VehicleVerdict

2023 Kia Sorento problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2023 Kia Sorento is among the quieter years of the Sorento on NHTSA's books: 179 complaints (47% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (33), other (31), and engine (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

179

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Sorento years?

Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted2,073 complaints2003: 421 complaints2004: 341 complaints2005: 457 complaints2006: 382 complaints2007: 224 complaints2008: 317 complaints2009: 79 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 2,073 complaints2012: 1,205 complaints2013: 1,293 complaints2014: 1,364 complaints2015: 955 complaints2016: 1,610 complaints2017: 1,021 complaints2018: 332 complaints2019: 616 complaints2020: 183 complaints2021: 335 complaints2022: 278 complaints2023: 179 complaints2024: 53 complaints2025: 112 complaints2026: 7 complaints
Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sorento years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Kia Sorento problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3318%
Other3117%
Engine2715%
Driver Assistance2413%
Transmission179%
Brakes116%
Speed Control116%
Visibility & Wipers95%
Steering53%
Fuel System53%
Seats21%
Body & Structure21%
Lighting21%

Does the 2023 Kia Sorento have recalls?

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

25V649000Visibility & WipersSeptember 25, 2025 · 39,536 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.

Consequence

A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

23V610000Driver AssistanceAugust 31, 2023 · 144,979 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The mounting clips for the rearview camera may break, which can cause the rearview camera image not to appear properly on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC280.

23V579000OtherAugust 15, 2023 · 50,517 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sorento vehicles. The air bag warning labels on the driver and front passenger sun visors may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A detached air bag warning label will not warn occupants about the risks of air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the driver and front passenger sun visors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC277.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I was driving down the highway on cruise control going 67 on a 65. The car started revving up and then proceeded to go faster. I turned off the cruise control but its continued to speed up. I stomped on the brake 4 or 5 times with no effect. I rammed into the back of a bus at 110 mph. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 28, 2023 · crash

“Was driving on Dallas North Toll way when my vehicle lost acceleration. Had to pull over and engine started smoking and lit a flame under the hood. Car is now at Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, TX. Car has been there for over two weeks and I still have no answers or information regarding the plan to fix…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 15, 2025 · fire

“Was driving on Dallas North Toll way when my vehicle lost acceleration. Had to pull over and engine started smoking and lit a flame under the hood. Car is now at Clay Cooley Kia in Irving, TX. Car has been there for over two weeks and I still have no answers or information regarding the plan to fix…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 15, 2025 · fire

“My blind spot and forward collision warnings kept going off with any vehicles in front me or in my blind spot. I was on the road by myself and they constantly would go off over and over and nothing covering the sensors. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · August 15, 2023

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was shifted into drive, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move forward. No warning…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 12, 2025 · crash

2023 Kia Sorento — common questions

Is the 2023 Kia Sorento reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 179 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sorento year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2023 Sorento problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (33 complaints), other (31 complaints), engine (27 complaints).

Does the 2023 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Kia Sorento. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Sorento years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sorento years to avoid are 2011, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2017, 2015, 2019. The cleanest record among Sorento years belongs to 2010.

How safe is the 2023 Kia Sorento?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 Kia Sorento earned an overall rating of 4 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.