2025 Kia SORENTO HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
6,650 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 41 complaints (51.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 34.1% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 24.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 21 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Engine: 21; Power Train: 16; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Electrical System: 9; Unknown Or Other: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 26 |
2025: 15; 2026: 26
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11643265 · 2025-02-17 (February 17, 2025)
The front and rear passenger side windows of my 2025 Kia Sorento intermittently fail to operate. When attempting to roll them down, all that can be heard is a clicking sound, and the windows do not move. This issue occurs randomly and without warning. The malfunction poses a safety concern, as functioning windows are necessary for proper ventilation, emergency egress, and communication with others outside the vehicle, including law enforcement or toll booth operators. The issue was first reported to Kia of Bowie on December 9, 2024. However, t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11643265 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11666162 · 2025-06-10 (June 10, 2025)
Battery does not stay charged. I purchased the vehicle on 24AUG24. On 08FEB25, I began having trouble with the 12V battery. The battery died and Kia Roadside was called to jumpstart. The local Kia dealership replaced the 12V and tested the system. Everything checked out ok. I picked up the car on 10FEB25. On 03MAR25, I called Kia Roadside to jumpstart the dead 12V battery, again, and took the vehicle back to the same local Kia dealership. The dealer has been unable to correct the problem even with the help of Kia Corp.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11666162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11671685 · 2025-07-07 (July 7, 2025)
On June 5, 2025, I was driving my 2025 Kia Sorento. I proceeded to get onto the highway from an on ramp. At that moment, the engine stalled. The car would not accelerate. I could not go faster than 20-25 mph. This was a huge safety risk to me, to my passengers, and to others on the highway. Eventually I exited the highway and drove home very slowly, since the car would not accelerate beyond 20-25 mph. I was pressing the gas pedal as far down as it would go. I even tried turning off the car and restarting it. The check engine light was on. The c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11671685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11678353 · 2025-08-04 (August 4, 2025)
While driving my 2025 Kia Sorento SX Hybrid on a normal hot day, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of power. I had briefly exited the freeway to pick up my children and left the vehicle running. After re-entering the freeway, the car failed to accelerate despite pressing the gas pedal to the floor. It felt stuck in first gear, with the engine revving but no response. The hybrid battery showed nearly empty, and the car would not switch properly between electric and gas modes. A warning appeared instructing me to “park the car and leave t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11678353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11717334 · 2026-02-11 (February 11, 2026)
1. I'm not sure what component or system malfunctioned. The dealership has said something different every time it's had to be taken in. The first time they said it could have been the dip stick. The second time they said they didn't know but did an update to the car's system. Last week, was the third time we've had to take it in and they said they are doing an oil change and replacing the air intake hose assy, GDI fuel pump, High pressure fuel pump, valve cover assy, oil filter and oil but didn't say if this would fix the issue. 2. We have loss…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11717334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11744327 · 2026-06-15 (June 15, 2026)
Around XXX the car was suddenly unable to accelerate properly. When pushing the accelerator, the engine would rev only after a long lag, would rev significantly higher than normal without shifting, and the acceleration response was dramatically less than usual. It felt as if the engine simply had no power, or at times almost as if something were resisting the engine. It made it nearly impossible to accelerate past roughly 40mph and the response in acceleration from the pedal was very unpredictable. A mechanic was able to replicate the issue and…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11744327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11674226 · 2025-07-17 (July 17, 2025)
When accelerating, like when turning from a driveway onto a main road, or from a stop on an incline, there is a significant delay in acceleration, as if the transmission is not moving to a higher gear, or like a turbo lag. This vehicle does not have a turbo but the effect seems similar. This could potentially cause an accident when the driver expects the car to behave as it normally would on a flat straight surface.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11674226 at NHTSA ↗