Fourth generation (MQ4) · first-year watch
2025 Kia Sorento, day 679
- 74complaints since Nov 22, 2024
- 3recalls
- 6involved a crash
- 5,839median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Changed since August
- 1 new complaint in September, about airbags.
- Nothing filed yet on sticky steering, transmission failure, engine failure or fire.
- 33rd most complaints of the 36 2025 models on this site.
What's been reported
NHTSA's own component codes. One report can cite several.
- Electrical21
- Other20
- Transmission and drivetrain19
- Engine19
- Collision avoidance11
- Speed control8
- Brakes5
- Windshield and wipers5
Problems so far
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 12 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 9 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 7 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 6 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 5 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 5 reports
Recent reports
“Driver attention warning light coming on frequently for no reason, is distracting for driver and will cause and accident, today we almost hit a horse and buggy”
Filed Jan 14, 2026
“The DCT transmission causes significant hesitation at slow speeds or starting from a stop. This often leaves the driver and itâs 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 with it, However, in reviewing online forums, it is obviously a significant concern.”
Filed Jan 10, 2026
“Instrument gauge cluster freezes while driving. Cannot view current speed, blinker status, cruise control settings, tachometer information, fuel status, or ADAAS items. Also gear select indicator light freezes and does not show correct gear/park. Can only be reset by disconnecting negative battery cable and discharging system.”
Filed Dec 29, 2025
“I am unable to disable the "consider taking a break" warning, this is highly distracting and I don't understand why I can disable ever other warning on the vehicle. This warning goes off so easily even when I'm not distracted or tired and it's unsafe!”
Filed Oct 16, 2025
At a glance
- Next to the 2024
- The 2025 is too new for a fair per-year comparison. It has 74 complaints so far; the 2024, on sale longer, has 41.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, stalling, covers 12 of the 74 complaints (16%), and infotainment is next with 9 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). Too few of the stalling reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 7 of the 74 complaints (9%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 6 reports mention a crash and 4 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 3 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 39, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 34 more have come in.
Service bulletins for the 2025 Kia Sorento
Kia filed 33 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2025 Kia Sorento. 2 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 2 bulletins · 9 complaints
SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT ACTIVATION FAILURE (SA600) This bulletin provides information to access the ‘Dealer Mode’ function and perform a ‘Reset Network’ on certain 2025MY Multiple Model vehicles listed on page 7 equipped with a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) head unit to address customer concerns ...
CCNC - DEALER MODE, FACTORY AND NETWORK RESET This bulletin provides information to access the ‘Dealer Mode’ function on 2024MY~ models listed on page 5 equipped with a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) head unit, and to perform a ‘Reset Network’ and/or ‘Factory Reset’ to address customer concerns ...
Recalls
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
All 3 recalls on the 2025 Kia Sorento, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Seeing this on your own car? How to file a complaint with NHTSA
The log
Complaints by the month NHTSA received them, newest first. Blue bars mark a month with a recall or an investigation.
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2025 Kia Sorento?
Stalling, with 12 of the 74 complaints.
At what mileage do 2025 Kia Sorento problems start?
Of the 17 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 3,000 miles and half by about 6,000.
How many 2025 Kia Sorento complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
7 of them (9%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for stalling on the 2025 Kia Sorento?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 25V-548. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.