Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 21, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

73 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
31

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

transmission slipping 11sudden stalling 7software faults 4
A recent report: The engine sputters several times in a single trip, and is available upon request. The engine sputtered and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road as I was trying to cross 2 lanes of traffic…
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The engine sputters several times in a single trip, and is available upon request. The engine sputtered and the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road as I was trying to cross 2 lanes of traffic. It has sputtered so bad, I almost rear ended the vehicle in front of me. Yes, the dealership confirmed via text on 7/13/2026. The dealership confirmed it occurred then insisted on my picking up the vehicle despite of that. No effort to fix or determine why that was happening. I was told “the vehicle is learning how I drive, the road was bumpy, and the manufacturer would need more than to cover it” The dealerships invoice to the manufacturer stated “no sputtering” even after acknowledging in writing that it occurred and refused to change the paperwork. The dealership also reset the data and that it “could” resolve everything. If there’s nothing wrong with the vehicle, why would it need to be reset? The manufacturer has been called twice regarding the sputtering issue. No warning lights. Started in 10/2025 the dealership was made aware several times with several appointments and refused to look at the vehicle until the manufacturer contacted them in July.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11754281 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
23

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 11sudden stalling 4
A recent report: VEHICLE: 2025 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX]) KIA CORPORATE CASE #: XXX SAFETY DEFECT DESCRIPTION: The central ccNC infotainment display screen suffers from recurring, thermal-induced flickering and…
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VEHICLE: 2025 Kia Sorento (VIN: [XXX]) KIA CORPORATE CASE #: XXX SAFETY DEFECT DESCRIPTION: The central ccNC infotainment display screen suffers from recurring, thermal-induced flickering and complete blackouts while driving and parking. When the screen blackouts, the FMVSS 111 federally mandated Backup Camera, navigation, and critical vehicle safety displays are completely lost, posing an immediate collision and safety hazard. EXTENSIVE SERVICE & REPAIR HISTORY (2 FAILED DEALER VISITS): 1. VISIT #1 (XXX - Healey Kia, Newburgh NY): Reported intermittent display flickering and blackout. Dealer claimed unable to duplicate on quick drive and requested video proof. 2. EVIDENCE DOCUMENTATION: Clear video was captured demonstrating screen flickering and total blackout after ~20 minutes of driving, while audio continued playing. 3. VISIT #2 (XXX - Kia of Middletown, NY, Invoice #XXX at 4,951 miles): Dealer performed a 2-hour manual CCNC software update via KGIS and released the vehicle as "operating as designed." 4. FAILURE RECURRENCE (XXX): Less than 24 hours after the software update, the display experienced another complete failure and blackout while driving (captured on secondary video). CURRENT STATUS / REFUSAL TO REPAIR: Despite TWO separate dealership visits and conclusive video evidence proving the software update failed, Kia Customer Care (Case #XXX) refused to authorize a warranty Head Unit / Display Assembly replacement and instead instructed me to repeatedly surrender the vehicle for indefinite dealer visits. This is an unresolved, chronic safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11760338 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 3software faults 1
A recent report: I was stopped at a red light. The light turned green, the vehicle in front of me was easily 4 car lengths ahead at this point into the intersection, I then slowly began to accelerate, my car gave me…
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I was stopped at a red light. The light turned green, the vehicle in front of me was easily 4 car lengths ahead at this point into the intersection, I then slowly began to accelerate, my car gave me a false collision warning even though there was no car or hazard in front of me, then I brake checked me (initiated my brakes and slammed on them). This could’ve easily caused the car behind me to hit me and fortunately it didn’t. It did however cause me whiplash, very dangerous. I’ve since turned collision warning off all together

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11744310 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: I was going to Villa Toscana homestead , and in that road there a big hole and made my tire explode . No light on homestead road to be able to see the big hole.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11743455 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
1

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: Hit a deer going 80, airbags did not deploy and car did not attempt to brake

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11709732 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
10

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 10
A recent report: About a minute into my drive, I heard an explosion. I looked back thinking something happened to my twin toddlers and saw nothing. I heard the sound of glass cracking and looked up to see the front…
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About a minute into my drive, I heard an explosion. I looked back thinking something happened to my twin toddlers and saw nothing. I heard the sound of glass cracking and looked up to see the front glass of my moonroof shattered. I pulled over to safety and closed the sun cover for the moonroof before any more glass could fall into the car in fear of my toddlers getting injured. The car itself had been on for maybe 5 minutes prior to driving away from my house.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11760144 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: We have a brand new 2025 Kia Sorento and suddenly the AC stopped working. Took it into the service center who could not identify the problem but didn't see any damage. They got it working again and…
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We have a brand new 2025 Kia Sorento and suddenly the AC stopped working. Took it into the service center who could not identify the problem but didn't see any damage. They got it working again and we drove it for a couple of days and it stopped working again as anticipated. We brought it back in and they now report debri damage, now not covered by kia warranty. I searched online and this seems to be a common issue with the unit and that the grill design does not protect the engine and is prone to significant damage to the vehicles engine components that Kia will not cover under warranty.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11693495 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 73 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2024 and 2026, roughly 41 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.