VehicleVerdict

2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 62 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Sorento Hybrid year — the 2025 model ranks #1 of 6 Sorento Hybrid years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

62

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other Sorento Hybrid years?

Sorento Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted62 complaints2021: 29 complaints2022: 19 complaints2023: 52 complaints2024: 8 complaints2025: 62 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Sorento Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sorento Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1829%
Transmission1423%
Fuel System1118%
Electrical System711%
Other711%
Speed Control35%
Airbags12%
Driver Assistance12%

Does the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V046000Electrical SystemJanuary 26, 2026 · 42,677 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

Consequence

An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.

25V006000Electrical SystemJanuary 13, 2025 · 74,469 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

A loss of headlights and taillights can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the BDC software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“For an unknown reason when driving on the highway in heavy traffic the engine started to shake violently causing us to immediately pull over and when we opened the hood the engine was shaking violently. This was a dangerous situation because during this time the engine was not very responsive to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 29, 2026

“For an unknown reason when driving on the highway in heavy traffic the engine started to shake violently causing us to immediately pull over and when we opened the hood the engine was shaking violently. This was a dangerous situation because during this time the engine was not very responsive to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 29, 2026

“For an unknown reason when driving on the highway in heavy traffic the engine started to shake violently causing us to immediately pull over and when we opened the hood the engine was shaking violently. This was a dangerous situation because during this time the engine was not very responsive to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 29, 2026

“Driving on highway car would suddenly lose power.it has happened 7 times. 4 times the car told you to get off road pull to sideband leave engine running to have battery recharge.after doing this sometimes it would allow you to continue.not always sometimes would continue to have no power. car has…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 16, 2025

“Driving on highway car would suddenly lose power.it has happened 7 times. 4 times the car told you to get off road pull to sideband leave engine running to have battery recharge.after doing this sometimes it would allow you to continue.not always sometimes would continue to have no power. car has…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 16, 2025

2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 62 complaints put the 2025 model at #1 of 6 Sorento Hybrid years. It is one of the Sorento Hybrid years to avoid.

What are the most common 2025 Sorento Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (18 complaints), transmission (14 complaints), fuel system (11 complaints).

Does the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Sorento Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sorento Hybrid years to avoid are 2025, 2023. The cleanest record among Sorento Hybrid years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.