2023 Kia Sorento Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: October 29, 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.

Incident: October 2, 2026 · Filed: October 21, 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.

Incident: October 18, 2026 · Filed: October 18, 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)

Incident: October 2, 2026 · Filed: October 9, 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.

Incident: October 1, 2025 · Filed: October 2, 2026

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

Incident: September 5, 2026 · Filed: October 1, 2026

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.

Incident: August 27, 2026 · Filed: September 27, 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.

Incident: December 15, 2025 · Filed: September 9, 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)

Incident: August 20, 2026 · Filed: September 1, 2026

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.

Incident: August 8, 2026 · Filed: August 25, 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.