2025 Kia Sorento PHEV

The defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

The risk

An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

The remedy

The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 42,677 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

The risk

A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 74,469 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. During a crash, the steering rack may damage the fuel line, which can result in a fuel leak.

The risk

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The remedy

Dealers will install a cover around the fuel line, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC328.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 1,385 vehicles across all model years covered

crash

On March 13, 2026, Friday, at about 3:00 pm, was driving XXX on US XXX toward the XXX stop and go traffic backup for several miles. Sun was behind direction of traffic flow. Temperature was low-mid 50s and road was dry and no rain or snow. Winds were 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Road was 3 lanes in the east direction with one lane closed. Attempting to keep about a 3 foot distance from car in front. My was is a Kia 2025 Sorento PHEV model purchased in July 2024 and has had regular servicing. I was keeping a firm pressure on brake pedal to not allow car to roll into the car in front. Suddenly, the car surged forward into the other car. Keep both feet on the brake pedal to attempt to stop …

NHTSA complaint 11726151, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

A check engine coolant system light came on, so I took the car to the local Kia dealership in downtown LA. They checked the battery coolant level and found it was completely empty and recommended I check for leaks. I later took the vehicle to Kia of Irvine for an inspection, and they found a rock had entered through the front grille and punctured the radiator, causing the leak. The front grill is both very exposed and low to the ground without any kind of protective shield/mesh blocking ordinary road debris from entering and damaging the exposed radiator and other vital engine components. Kia denied warranty coverage, claiming this was an "outside influence". However, online I found …

NHTSA complaint 11767244, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Warning Message CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, First incident driving on the road car gave warning message 10 mins later car went in limp mode in the middle of road and did not allow me too move (took to dealership they had the car for four days ,they reported no codes was found )2. Second Incident driving on highway and car gave warning message shortly after warning sign car start to not let me accelerate and was going very slow on highway, manage to pull over and engine light and message came up diagnostic fault code.

NHTSA complaint 11762668. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

multiple active faults, 12 active DTC codes, which have disabled the ABS, ESC and airbag communication lines, the dealer we took the car to refused to perform a full diagnostic and repair. I have been in contact with Kia corporate and they have consistently said that cannot make a dealer perform service. The dealer where we purchased the vehicle cannot see us until October.

NHTSA complaint 11762737. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

30,000 miles

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, …

NHTSA complaint 11756660, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11755646, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and the message "Hybrid System Failure" was displayed. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted, but the failure persisted, and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred a week later. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint 11755517. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.