2023 Kia Sorento Owner Complaints

The problem is ongoing and has occurred on three separate occasions. Starting when the vehicle had been driven approximately 20,000 miles. The problem occurs without warning. the vehicle well be performing as expected then a warning light will come on next every warning light on the dash comes the vehicle loses power in a extremely short period of time. it can be steered and the brakes work. The problem has occurred in heavy traffic creating a harrowing experience. Once I am in a relatively save place I turn the vehicle off for a period of time. I then restart and the warring's clear like a computer is rebooting. I have been two dealers neither can identify the problem. Cable Dahmer Kia 400 NE Colbern Rd Lee's Summit MO 64086 and Olympia Kia 3300 Carriage Loop SW Olympia WA 98502.

NHTSA ID

11776849

Incident

Oct 30, 2026

During normal operation the vehicle will randomly decelerate (no brake lights). This has happened on the highway and on city streets. I repeat on the highway this vehicle will go from 75mph to 40mph with no lights or warnings. The issue happened with my wife and child in the car and I was able to replicate the issue. I refuse to put my family in the car at this point. The Dealership says they cannot replicate the issue but is also lying about driving it diagnostically. The issue is video documented on two occasions. Since vehicle is under warranty it was brought to the dealership both times and have had zero resolution. During its last visit I was without the car for a month. I Contacted KIA corporate who denied a buy back. This vehicle will undoubtedly kill or injure my family or more if driven. I have been responsible and not done so to protect the public. But I need the car. Car is available for inspection at anytime. Videos available upon request.

NHTSA ID

11775786

Incident

Sep 10, 2026

The 12-volt battery system repeatedly collapses while the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is parked, leaving the vehicle completely immobilized: the doors will not unlock/open normally and the vehicle cannot be started, even though the high-voltage hybrid battery and fuel are ample. On November 2, 2026, after six days parked, the 12-volt system measured approximately 6 volts, about half of nominal. The vehicle could not be revived by 14+ hours on a battery maintainer; on November 3, 2026, roadside assistance revived it with a jump pack applied for about 1.4 seconds, confirming a system failure rather than an energy shortage. The defect has previously locked the owner out of the vehicle at -12 degrees Fahrenheit in upstate New York, a safety hazard in cold climates. The owner's instrumented findings, reported to Kia America in writing on February 9, 2026 and again November 2, 2026, show persistent parasitic draw during idle states, inconsistent charging of the 12-volt battery by the DC-DC converter, and no logic to re-energize the 12-volt system from the charged high-voltage battery. Kia has provided no substantive technical response. The vehicle/component is available for inspection upon request. No crash, no fire, no injuries. Manufacturer and dealer were notified in writing.

NHTSA ID

11775443

Incident

Nov 2, 2026

I am filing a formal vehicle safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Sorento, purchased new in December 2023. My vehicle has experienced intermittent, unexpected engine stalling and loses acceleration while driving requiring to turn off an back on. This creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose propulsion while in traffic, potentially resulting in a collision. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for evaluation several times over the past year. Despite the reported malfunction, the dealership has been unable to reproduce or identify the cause. The vehicle has not been repaired, and the underlying safety concern remains unresolved. I opened a case with Kia Corporate Customer Care and have repeatedly requested that this safety issue be escalated for further investigation. However, Kia has not provided a resolution, and my requests to speak with a supervisor or higher-level representative have been refused. The dealership is now requesting the return of its loaner vehicle on October 30, 2026, despite the unresolved safety concern. Kia has refused to authorize continued alternative transportation. I do not feel safe operating this vehicle because I cannot predict when it may stall or shut off again. I am concerned that this malfunction could result in a serious accident, injury, or death. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect to determine whether other Kia Sorento owners have experienced similar engine shutdowns or unexpected losses of propulsion. The dealership’s inability to reproduce this intermittent problem should not be considered proof that the vehicle is safe to operate.

NHTSA ID

11774388

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

Subject: Request for Review of Potentially Related Electrical Overheating – Kia Sorento HVAC Harness Recall SC351 / NHTSA 25V649 I am requesting that NHTSA review an electrical overheating issue involving my Kia Sorento and consider whether it could be related to the existing HVAC blower-motor resistor harness recall, SC351 / NHTSA 25V649. My vehicle experienced overheating at a terminal on the main relay in the under-hood fuse box. The overheating spread to and melted part of the fuse box. Kia inspected the vehicle in person and informed me that the overheated relay terminal belongs to a different circuit from the HVAC resistor harness involved in the recall. I understand Kia's position that these are separate circuits. However, I have not received a detailed technical explanation identifying the root cause of the relay terminal overheating or explaining the basis for ruling out any relationship to the recalled wiring defect. Kia has offered approximately $2,200 toward an estimated $3,900 repair through a goodwill program, leaving me responsible for approximately $1,700. I am concerned about both the safety implications of the electrical overheating and whether the problem could be related to a known wiring-harness defect. I am not asserting that the recalled HVAC harness definitively caused the damage. I am asking NHTSA to consider whether this incident warrants further review, whether similar failures have been reported by other Kia Sorento owners, and whether the existing recall adequately addresses the relevant safety defect. I can provide the vehicle identification information, recall information, photographs of the damage, Kia's written communications, and the repair estimate. Thank you for reviewing this potential safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11772639

Incident

Oct 2, 2026

My 2023 Kia Sorento has experienced continuous mechanical failures, including a serious engine fire in December 2025 while I was driving on the [XXX], which put my life at risk. Following that incident, my vehicle remained in the shop for nearly three months while the engine and related components were replaced, only to experience another failure in March 2026 requiring a transmission replacement, followed by electrical issues in April requiring a wiring harness replacement. In June 2026, my vehicle broke down again and required yet another transmission replacement, leaving me without my vehicle for several additional months. [XXX], my vehicle failed AGAIN while I was in Houston and had to be towed, proving that nearly a year of extensive repairs has failed to resolve these ongoing mechanical issues. This vehicle is a serious safety concern, and I have completely lost confidence in its reliability, especially after experiencing an engine fire, repeated breakdowns, and dangerous acceleration issues. I have continued making monthly payments on a vehicle that has spent more time in the repair shop than in my possession, causing significant financial strain, stress, and inconvenience. After nearly a year of unsuccessful repair attempts, I am demanding an immediate and permanent resolution, including a vehicle buyback or replacement, as I should not be expected to continue driving a vehicle that repeatedly jeopardizes my safety. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11771956

Incident

Oct 18, 2026

The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission malfunction while operation on public roads. The check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and a diagnostic scan from the app revealed active error code P1C2D03. This specific component failure looks like it relates directly to Kia Safety Recall SC250 (NHTSA Campaign 22V760) regarding the 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). Although my specific vin shows no active recalls. The failure presents an immediate safety risk as it causes an abrupt, unexpected loss of all motive power while driving in traffic.

NHTSA ID

11770257

Incident

Oct 2, 2026

The car loses power, the transmission shutters and slips at low speeds

NHTSA ID

11768451

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

I purchased my 2023 Kia Sorento in 2024 from Rohrman Kia in Lafayette, Indiana. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 9,000 miles and had previously been utilized as a dealership loaner vehicle. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced recurring mechanical concerns involving the vehicle’s auto start/stop system and a significant, unexpected loss of engine power. During an occurrence, the auto start/stop indicator (A) began flashing on the instrument cluster, and the vehicle experienced severely reduced acceleration, limiting my ability to travel above approximately 15 mph. This malfunction presents a substantial safety concern, particularly when operating the vehicle in traffic or on roadways where maintaining an appropriate speed is necessary. An unexpected reduction in power compromises my ability to accelerate normally, merge safely, maintain the flow of traffic, or respond appropriately to surrounding vehicles, potentially placing myself, my passengers, and other motorists at risk. I have returned the vehicle to the authorized Kia dealership for a year and a half now, regarding recurring mechanical concerns. Despite these service visits, I have been informed that the dealership has been unable to reproduce the reported malfunction, and that the vehicle is throwing no codes during its diagnostic inspections. To my knowledge, the underlying cause has not been conclusively identified or permanently corrected. The warning symptom I observed was a flashing auto start/stop (A) indicator accompanied by a substantial reduction in vehicle power. I cannot confirm which specific mechanical or electronic component is responsible for the malfunction. I have also escalated my concerns to the general manager of Rohrman Kia due to the recurring nature of these issues and the lack of a satisfactory resolution. I am requesting that this safety concern be formally documented and investigated to determine whether a defect exists.

NHTSA ID

11768378

Incident

Sep 5, 2026

When traveling up an incline or when gassing the car to accelerate quickly my car registers a spike in heat causing my car to go into limp mode creating a dangerous situation where I can not accelerate at the cars normal rate. When I lift off the gas the temperature normalizes and the car goes back to normal. I have taken the car to two Kia dealerships and they both charged for an assessment and gaslighted me saying they don’t see the issue even tho there are reports all over the internet with the same issue. I also presented a video showing the problem. Two years ago around 35000 miles I had the same issue and the dealership replaced the itm module which corrected the problem. The problem returned at 82000 miles and now they are saying my car is fine which it is not.

NHTSA ID

11767249

Incident

Aug 27, 2026

My 2023 Kia Sorento has experienced repeated failures involving the engine, transmission/powertrain, and electrical wiring system. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired multiple times by authorized Kia dealerships, including Kia of Round Rock and Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, and the repair history and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. The most serious incident occurred on XXX, while I was driving on the [XXX]. The vehicle suddenly lost acceleration, began smoking, and experienced a catastrophic engine-related failure, creating a serious safety concern while I was traveling on a high-speed roadway. The vehicle had to be towed to Clay Cooley Kia, where it remained for approximately three months and the engine and related components were replaced. After receiving the vehicle back on XXX, a significant oil leak developed approximately five days later. The vehicle was returned for service, the problem was confirmed, and it ultimately required a transmission replacement. On approximately XXX, multiple/all dashboard warning lights illuminated, and Kia subsequently replaced the wiring harness. The vehicle continued to experience problems and was towed to Kia again. In XXX, Kia determined that another transmission replacement was necessary. The vehicle has now had three transmissions associated with it, in addition to the replacement engine and wiring harness. XXX, the vehicle is still malfunctioning despite being on its third transmission. Current symptoms include the RPMs suddenly surging/revving higher than expected, jerking while driving, and a noticeable delay between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle accelerating. These symptoms create a safety concern because I cannot confidently predict how the vehicle will respond when accelerating, merging into traffic, crossing an intersection, or traveling at highway speeds. I am concerned that the repeated engine failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11763054

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

I own two Nuna RAVA car seats, and both have developed unraveling/tearing of the two-point harness buckle/strap between the child’s legs. One seat had noticeable tearing, which prompted me to closely inspect the second seat, where I found the same area beginning to unravel. I contacted Nuna and was initially advised to use glue or tape on the damaged area. After expressing my safety concerns about that, Nuna acknowledged that the damage is a safety hazard and instructed me to discontinue use of both seats. However, they refused to repair or replace the seats and instead offered a 10% discount toward purchasing a new seat. I am concerned that the same safety-critical component is failing on two separate car seats and that Nuna is acknowledging the hazard while requiring me to pay hundreds of dollars to replace the seats. Both seats are still within the expected usable life of the product. I believe this warrants investigation as a potential safety defect.

NHTSA ID

11761341

Incident

Aug 20, 2026

The transmission failed for the fourth time. The transmission (Power Train) is the component that failed and is available for inspection at the dealership. The vehicle became unsafe and unreliable to drive due to the repeated transmission failures, creating a risk of sudden loss of power or control. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer on multiple occasions, most recently on August 24, 2026. The vehicle has also been inspected by Kia America as part of an open case (Case #25964896). History: The 1st transmission failure was covered under the original factory warranty. The 2nd failure occurred after the 12,000-mile transmission replacement warranty had expired, requiring an out-of-pocket repair of $5,500. The 3rd failure occurred within 12,000 miles of that replacement and was covered by Kia. On August 24, 2026, the dealer confirmed the transmission had failed again — a 4th failure of the same component. Warning symptoms typically appeared as loss of power, hesitation, or rough shifting prior to each failure.

NHTSA ID

11759602

Incident

Aug 8, 2026

On multiple occasions, my 2023 Kia Sorento has experienced an intermittent failure where numerous dashboard warning lights and alerts illuminate and the engine will not start. During the failure, the brake pedal becomes very stiff and the vehicle cannot be shifted out of Park. The problem is unpredictable and has left the vehicle disabled. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership for diagnosis. The dealer initially stated that the battery was not properly secured and was moving around, possibly contacting nearby electrical components. They told me the issue had been repaired. However, when I returned to pick up the vehicle, the exact same failure occurred again in the dealership parking lot before I was able to leave. The warning lights came on and, after the vehicle was turned off, it would not restart. The dealer has therefore been able to directly observe the repeated failure. The exact component causing the malfunction is still unknown. I am concerned that this may be an electrical or grounding issue and that the vehicle could become disabled unexpectedly while in use.

NHTSA ID

11759161

Incident

Aug 22, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11757893

Incident

May 8, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11756297

Incident

Dec 7, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11756282

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

All of the ADAS you have listed stop working on my car. I will be driving my car, stop at a red light, drive through, or just driving down the road and it starts throwing sensors. It won’t even show the MPH I’m driving and some times the steering wheel locks up, as does the car itself. I can’t shift gears, move the vehicle, or anything until leaving the vehicle alone for a while and coming back to it. I have proof of multiple repairs, call ins to Kia, and even a request for buy back which was denied on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11755298

Incident

Aug 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop or while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The message “Transmission Fluid Low” was displayed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V760000 (Power Train); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 208,600.

NHTSA ID

11754478

Incident

Jul 26, 2026

Mileage

208,600 mi

The vehicle intermittently fails to start in two different situations. First, when the auto Stop/start system shuts the engine off while the vehicle is stopped anywhere, the engine sometimes refuses to restart, leaving the vehicle immobilized. Second, there are occasions when I park the vehicle, turn it off normally, and upon returning, the engine will refuse to start.

NHTSA ID

11754178

Incident

Jun 5, 2025

The panoramic sunroof on my 2023 Kia Sorento intermittently fails to close. When commanded to close, the glass travels most of the way, then stops or reverses before reaching the fully closed position. It frequently takes many repeated attempts. In some cases the panel will not seat at all until the vehicle is driven over rough pavement, and the resulting vibration allows it to complete closure. The malfunction is accompanied by a loud grinding or scraping noise from the roof assembly during travel. This condition has been present since I purchased the vehicle new. The sunroof has seen very limited use. Safety risk: the glass panel cannot be reliably secured. An open or unseated panoramic panel at highway speed presents a risk of water intrusion, wind loading on an unsecured glass panel, and loss of roof structure integrity. Repeatedly operating the switch and monitoring the panel while driving is a significant distraction from the driving task, and driving specifically to induce vibration in order to force closure is itself an unsafe workaround. Dealer history: I have reported this to a Kia dealership on multiple occasions. I was told there is no defect and that the cause is debris, which is inconsistent with a vehicle purchased new with minimal sunroof use. On one visit the dealer cleaned the assembly as a goodwill gesture. This did not correct the noise or the closure failure. The vehicle was returned to me as repaired while the noise and the failure to close were both still present. Kia issued Technical Service Bulletin BOD125 (Rev 1, 02/27/2017) describing a slow-to-close condition and abnormal closing noise on the prior-generation Sorento (UMa), remedied by cleaning and lubricating the rear guide rails and replacing the rear tilt levers. My vehicle exhibits the same failure mode described in that bulletin. The component is available for inspection on request. No warning lamps or messages preceded or accompanied the failure.

NHTSA ID

11751824

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

I have a 2023 Kia Sorento with approx 60k, purchased new from New Pot Richey Kia. Approx 7 days ago, while driving home from dropping my son at school, my transmission system error warning came on as well as my check engine light. My RPM'S would increased without corresponding acceleration, which meant my transmission, was slipping. I was also experiencing jerking during shifting. In addition to that, my car would hesitate before moving. And I would also experience a slight vibrations at low speeds. All of this would make me feel unsafe when driving my car.

NHTSA ID

11751796

Incident

Jul 14, 2026

While traveling on a freeway, the front sliding portion of our sunroof exploded outward and upward. Sunroof was closed at the time with no impact present to cause the event. A very expensive repair for something that is clearly a defect of some sort. KIA was contacted and not willing to warranty or help cover.

NHTSA ID

11750795

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

Since fall of 2025, my 2023 KIA Sorento has repeatedly been in the shop for multiple issues. Most notably, a completely wrecked steering column. This issue was fixed after being in the shop for 12 days. Then in December, I started noticing the shift would lock while in park. I would need to open the top plate and stick an item down into the shifter to emergency release in order to drive. Then all of the electrical components began to state they were no longer working. No cameras, no lane assistance, no forward collision warning, etc etc. Beyond that, all automatic locks, windows and my trunk stopped working. I was locked out of my vehicle in January in CT with my son. My vehicle has now been at a KIA dealership for 5 months awaiting the part to fix my car. All of these problems have been confirmed by their technicians. I continue to pay my $600 a month vehicle payment, as well as insurance as KIA consumer refuses to assist in any way and does not have any answer as to when my vehicle will be fixed. I do not have a vehicle that will fit my family due to this issue. I have asked them to buy back my vehicle, as it is clearly a lemon, but they state I have waited too long to request the buy back under lemon law in CT. NEVER did I think it would be acceptable to be unable to fix a customers unsafe vehicle and refuse to to do anything to help for 5 months at this time and no end in sight. I also have videos it says are too large to send.

NHTSA ID

11750686

Incident

Dec 10, 2025

Vehicle Component Affected: Electrical System / HVAC / Blower Motor Resistor Incident Description: While operating my 2023 Kia Sorento, the HVAC system suddenly suffered a complete failure, causing all airflow to cease instantly. A subsequent professional diagnostic inspection by an authorized Kia dealership revealed that the contacts at the blower motor resistor were severely burnt, causing the blower motor relay to burn out. This failure presents two critical safety and fire hazards: Fire Risk: The physical burning and overheating of electrical components and wiring within the dashboard assembly create an active fire hazard in the passenger cabin. Loss of Visibility: The sudden, complete loss of the climate control system severely compromises passenger safety by preventing the vehicle from defogging or defrosting the windshield during inclement weather, presenting an immediate crash hazard. This exact failure mechanism matches the description of Kia Safety Recall SC351 (NHTSA Campaign 25V649) word-for-word. However, Kia has stated that my specific VIN is excluded from the current recall population. Because this identical safety defect is actively manifesting outside of Kia's restricted recall range, I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate an expansion of SC351 to include all affected 2023 Kia Sorento vehicles to mitigate the risk of electrical fires and sudden visibility loss. 06/29/26 Experienced symptoms Inspected and diagnosed on 07/01/26 at JT Kia (Killian Road) Columbia, South Carolina

NHTSA ID

11749974

Incident

Jun 29, 2026