2023 Kia SORENTO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
118 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
16,850 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 118 complaints (31.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 13.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 12.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 11.0% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 37 |
| Unknown Or Other | 35 |
| Engine | 29 |
| Power Train | 20 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 9 |
| Steering | 7 |
Electrical System: 37; Unknown Or Other: 35; Engine: 29; Power Train: 20; Service Brakes: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 9; Steering: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 106 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 41 |
2022: 1; 2023: 18; 2024: 32; 2025: 26; 2026: 41
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 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 11534290 · 2023-07-25 (July 25, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes spontaneously engaged. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated there was no other vehicles nearby when the failure occurred on several occasions. Additionally, the sunroof was deactivated due to the software being disconnected spontaneously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and informed the contact that the manufacturer needed to be contacted to check the l…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11534290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11540904 · 2023-08-26 (August 26, 2023)
I was driving down the highway on cruise control going 67 on a 65. The car started revving up and then proceeded to go faster. I turned off the cruise control but its continued to speed up. I stomped on the brake 4 or 5 times with no effect. I rammed into the back of a bus at 110 mph.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11540904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518946 · 2023-04-25 (April 25, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently decelerated with the transmission error warning light illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 12,000. The VIN was not available.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11518946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11547541 · 2023-09-30 (September 30, 2023)
Transmission problem arised on/about 9/15/23 and 3,000 miles. There is a distinct shudder when shifting through lower gears, more recently, on/around 4,000 miles l, shudder is growing worse, and there is intermittent problems at highway speeds. This is very dangerous, and could cause an accident/injury at any time. I have been to my local Kia dealership 3 times now, who have flight recorded and concurred with me that its the transmission failing, but have been sent home every time with "we don't know exactly what it is, so keep driving it". The…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11547541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526836 · 2023-06-13 (June 13, 2023)
My passenger interior dash and glove box trim are melted. I’ve had it checked out by Kia, however they do not see where an origin could have come from. The day i noticed it, my vehicle had been hit on the front right passenger fender. The melting looked to be electrical or caused by a combustion of sort but we also believe it could have been caused by reflection off of the interior of my vehicle to that spot. I live in Michigan, the temperature was above 80*.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11578170 · 2024-03-18 (March 18, 2024)
Battery draining on new car after new battery replacement.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11578170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495427 · 2022-11-30 (November 30, 2022)
was driving down road that was dry with sunshinning. Vehicle Traction control then came on breaks went to the floor and steering wheel started to jerk while the car was still going 55 MPH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11555941 · 2023-11-19 (November 19, 2023)
Made several attempts to fix squeaking and rattling in steering column when lane keep assist is engaged. Dealership vehicle was purchased from notified me " we cannot replicate the problem", after driving my vehicle 59 miles. I sent multiple of the issue via email and text message. Finally, the service manager agreed to let her shop foreman do a ride along. At this time, Demontrond Kia acknowledged there was an issue. Demontrond Kia diagnosis was " Found vapor lines vibrating on brake lines causing the noise from steering wheel." Kia technician…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11555941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11551422 · 2023-10-23 (October 23, 2023)
1. I have been complaining about the vehicle turning off by itself. No one is listening to me or telling me what is causing the problem. I have numerous witnesses when the car turns off by itself. It isn’t safe. It could cause a deadly accident. No it’s not the auto shut off either. I have to put the car in park and hope it restarts each time. 2. When auto shut off is in use the vehicle stalls leading it to act like it’s trying to get fuel to move and turns off. I’ve come too close to having accidents. I never know when it will do it. Sometimes…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11551422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590626 · 2024-05-24 (May 24, 2024)
I bought a 2023 Kia Sorento SX with 11 miles on the vehicle in June of 2023, On 7/17/23, within a month and a half of driving it, it would lose all power and would not respond to excelleration, whereby coasting to the side of the road. All warning lights would come on, 3 codes popped up, one of which is the malfunction of the engine. I would turn it off and back on to reset the computer and it would drive. I took it to my local Kia service department and they cleared off the codes and couldn't recreate or duplicate the problem. On 8/23/23 I exp…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11590626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11701108 · 2025-11-23 (November 23, 2025)
Around 35,000 miles the vehicles fuel pump, relay assembly, and smart junction box failed and left my wife stranded. Kia took about 7+ days to diagnose and repair.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11701108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11722647 · 2026-03-07 (March 7, 2026)
UNKNOWN However multiple times the front end of the vehicle starts shaking when I try to break up especially on the highway. The dealership claimed to have repaired it once and shortly after it happened again. When I took it in they first looked and said the parts was ordered but nothing was done then came back and said oh yes it was done then refused to fix it without a charge so I had to pay to repair it since I feared that the brake would give out if I drive it. The other issue was the check engine light just popped up check engine whi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11722647 at NHTSA ↗