Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Sorento, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system38
- Unknown or other37
- Engine32
- Power train22
- Forward collision avoidance14
- Vehicle speed control11
- Service brakes11
- Lane departure10
- Steering7
- Visibility/wiper7
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 16 2023 Sorento vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 6 people died inside them, and 5 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2023 Kia Sorento failed the safety check 0.48% of the time — 30% less often than the average 2023 passenger car (0.69%). Median odometer at inspection: 12,215 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Real-world fuel consumption
1,860 Kia Sorento cars first registered in Europe in 2023 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol hybrid versions use 7.9 l/100 km on the road against 7.1 in the WLTP test (+12%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol hybrid | 617 | 7.9 | 7.1 | +12% |
| Diesel | 604 | 7.7 | 6.5 | +18% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 639 | 6.4 | 1.7 | +282% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
633 first registered in 2023 are on Dutch roads; 15% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €59,215.
Most common APK defects
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm3
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld2
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht2
- Bandenspanning op 1 as niet gelijk1
- Gordel beschadigd1
- Schokdemper werkt niet (goed)1
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
2,721 cars built in 2023 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 9 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
252 of these cars first registered in 2023 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 63,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,270 2023 cars are on the New Zealand register; 0% arrived as used imports, 100% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 5 variants; 0 of 4 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Sorento HEV SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 15.9 % |
| 2023 Kia Sorento HEV SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 15.9 % |
| 2023 Kia Sorento SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 15.9 % |
| 2023 Kia Sorento SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 15.9 % |
| 2023 Kia Sorento PHEV SUV AWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 4 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 9.7–9.9 L/100 km (about 24 mpg US), CO₂ 227–234 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorento AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.1 | 9.2 | 9.7 |
| Sorento AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.9 | 8.7 | 9.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2023 Kia Sorento.
| 2025516 26 Sept 2025 | Heater And Defroster Issue: On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the blower motor may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the wiring could overheat and melt. … |
| 2024549 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2023494 1 Sept 2023 | Visual System Issue: On certain vehicles, the rearview camera mounting clips could fail. If this happens, the rearview camera could fall out of position and cause the rearv… |
| 2023465 17 Aug 2023 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the airbag warning labels on the driver and passenger sun visors could peel off. Canadian regulations require information about th… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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."
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2023 Kia Sorento: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010702 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 8-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION EOP SENSORLESS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - 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 bulletin provides information to improve the Electric Oil Pump EOP operation logic of the automatic transmission A/T on some 2021-2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from September 9, 2020 through December 29, 2023 and 2021-2023MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from March 24, 2020 to December 18, 2023, equipped with a 2.5L T-GDI Theta III engi |
| 11010699 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) (SA582) - 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 bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2023-2024MYKia vehicles (refer to model list on page 8) to remedy a non-responsive or inoperative radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the RADIO hard key/button on the AVN unit |
| 11010698 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - 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 bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 8) to remedy a non-responsive or inoperative radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the RADIO hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the RA |
| 11009491 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT BRAKE DISC JUDDER INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to address vehicles that may be exhibiting front brake judder sensation while braking on certain 2021-2024MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from July 26, 2021 through March 28, 2024 and 2023-2024MY Sportage (NQ5a) vehicles produced from January 7, 2022 through May 20, 2024. Brake judder is a vibration or pulsing sensation felt in the steering wheel, brake pedal, and/or seat when the brakes are applied while driving. |
| 11006664 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 8-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION EOP SENSORLESS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - 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 bulletin provides information to improve the Electric Oil Pump EOP operation logic of the automatic transmission 'A/T on some 2021-2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from September 9, 2020 through December 29, 2023 and 2021-2023MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from March 24, 2020 to December 18, 2023, equipped with a 2.5L T-GDI Theta III eng |
| 11005430 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 8-SPEED DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION EOP SENSORLESS LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides information to improve the Electric Oil Pump EOP operation logic of the automatic transmission A/T on some 2021-2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from September 9, 2020 through December 29, 2023 and 2021-2023MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from March 24, 2020 to December 18, 2023, equipped with a 2.5L T-GDI Theta III engines and 8-Speed Dual Clutch Transmissions (DCT). |
| 11005368 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone projection connectivity-related concerns. |
| 11005208 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) (SA582) - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2023-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a non-responsive or inoperative radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the RADIO hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the RADIO icon on the AVN menu screen. Also, a warning sound accompanied by a Slippery road ahead. Drive carefully or Uneven road ahead |
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 10252800 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC298) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to apply additional body seam sealer to prevent potential water intrusion into the blower motor in certain 2023-2024 MY Sorento vehicles. Kia dealers will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the blower motor. |
| 10251450 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: COWL WATER INTRUSION REPAIR (SC298) - This bulletin provides information to apply additional body seam sealer and also to inspect and, if necessary, replace the blower motor on certain 2023-2024MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced at Kia Georgia (KaGA)from October 25, 2023 through February 11, 2024. The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system uses cooling and heating to help maintain a pleasant environment inside the vehicle. The blower motor controls the airflow for the HVAC system. Due to improper body seam sealer applic |
| 10250783 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC298) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC298. |
| 10250782 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC298) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2023-2024 Sorento vehicles manufactured from October 25, 2023 through February 11, 2024 to apply additional body seam sealer to prevent potential water intrusion into the blower motor. Kia dealers will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the blower motor. |
| 10250781 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC298) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2023-2024 Sorento vehicles manufactured from October 25, 2023 through February 11, 2024 to apply additional body seam sealer to prevent potential water intrusion into the blower motor. Kia dealers will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the blower motor. |
| 10250517 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - 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 bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecti |
| 10247556 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE SCREEN FREEZING OR MAP DELAY WITH WIRED APPLE CARPLAY - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles to remedy an inaccurate map location, freezing AVN screen, or experiencing a delay when using Google Maps or Waze through wired Apple CarPlay. |
| 10245171 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) (SA550) - 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 bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on some 2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from December 02, 2022 through July 19, 2023 to improve a 'non-responsive' or inoperative radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' ha |
| 10244283 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: WINDSHIELD WATER RAIL GARNISH REPLACEMENT (SA551) - This bulletin provides information to replace the left (driver) windshield water rail garnish on certain 2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from September 18, 2023 through September 21, 2023. The affected vehicles may have obtained a dimple on the left (driver) windshield water rail garnish during manufacturing process at the factory. |
| 10243929 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) (SA550) - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on some 2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced from December 02, 2022 through July 19, 2023 to improve a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the 'RADIO' icon on the AVN menu screen. Kia is requesting the completion of this Service Action on all affected vehicl |
| 10243928 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: UNEVEN/SLIPPERY ROAD WARNING DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a warning sound accompanied by a 'Slippery road ahead. Drive carefully' or 'Uneven road ahead. Drive carefully' warning which is displayed on the instrument cluster. The current AVN software causes the warning sound and message to repeat approximately every ten (10) seconds, if the vehicle is not in motion, in 'PARK' or driving on even surfaces |
| 10242937 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 4WD COUPLING ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to replace the AWD coupling actuator assembly on some 2021-2023MY Kia AWD models listed on page 4. The affected vehicles may exhibit an inoperative AWD system (also referred to as 4WD) capability concern which may be caused by abnormal wear of the motor brushes inside the actuator assembly. This condition will cause the warning lamps on the instrument cluster to illuminate with stored DTC(s) P195800 and/or P19600. |
| 10242913 | PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of differing circumference. Some customers may complain of a chatter sensation felt in the drivetrain of the vehicle and/or the failure of drivetrain component(s). A difference in tire size (width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter etc.) may be the cause. |
| 10235105 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC23) - 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 bulletin provides information related to extracting "in use performance tracking" emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires the emissions data from vehicles with a minimum of 3,000 accumulated miles without reprogramming or resetting. To |
| 10233316 | PITSTOP: PRECAUTIONS FOR WET 8-SPEED DCT: This Pitstop provides information related to the replacement of an 8-Speed Wet Dual Clutch Transmission (WDCT) assembly on some 2021-2023MY K5 (DL3a) and Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles, where the High Flow Electric Oil Pump (HF EOP) protective connector cover may NOT be installed on the new/remanufactured WDCT assembly during production or remanufacturing. The HF EOP connector may become contaminated during shipping and/or may become contaminated with oil and/or coolant during installation. |
| 10233314 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2304) - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM), or Intelligent Integrated Platform Module (IPM) system on certain 20132015MY Sorento (XMa), 2016-2020MY Sorento (UMa), and 2021-2023MY Sorento (MQ4a) vehicles produced within the dates outlined on page 10, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)