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2022 Kia Sorento: problems, recalls and reliability

9 recalls and 218 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (28% of complaints); the 2020 and 2024 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 7 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2025

9
recalls
218
owner complaints
2
fire reports
24,250
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
4-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: power train (28%)2 fire reportsProblems reported early (median 24,250 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 218 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)28% · 54 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)18% · 34 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)11% · 22 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)7% · 13 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)5% · 9 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)5% · 9 complaints
Vehicle flashes Auto Start Stop icon on the dashboard, which is not commonplace. When this occurs, the vehicle can not accelerate when the accelerator is actuated. The vehicle can not accelerate past 40mph and the RPM is sporadic. This happens randomly and can not be diagnosed by the dealership. Multiple dealerships have tried and none can duplicate this issue. This is a severe safety concern and seems to be common all over multiple forums.Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2026
I am writing to report a recurring issue with the center navigation and infotainment screen in my 2022 Kia Sorento. The screen periodically goes completely black while I am driving. Occasionally, the display glitches before failing, while at other times, it goes dark without any warning. This is particularly concerning when I am relying on the navigation system for directions. I have previously taken the vehicle to the dealer, but they were unable to replicate the issue and therefore have not yet performed a repair.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2026
At stop lights trying to excel it stales for a couple of seconds then resumes. Does this on and off all day because I drive for a living. Finally the check engine light is on and now have to replace the whole turbo because it's failing. I just got the car mid march of 2026. I have kids and scared to drive around and the car fail on me.Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
The Auto Start-Stop System light came on flashing while driving. Vehicle wouldn't accelerate while in heavy traffic. Pulled over to the shoulder and turned vehicle off. Attempted to start vehicle again and would not start. Had to get the vehicle towed. Positive battery post is loose and screw is tightened as much as possible.Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
Engine wiring is covered in soy based products which attract rodents as a source of food. Rodents then chew various wires and damage the electrical system. The check engine light has popped on twice in one year with both times requiring service repair for the chewed wires. There is a potential for electrical fires or other various failures due to rodents chewing through the wires. Kia has known about this problem for over a decade and continues to use soy based coverings in their engine without any mitigation for rodents.Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
Idle stop and go system randomly auto disabled on start, unable to enable. Causes vehicle to be unable to accelerate faster than 25mph.Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2026
on my way home Friday evening from work. After exiting the expressway , I made a right turn on the street going towards my house. My steering wheel locked to the right and almost caused me to run into another car. If I had not be driving slow than the speed limit or still on the expressway, this would have been a very bad accident, if not fatal! This is after the dealership made repairs on my vehicle and deemed it safe to drive.Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2026
I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my 2022 Kia Sorento, which is experiencing a dangerous and recurring loss of engine power during acceleration. This issue presents a significant safety hazard, particularly during situations requiring immediate acceleration such as highway merging, crossing intersections, and passing traffic.Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2026
When I turned my car on and started to drive, an orange a popped up and started blinking. It looked like the automatic stop and start light. My car would not shift and I could not go above 60 mph. I had to turn my car off and turn it back on for it to stop doing what it was doing.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof exploded without impact. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,296.Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2026

When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 9 campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS25V649000 · Sep 2025

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

TRAILER HITCHES22V703000 · Sep 2022

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.

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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22V760000 · Oct 2022

Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:PIPES, HOSES, AND FITTINGS22V202000 · Mar 2022

Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC233.

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER22V127000 · Mar 2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Hybrid and Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seatbelt pretensioner(s), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC231. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-447. Vehicles already repaired under this recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT22V447000 · Jun 2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid and 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC241. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 22V-127. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE22V509000 · Jul 2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento and Telluride vehicles. The vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC244.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY23V027000 · Jan 2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. The fuel tank may have been improperly molded, which can result in a fuel leak.

Remedy: Deales will inspect and replace the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 22, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC261.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA23V610000 · Aug 2023

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."

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.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

How other years compare

Check your exact Sorento by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Kia Sorento reliable?

NHTSA has 218 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 2022 Kia Sorento. The most complained-about area is power train (28% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2022 Kia Sorento problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 24,250 miles or less.

Does the 2022 Kia Sorento have open recalls?

9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.