VehicleVerdict

2025 Kia Sorento problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2025 Kia Sorento is among the quieter years of the Sorento on NHTSA's books: 112 complaints (67% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (18), other (18), and engine (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

112

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other Sorento years?

Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 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, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sorento years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Kia Sorento problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1816%
Electrical System1816%
Engine1715%
Transmission1715%
Driver Assistance1513%
Speed Control76%
Brakes54%
Fuel System44%
Visibility & Wipers44%
Lighting22%
Airbags22%
Steering22%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2025 Kia Sorento have recalls?

3 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.

25V548000EngineAugust 25, 2025 · 30 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.

Consequence

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.

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.

“While driving this warning alert will show up on the screen of my vehicle. It is important to note that this happens WHILE driving and when NO ONE is using their phone or using the touchscreen of the car. No one is ever searching something on their phone OR on the car’s touchscreen system. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2025

“My wife was slowly pulling into a parking spot at kohls and the car lunged like the gas pedal was pressed all the way down and hit parking pole in spot . I googled to see if this was an issue reports and found information on this not actual recall but reports on this issue . Kia has done nothing…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 8, 2026 · crash

“My wife was pulling in spot and car took off at high rate of speed and hit parking pole . Kia corporate after 2 months tells me nothing wrong with vehicle . i found on kia of Manahawkin they have a page on this issue forced acceleration and cause so how they can tell me no it doesn't happen also…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 8, 2026 · crash

“The DCT transmission causes significant hesitation at slow speeds or starting from a stop. This often leaves the driver and it’s occupants in a vulnerable position if the car hesitates when trying to navigate through traffic. I have taken it to the dealership and they stated that nothing is wrong…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 31, 2025

“My wife was slowly pulling into a parking spot at kohls and the car lunged like the gas pedal was pressed all the way down and hit parking pole in spot . I googled to see if this was an issue reports and found information on this not actual recall but reports on this issue . Kia has done nothing…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 8, 2026 · crash

2025 Kia Sorento — common questions

Is the 2025 Kia Sorento reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 112 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sorento year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2025 Sorento problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (18 complaints), other (18 complaints), engine (17 complaints).

Does the 2025 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 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 2025 Kia Sorento?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 Kia Sorento 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.