle began making a clicking/popping sound when turning the steering wheel left or right, especially at lower speeds and while turning into parking spaces or driveways. The exact component causing the issue has not yet been fully identified, but it may involve the steering or suspension system (such as the CV axle, tie rods, or steering components). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem puts my safety and the safety of others at risk because the clicking noise may indicate a failing steering or suspension component, which could potentially affect steering control or vehicle handling while driving. The problem has not yet been officially confirmed by a dealer/manufacturer, but the issue is consistently reproducible whenever the steering wheel is turned left or right. The vehicle/component has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. There were no warning lights or dashboard messages prior to the issue. The clicking noise first appeared while turning the steering wheel during normal driving and has continued since then.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735234May 1, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Rear passenger taillight assembly, specifically the turn signal light failed. Currently unable to utilize the right signal light when turning causing a safety issue for others. This taillight assembly is a sealed unit with LED lights that cannot be replaced. To fix you must purchase a new taillight assembly. These are very costly $790 from the dealer. This is an exorbitant expense for most people and will delay the consumer from replacing this assembly. Due to this exorbitant expense this is a safety hazard that I believe the manufacturer, KIA, should implement a recall and make this taillight assembly with easy to replace inexpensive light components so customers can easily afford and replace bulbs quickly and limit safety issues and prevent accidents
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734731April 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
on my way home Friday evening from work. After exiting the expressway , I made a right turn on the street going towards my house. My steering wheel locked to the right and almost caused me to run into another car. If I had not be driving slow than the speed limit or still on the expressway, this would have been a very bad accident, if not fatal! This is after the dealership made repairs on my vehicle and deemed it safe to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732433April 20, 2026
SEATS
The driver’s seat frame and adjustment mechanism failed. The seat broke off from the frame, resulting in the seat only being able to move left and right, with no ability to adjust forward/backward or recline. The dealership confirmed a seat frame malfunction and addressed the issue. My safety was put at risk because I was unable to properly adjust the driver’s seat to a safe driving position. Without proper positioning, I could not safely reach the pedals or maintain appropriate control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of losing control or being unable to react quickly in traffic. The dealership confirmed the seat frame malfunction and performed repairs to address the issue. No warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms were present before the failure. The issue occurred suddenly without warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732432April 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The transmission and related drivetrain components malfunctioned. While driving, the vehicle’s RPMs would surge into the 5,000–6,000 range without corresponding acceleration, and the vehicle would not shift properly into the next gear. The issue caused poor acceleration and inconsistent performance. The dealership later replaced the transmission and updated the ECM after identifying a fault code. My family’s safety and the safety of others were put at risk due to the vehicle’s inability to properly accelerate. The engine would rev excessively without increasing speed, making it difficult to merge, cross traffic, or respond to driving conditions. This created a dangerous situation where the vehicle could not reliably keep up with traffic flow. The issue was initially reported to the dealership, but they were unable to duplicate the concern at that time and noted no active or stored diagnostic codes. However, the problem persisted after the vehicle was returned. During a subsequent visit, a check engine light was present, and the dealership identified a fault code and ultimately replaced the transmission and updated the ECM, confirming a drivetrain-related failure. Initially, there were no warning lights when the issue first occurred. At a later point, the check engine light began intermittently turning on and off when the problem occurred. The primary symptoms were sudden RPM surges, failure to shift properly, and lack of acceleration during normal driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732430April 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel door actuator failed. The gas door would not open due to the actuator being seized shut, preventing access to the fuel tank. This vehicle does not have a manual release mechanism, so there was no alternative way to open the fuel door. The dealership confirmed the actuator malfunction. My family’s safety was put at risk because we were unable to refuel the vehicle. The incident occurred during extremely cold weather, with a windchill of approximately -8°F. Due to the inability to add fuel, we were at risk of running out of gas and losing heat in the vehicle, which could have resulted in a dangerous exposure situation. There were no warning lights or messages indicating a problem prior to the failure. The issue was first noticed when attempting to refuel and the fuel door would not open.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732426April 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle’s transmission failed. While driving on the highway, the transmission began slipping and then would not allow the vehicle to accelerate beyond approximately 10 mph. The vehicle also lost the ability to reverse. My family’s safety was put at significant risk. The incident occurred on a highway with a speed limit of 70 mph and low visibility. Due to the sudden loss of acceleration, our vehicle was unable to keep up with traffic, creating a dangerous situation with a high risk of being struck by other vehicles. The dealer reproduced and confirmed the issue. They documented very hard shifting, lack of reverse, and stated the transmission fluid smelled burnt. No diagnostic codes were present. The dealer advised replacement of the transmission. No warning lights or messages appeared on the dashboard prior to the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729873April 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
2022 Kia Sorento. Dec 2024(previous owner incident) to new owner purchase May 2025- April 2026 vehicle keeps displaying all lights and warnings, loses acceleration & loss of throttle power while driving. High voltage code P0653 code displays. RPM’s will go up and down while vehicle is in park. Have had an active case open with Kia America Escalated case specialist since Nov 2025. Vehicle has been taken to two different Kia dealerships and has had this incident 7 times since May 2025 used purchase. A few different parts have been changed while working with a Kia America tech over a computer, yet it doesn’t fix the problem. It was reported in 2024 by the previous owner and the dealership could not find the source. It was never disclosed from the dealership prior to reselling. My problems started 3 weeks after owning the car. Less than 200 miles. I got in contact with previous owner, the vehicle kept going into limp mode while driving & the code would clear before she could get it to the shop & they couldn’t resolve it, so she traded it back in. 1st Incident: Dec 2, 2024 (previous owner) 2nd: June 6, 2025 3rd: July 19, 2025 4th: August 14, 205 5th: September 19,2025 Contacted Kia after and finally assigned a case officer Nov 10, 2025. Taken to shop Nov 11, 2025. 6th: Feb 22, 2026 7th: April 4, 2026 - going 75Mph on a highway and having to cross 4 lanes of traffic with no throttle power.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727036March 25, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with battery sensor failure. The contact was informed that the battery sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the diagnostic test was not performed on the instrument panel. The contact was informed that an additional diagnostic test was required to determine the cause of the failure with the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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