Kia Sorento Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2021–2025)
The 2023 and 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid years rank worst, with complaint index scores of 75 and 100 and engine as the top problem area. The 2024 model year scores best with a complaint index of 0 and no recalls. 2021 warrants caution with an index of 50.
- Model years
- 5
- 2021–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 111
- Recall campaigns
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Engine
Sorento Hybrid Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Sorento Hybrid problems and recalls by year
Sorento Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong
2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid Index 100 · 42 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2025 Sorento Hybrid shows the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Engine complaints dominate at 55% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 6,650 miles; some owners described sudden loss of engine power at highway speed. Transmission and powertrain complaints followed at 40%, with a median mileage of 16,386 miles, and fuel system complaints reached 33%. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this year covering electrical system software issues, including an instrument panel display update and a low-beam headlight loss fix. One crash and 2 injuries were reported.
2025 engine problems →2025 transmission & powertrain problems →
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid Index 75 · 30 complaints · 2 recalls
Owners of the 2023 Sorento Hybrid reported engine problems most often, making up 40% of complaints for the year at a median mileage of 19,700 miles. Fuel system issues followed at 33%, and electrical system complaints reached 27%, with some owners describing the vehicle refusing to shift out of park or displaying random hybrid system warnings at a median of 15,000 miles. Windshield cracking was also reported. NHTSA recorded 2 recall campaigns for this year, including a rearview camera housing defect and a tow hitch harness issue requiring owners to park outside. This year carries a complaint index of 75, the second worst in the lineup.
Most common Kia Sorento Hybrid problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine52 (47%)
- Electrical System32 (29%)
- Fuel System28 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (23%)
- Other19 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (5%)
- Brakes5 (5%)
- Structure & Body5 (5%)
- Lane Departure3 (3%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Kia Sorento Hybrid should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2023 and 2025 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 75 and 100, both driven largely by engine complaints.
- What is the best year for the Kia Sorento Hybrid?
- The 2024 model year is the best based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 0, only 6 complaints, and no recalls.
- Is the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid reliable?
- The 2021 Sorento Hybrid is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 50 and electrical system complaints as the top issue, reported at a median of 7,650 miles.
- Does the Kia Sorento Hybrid have recalls?
- Across all model years, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the Sorento Hybrid, covering areas like rearview cameras, tow hitch harnesses, and electrical software.
- What is the most common problem area for the Kia Sorento Hybrid?
- Engine complaints lead across all years, accounting for 52 of 111 total complaints, or 47% of the total, followed by electrical system issues at 29%.