2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 75 and ranks 2nd worst of 5 model years, with 30 complaints, 2 recalls, and a top problem area of Engine. Compared to 2022 (Good) and 2024 (Best), 2023 is rated Avoid.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #2 of 5 Sorento Hybrid years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 30
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 35.5
- 37.5 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine12 (40%)
- Fuel System10 (33%)
- Electrical System8 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (13%)
- Structure & Body3 (10%)
- Brakes2 (7%)
- Lane Departure2 (7%)
- Other2 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls or dies unexpectedly while driving, sometimes accompanied by warning lights and requiring a tow.
- Vehicle hesitates or fails to respond when the accelerator is pressed, especially when merging or pulling out from a stop.
- Windshield or panoramic sunroof glass cracks or shatters spontaneously, both while parked and while driving at highway speed.
- Electrical system triggers false Highway Driving Assist warnings along with an intermittent squeaky noise from the driver's side cabin.
- Vehicle refuses to shift out of park, citing 'driving conditions not met,' with the hybrid system warning light coming on randomly.
- Auto headlights turn on and off erratically depending on shade or sun exposure, even without a clear trigger.
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V610000Aug 31, 2023Collision Avoidance & Cameras144,979 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V703000Sep 19, 2022Structure & Body70,887 vehiclesPark Outside
Trailer hitches
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 37.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 35.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2023 compared with other Sorento Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Sorento Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 75, the second worst of the 5 model years covered, earning an Avoid rating relative to other Sorento Hybrid years.
- What problems does the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid have?
- NHTSA complaints point mainly to the Engine (40% of complaints, median mileage at failure 19,700), Fuel System (33%), and Electrical System (27%, median mileage 15,000), including stalling and false driver-assist warnings.
- Does the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for rearview camera mounting clips that can break (campaign 23V610000) and one involving a tow hitch harness that requires parking outside away from structures (campaign 22V703000).
- How does the 2023 Sorento Hybrid compare to other years?
- The 2023 model (Complaint Index 75, Avoid) ranks worse than 2021 (50, Caution), 2022 (25, Good), and 2024 (0, Best), but better than 2025 (100, Avoid).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid?
- EPA rates the 2023 Sorento Hybrid at 35.5 mpg combined (37.5 city / 34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,825.