YearToAvoid

2025 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2025 Kia Sorento has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 11th out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 3 recalls covering engine, electrical, and headlight software issues, with engine problems the top complaint area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#11 of 21 Sorento years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
74
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2024
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
23 city / 29 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2025 Kia Sorento problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine24 (32%)
  2. Electrical System21 (28%)
  3. Other20 (27%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain19 (26%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (15%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers6 (8%)
  7. Brakes5 (7%)
  8. Fuel System4 (5%)
  9. Airbags3 (4%)
  10. Lane Departure2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Vehicles can suddenly limit speed to 20 or 30 mph and enter limp mode while accelerating, sometimes displaying a low-speed warning message.
  • Brake pedals have been reported as hard to press or unresponsive, with grinding or shaking felt when braking, in at least one case leading to a crash.
  • Some owners describe unintended or unexpected acceleration while parking at low speed, resulting in a collision.
  • Windshield wipers have become stuck mid-windshield when snow builds up between the windshield and hood.
  • Steering has locked up in some vehicles along with multiple dashboard warning lights illuminating simultaneously.
  • The Driver Attention Warning system has activated repeatedly without cause, tied to the front camera, according to owners.
2025 Kia Sorento complaints: complaints filed per month13Nov 2024Mar 2025Jun 2025Sep 2025Dec 2025Mar 2026Jun 2026Sep 2026
74 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2024 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2025 (13).

2025 Kia Sorento recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2023Good30119325
2024Best1541225
2025Caution5074325

All Kia Sorento years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Kia Sorento reliable?
The 2025 Sorento has a complaint index of 50, placing it 11th out of 21 Sorento model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other years. Engine complaints make up the largest share of reports at 32 percent.
Does the 2025 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2025 Sorento: an instrument panel display software issue, improperly tightened connecting rod bolts that can cause a loss of drive power, and a Body Domain Control Unit software error that can cause loss of low beam headlights.
What is the most common problem with the 2025 Kia Sorento?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 24 of 74 complaints, or 32 percent, with a median mileage at failure of 2,106.5 miles.
How does the 2025 Sorento compare to the worst Sorento years?
The 2025 model's complaint index of 50 is well below the worst years, such as 2011 with an index of 100 and 2016 with an index of 95, both rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Kia Sorento?
EPA rates the 2025 Sorento at 25 mpg combined (23 city, 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.