2025 Kia Sorento Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
47/100
#9 most-complained of 16 Sorento years
The 2025 Kia Sorento has 74 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 47, and ranks 9th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" rating relative to other Sorento years. It has 3 recalls, including one for improperly tightened connecting rod bolts.
- Complaints
- 74
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 29 hwy
Top 2025 Kia Sorento problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine24 (32%)
- Electrical System21 (28%)
- Other20 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (26%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (15%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (8%)
- Brakes5 (7%)
- Fuel System4 (5%)
- Airbags3 (4%)
- Lane Departure2 (3%)
What owners report
- Vehicles unexpectedly limit speed to around 20-30 mph and enter limp mode, sometimes triggered by cold weather.
- Brake pedal reportedly becomes hard to press or fails to stop the vehicle, in one case leading to a crash.
- Windshield wipers can get stuck mid-windshield when snow builds up between the hood and windshield.
- Steering has locked up unexpectedly while turning, accompanied by multiple warning lights illuminating.
- The Driver Attention Warning system tied to the front camera triggers frequently without cause.
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking, in one case resulting in a collision with a pole.
2025 Kia Sorento recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V046000Jan 26, 2026Electrical System42,677 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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: 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.
- NHTSA 25V548000Aug 25, 2025Engine30 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:critical fasteners
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: 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.
- NHTSA 25V006000Jan 13, 2025Electrical System74,469 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
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: 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.
2025 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 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.
2025 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Kia Sorento reliable?
- NHTSA lists 74 complaints and a Complaint Index of 47 for the 2025 Sorento, ranking 9th worst of 16 model years, which earns a "Good" rating relative to other Sorento years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2025 Kia Sorento?
- Engine complaints lead at 32% of reports (24 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 28% (21 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain at 26% (19 complaints).
- Does the 2025 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: one for connecting rod bolts that may be improperly tightened, one for a Body Domain Control Unit software error affecting low beam headlights, and one for instrument panel display software.
- How does the 2025 Sorento compare to other bad Sorento years?
- It is far better than years like 2011 (Complaint Index 100) or 2016 (Complaint Index 93), both rated "Avoid," though it still trails top years like 2023 and 2024, which scored 13 and 7.
- What is the median mileage when Sorento problems occur?
- Across this year's complaints, median mileage at failure is 4,000 miles, with engine issues showing a median of 2,106.5 miles and transmission issues at 2,531.5 miles.