CSR

Kia · NHTSA safety record

2022 Kia Sorento

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

185

Complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2022 Kia Sorento have filed 185 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2022 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 62 of them (34%). The typical failure was reported at 28,660 miles, the median across the 19 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 53 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 21 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

25V649000 · September 25, 2025

The defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
The risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 39,536 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

23V610000 · August 31, 2023

The defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC280.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 144,979 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

22V760000 · October 11, 2022

The defect
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
The risk
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 69,038 vehicles across all model years covered

TRAILER HITCHES

22V703000 · September 19, 2022

Park outside until repaired

The defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
The risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 70,887 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

22V509000 · July 19, 2022

The defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
Impaired anti-lock braking or traction control systems can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC244.

Kia Motors America · up to 8 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

22V202000 · March 29, 2022

The defect
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
The risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC233.

Kia Motors America · up to 26 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 185.

POWER TRAIN 62 34%
ENGINE 52 28%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 37 20%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 16%
SERVICE BRAKES 17 9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 15 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14 8%
STEERING 10 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 9 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 8 4%
VISIBILITY 8 4%
TRAILER HITCHES 5 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 45.

2022 2023 2026
2022 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1 injured · crash · towed · 3,200 miles

The contact owned a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, she lost consciousness. The contact crashed into another vehicle as the air bags deployed and the front driver side tire had separated from the vehicle. The other driver sustained injuries; however, their whereabouts were unknown. An employee from a nearby dental office removed the contact from the vehicle and placed her inside the office. When the contact regained consciousness, the dental employee informed her that a strong unknown odor had emitted from the vehicle which prompted her to remove the contact from the vehicle. The contact believed that this odor caused her to lose consciousness which

NHTSA complaint 11534332, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 injured

While driving a vehicle on the highway, the sunroof exploded violently. The large, moving piece of the panoramic sunroof appears to have broken outwards. Large pieces of glass and smaller pieces landed in the front and middle of the cabin, including on the driver. Small chunks of glass landed on and cut the driver of the vehicle. A loud sound occurred. This was very startling, the glass was very dangerous, and we were lucky that no one was in the middle seats where the glass primarily fell. This occurred in a temperate (high 60s or low 70s F) climate and with no prior damage to the glass. No sign of an impact from anything on the glass. The sunroof cover was pulled back while the glass was

NHTSA complaint 11518762, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured

The sunroof imploded on its own while driving with no cars around. The implosion was so loud it caused me to swerve to other lanes and caused temporary sound loss. There was no warning and would have been worse if the sunshade wasn't on. Insurance is reviewing

NHTSA complaint 11572236. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER:HOSES/CABLES/RODS/GEARS/STRUT/CYLINDER

1 injured · 20,998 miles

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while using the OEM jack, it became stuck underneath the vehicle. The jack was very flimsy and was bent. The contact sustained injuries to his face, but no medical attention was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,998.

NHTSA complaint 11576859. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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.

NHTSA complaint 11756669. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

PARKING BRAKE

69,900 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11756329, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

50,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11751821, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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

NHTSA complaint 11751892, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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

NHTSA complaint 11743350, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

NHTSA complaint 11743009. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Kia Sorento

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 69 3
2024 36 2
2023 114 3
2021 236 4
2020 131 1 1
2019 419 2
2018 248 3 1
2017 795 4
2016 1,242 8
2015 747 3
2014 982 6 1
2013 979 5
2012 876 5
2011 1,517 7

Other 2022 Kia models

Every Kia on this site — 176 vehicles, 208 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst