Model year

2026 Kia Sorento

SUV, gasoline, 4x2, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Apr 14, 2026 to Sep 2, 2026.

Recall campaigns covering this model year243k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints5Close to the median 2026 suv
Severity index60.02026 suvs average 10.9
First 24 monthsOpenWindow has not closed yet
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2026 Kia Sorento by year filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

024620265
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

40% of complaints about the 2026 Kia Sorento name brakes

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Brakes
2
Back-over prevention
1
Engine and cooling
1
Driver assistance
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

2 recall campaigns cover the 2026 Kia Sorento

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2026 Kia Sorento
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
26V-046Jan 26, 2026Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may failElectrical system42,677Software update
25V-745Oct 30, 2025Vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control…Tires45Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2026 Kia Sorento

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

5 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Sep 2, 2026Failure Jul 10, 2026Leesburg, FLUnknown or other

    My 2026 Sorento developed a fault after just two weeks of use. It had to be towed three times because the engine shuts down and won't restart. I tried to resolve the issue with the dealership, but they claim there is nothing wrong with the car. I reported the situation to Kia America; after a 19-day wait, they replied that there is nothing they can do and that I must pick up the vehicle from the Kia East Orlando dealership, or else I will have to pay parking fees. During this time—while the car was being towed three times by Kia’s own partners and transported to the dealership—it sustained damage to the trunk. They claim the car arrived at the dealership in that condition but refuse to provide me with photos or the tow truck inspection checklists.

    NHTSA complaint 11761556
  2. Filed Jun 29, 2026Failure May 30, 20267,000 milesPineville, LAEngine, Engine and engine cooling

    The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the check engine warning light started flashing and the vehicle entered LIMP Mode. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended while driving to the residence. The contact stated that the following day, while driving 75 MPH with an 18-wheeler behind the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated, shuddered, and jerked. The check engine warning light was consistently illuminated, and the message "Engine Management System - Follow Up Check Required" was displayed. Additionally, the Mobile App displayed the message "Engine Issues" with DTC: P030100. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted while driving to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with cylinder injector failure. The dealer replaced the cylinder injector; however, the failure recurred while driving 30 minutes later. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted, and the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle failed to exceed 25-30 MPH and was taken to the dealer. The dealer had not yet provided the result of a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the latest diagnostic report submitted by the dealer on June 22, 2026, stated that the vehicle was diagnosed with a gasket failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11747249
  3. Filed May 12, 2026Failure Apr 14, 2026600 milesPanama City, FLForward collision avoidance, Service brakes, HydraulicCrash

    The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 2 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop and rolled forward. The Forward Collision Avoidance feature also failed, causing the vehicle to crash into a building. No warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact and his wife did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who sent the computer system to the manufacturer; however, no data was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The insurance company was made aware of the failure but had not yet deemed the vehicle totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would notify NHTSA of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600.

    NHTSA complaint 11737357
  4. Filed May 11, 2026Failure Apr 18, 2026Nashville, TNUnknown or other1 injured

    I HAD GOT OFF WORK AND GOT INSIDE MY VEHICLE,A 2026 KIA SORENTO AND WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE THE BACK WINDOW SPORADICALLY SHATTERED AND I DO HAVE CCTV OF IT AS WELL

    NHTSA complaint 11737171
  5. Filed Apr 14, 2026Failure Apr 10, 2026Kinston, NCWarnings, Service brakesCrash

    I am reporting a suspected brake system malfunction. About one block before my destination, I stopped at a traffic light and applied light pressure to the brake pedal. The vehicle slammed and jerked to a stop unexpectedly. Moments later, while turning into a parking space, I pressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle did not stop as expected. The SUV went over the cement parking post and struck a tall sign about 10 to 12 feet ahead. A large bush around the sign slowed the vehicle before it could continue into a tree. This created a serious safety risk to me and my passengers, who included one adult and two young children. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. The suspected failed system is the brake system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. It was towed after the incident because I did not feel it was safe to drive. At this time, the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent repair facility because the vehicle is pending inspection. The vehicle has been reported to the manufacturer, and an insurance claim has been opened. UNKNOWN whether any electronic braking or driver-assistance system also contributed. I did not observe any warning lamps or messages before the incident. The main symptom before the crash was abnormal brake behavior at the traffic light, when light brake pressure caused the vehicle to slam and jerk to a stop unexpectedly.

    NHTSA complaint 11731023
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

8 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R2 Jun 18, 2026 · Over The Air
    RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 2) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2025 - 2026MY Carnival, EV9, K5 and Sorento vehicles. Th…
  • TSB_ELE422 May 28, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at u…
  • OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R1 Apr 24, 2026 · Over The Air
    RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 1) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2025 - 2026MY Carnival, 2025 - 2026MY K5 and 2025 - 2026…
  • TSB_ELE417 Apr 14, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and US…
  • TSB_ELE413 Mar 20, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCU COMMUNICATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) system software on some 2025–2026MY vehicles listed in the table below. Kia has identified that Connected Car …
  • TSB_ENG261_R1 Feb 10, 2026 · Service Campaign
    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC26) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bu…
  • TSB_ENG261 Jan 28, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC26) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting “in use monitoring performance tracking” emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain v…
  • PS797 Dec 9, 2025 · Other
    PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating …
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.