2023 Kia Sorento

121 complaints on file, page 1 of 7.

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026Failure Sep 5, 2026Lafayette, INUnknown or other

   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 complaint 11768378
2. Filed Sep 27, 2026Failure Aug 27, 2026Willoughby, OHEngine

   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 complaint 11767249
3. Filed Sep 9, 2026Failure Dec 15, 2025Austin, TXEngine

   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 complaint 11763054
4. Filed Sep 1, 2026Failure Aug 20, 2026Spokane, WACarry handle, Shell, Base, Chest clip

   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 complaint 11761341
5. Filed Aug 25, 2026Failure Aug 8, 2026Allentown, PAPower train

   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 complaint 11759602
6. Filed Aug 24, 2026Failure Aug 22, 2026Swampscott, MAElectrical system, Engine, Unknown or other

   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 complaint 11759161
7. Filed Aug 19, 2026Failure May 8, 2026Stuart, FLService brakesCrash

   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 complaint 11757893
8. Filed Aug 11, 2026Failure Dec 7, 2023Riverview, FLWarnings, Warning, Unknown or other

   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 complaint 11756297
9. Filed Aug 11, 2026Failure Jul 22, 2026Huffman, TXUnknown or other

   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 complaint 11756282
10. Filed Aug 6, 2026Failure Aug 5, 2026Extension, LAElectrical system, Adaptive cruise control, Steering

    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 complaint 11755298
11. Filed Aug 3, 2026Failure Jul 26, 2026208,600 milesHampton, GAPower train

    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 complaint 11754478
12. Filed Aug 1, 2026Failure Jun 5, 2025Hyde Park, MAElectrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system

    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 complaint 11754178
13. Filed Jul 21, 2026Failure Jul 1, 2026Patchogue, NYUnknown or other, Visibility/wiper

    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 complaint 11751824
14. Filed Jul 21, 2026Failure Jul 14, 2026Wimauma, FLEngine, Power train

    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 complaint 11751796
15. Filed Jul 16, 2026Failure Jul 9, 2026Delta, UTVisibility/wiper

    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 complaint 11750795
16. Filed Jul 15, 2026Failure Dec 10, 2025Stafford Springs, CTElectrical system, Warning, Steering

    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 complaint 11750686
17. Filed Jul 13, 2026Failure Jun 29, 2026Irmo, SCElectrical system, Unknown or other

    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 complaint 11749974
18. Filed Jun 26, 2026Failure Jun 25, 2026Evansville, INUnknown or other

    Driving down the road and the left rear passenger window exploded. Shatters went everywhere all over the passenger in the back. I went online and looked and this is a hugh issue evidently with some Kias. To me this is really serious issues that Kia is completely ignoring. Someone will eventually get seriously injured bi the glass exploding like it does.

    NHTSA complaint 11746681
19. Filed May 29, 2026Failure May 12, 2026Philadelphia, PAEngine

    Engine- car turn off - lights were still on, car restarted - no icons on dashboard

    NHTSA complaint 11740793
20. Filed May 28, 2026Failure Feb 6, 2026Pueblo West, COAdaptive cruise control, Service brakes, Vehicle speed control

    Vehicle exhibits repeated brake pulsation and vibration under normal braking conditions, affecting braking performance consistency. The issue began at approximately 10,000 miles and has progressively worsened. The vehicle currently has approximately 30,000 miles. The pulsation is felt through the steering wheel and brake pedal during moderate braking from highway speeds and occurs consistently across multiple driving conditions. The condition is significantly more pronounced when using the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control system. During normal operation, the adaptive cruise repeatedly applies the brakes automatically, and this consistently produces increased vibration and uneven braking response. This indicates the issue occurs during normal vehicle operation rather than abnormal use. The repeated pulsation creates inconsistent brake feel and may affect stopping performance, particularly during repeated or sustained braking events. This raises concern regarding braking reliability and stopping consistency, especially in traffic conditions where adaptive cruise control is actively managing following distance. The condition has steadily worsened over time and is present during routine driving. It is not limited to high-speed or heavy braking scenarios. A manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin (TSB CHA126V) exists for this vehicle model addressing front brake disc judder. The symptoms described in the bulletin match the condition experienced in this vehicle. Given the early onset, progressive nature of the issue, and the involvement of system-controlled braking (adaptive cruise), this condition appears to be related to component performance or design rather than normal wear. Kia response .. Dear [XXX] , Thank you for contacting Kia Customer Care. We do not see that bulletin related to this VIN, as such, any repairs recommended would be the responsibility of the vehicle’s owner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11740604